The Stars of MECCA MAX’s Mardi Gras Campaign On Queerness, Self-Expression and Inclusion
January 27 | 4 minute watch
As Told To Ruby Devlin
Returning as the Official Makeup Partner for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025, MECCA MAX is back to celebrate the beauty of self-expression, step-in-step with our shimmering community.
As well as showing up at Fair Day, Sissy Ball and the iconic Parade through the streets of Sydney (more details below), MECCA MAX is also thrilled to feature six LGBTQIA+ MECCA store team members in the 2025 Mardi Gras campaign.
Headlining this year’s beauty look is the new limited-edition Shade Parade Marbled Eyeshadow Duo, with 10 percent of proceeds donated to Minus18, Australia's charity improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ young people.
Here to tell their story and share what Mardi Gras means to them in their own words, meet the stars of this year's campaign.
Operations Specialist Dean is Marching For Visibility
It’s also a chance to unite as a community and express your authentic self without the fear of judgment.
I celebrate my queerness through self-expression, using makeup and playing the trumpet as tools to communicate my emotions. The limitless possibilities of creating a look or musical performance make them deeply self-affirming, allowing me to express vulnerability to the world around me.
This campaign has been a powerful source of validation for me. Like many in the LGBTQIA+ community, I have sometimes felt that being different makes me less deserving and desirable. However, this experience has reminded me to never take my queerness for granted, as there is beauty in my uniqueness.”
Colour Specialist Willow is Marching For Inclusivity
“I celebrate queerness through gender expression and artistry. I love playing with colour and taking inspiration from queer icons and the drag community.
This year I'm marching for inclusivity, especially for the trans community. My community has faced constant ridicule for simply existing so I'm marching to show we're just like you.
In the past three years at MECCA, I’ve embraced my trans identity and explored my gender expression. Being a part of this campaign lets me give back and show my gratitude to everyone who's supported me along the way.
I want to show young queer people it's okay to live openly. People will love and accept you.”
Operations Specialist Nic is Marching For Creativity
“To me, Mardi Gras means strength and unity. It’s a celebration of love, a time to remember what generations before us fought for and a chance to honour those who have since passed.
Even in today's day and age, there are people being denied the right to love and be exactly who they are. They face adversity, bigotry and shame. I want to march for those people.
Makeup for me is a way to celebrate my queerness. I’m quite an introverted person, so I paint a colourful and exciting new look every day as a form of self-expression that I struggle to verbalise.
I take heavy inspiration from drag culture and I learnt how to apply makeup from drag performers. So not only do I paint to inspire and encourage, but also to pay homage to those queer icons that inspired and encouraged me.”
Zone Manager Jordan Is Marching For Representation
To me Mardi Gras means acceptance and celebration – without judgement. I’ll be marching for freedom and expression of self.
Being part of this campaign means everything to me. I’m getting to show off my confidence and reflect on my progress.”
Colour Specialist Lydia is Marching For Trans Rights
Uplifting marginalised parts of our community is such a huge part of Mardi Gras and I want to highlight that while trans people are often at the forefront of our community’s activism, they continue to face incredible challenges.
I want to honour their resilience and advocate for a future where they feel fully supported and celebrated!
Mardi Gras is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come – while recognising how much work there’s still to do – and the power of community.”
Floor Manager Felix is Marching For Self-Realisation
“Representing my community with a brand that has been integral in making me feel safe, secure and accepted in my identity is a dream come true!
Mardi Gras to me is an unabashed celebration of identity and diversity, where all are welcome and encouraged to be themselves to the greatest degree.
[Queerness] doesn’t need performance or exerted effort, it just takes encouragement for everyone to be free to be and do what brings them the most joy and makes them feel the most themselves.
It feels full circle to get to be the person that helps younger queer people find community.”
Your Guide to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras with MECCA MAX
Keen to join the celebration and march to the beat of your own drum? Consider this your official guide to the MECCA MAX x Sydney Mardi Gras events this month. Join us as we cheer for a brighter and bolder future.
FAIR DAY
Join us at the MECCA MAX Beauty School to brush up on your makeup 101, get a colour-popping express service and spin-to-win some shimmering MECCA MAX makeup products. Everyone’s a winner!
When: From 10:00am Sunday 16 February
Where: The Arena, Victoria Park
No booking required
PARADE
Step-in-step, we’re marching to the beat of our own drums for a beauty-filled future! Come cheer on the glittering MECCA MAX community as we light up the official Mardi Gras Parade.
When: From 7:00pm Saturday 1 March
Where: Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade Darlinghurst, Sydney
No booking required
BEAUTY LABS
Get into the Mardi Gras spirit with a MECCA MAX Beauty Lab at select NSW and Auckland, NZ stores. Perfect your Mardi Gras look with tips from a MECCA makeup artist and shine bright, however you are celebrating.
Book now
