Marcelo Gutierrez is awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design for redefining beauty standards in the industry through his subversive and culturally grounded makeup artistry. Gutierrez has become known for his bold work with iconic figures in fashion and for a commitment to honoring legacy while creating space for new forms of recognition.

“My art is always in service of expanding beauty’s visual language and pushing the conversation forward, grounded in storytelling, cultural reflection, and identity,” Gutierrez says.

Now an editorial makeup artist based in New York City, Gutierrez has built a distinctive practice over the past decade. He was recently appointed Global Beauty Editor-at-Large for i-D magazine.

An immigrant from Colombia, Gutierrez came to Miami in 1998 as a refugee with his mother, father, and brother. Raised in a creative home, Gutierrez spent his youth exploring performance art and film. At 20, he left school and moved to New York to seek a more immersive education. Without access to wealth or industry connections, he carved his own path with collectives like Hood by Air and Dis (now Torso Solutions).

During his early days in New York, Gutierrez absorbed himself in downtown nightlife. Club culture became both a vital meeting point for creatives and a place where the artist could freely experiment with makeup on himself. He began sharing his art on Instagram, which led to meaningful collaborations, including with photographer Renell Medrano.

In 2023, he received Best Artist of the Year at the Latin American Fashion Awards and in 2024, Gutierrez released Nothing Precious, his debut publication, featuring Gabbriette, Paloma Elsesser, Lourdes Leon, and Joan Smalls. With a foreword by Lily-Rose Depp, the book celebrates the community and creativity that shaped his practice.

His breakthrough moments include creating Madonna’s makeup for her 2025 Met Gala return after a six-year absence. Gutierrez also did makeup for Linda Evangelista for Perfect magazine, serving as both creative director and makeup artist for New York Magazine‘s The Cut.

Gutierrez’s client list includes Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, i-D, W Magazine, and campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Willy Chavarria. He has worked with artists including Troye Sivan, Bella Hadid, Rosalía, and Tokischa.

Awards and Accomplishments

Fashion Artist of the Year – Latin American Fashion Awards, Dominican Republic (2024)