By Heather Wilson, Guest Blogger and Fashion Week Correspondent
“I kept looking back to a moment with my grandmother in a department store. There was a gumball machine that I wanted, but the only one left was housed in a box that was a bit damaged. The idea of something slightly distressed, but still beautiful intrigued me. The colors are warm – there’s a 70s sensibility but in an American sportswear way, ” said designer, Giovanna Randall for her inspiration for the Honor Fall 2011 collection.
James Pecis of Bumble and bumble and lead hair stylist for the show was going for a look that was “light, fluffy, with static fly away hair”. Using all Bumble and bumble products, he began by using Thickening Spray, to help give the hair body and lift for when he blew out the style. Once the hair was curled, he kept the curl soft, and moveable with the Spray de Mode Hairspray.
The other two other must have products to always have on hand for a perfectly styled look is Bumble and bumble’s Surf Spray and Texture Cream. They give your hair that “second day after washing your hair look, and holdability,” said Pecis.
The look for the show was finished off with a makeup look designed by NARS CosmeticsInternational Lead Makeup Artist James Boehmer. “The look is very punky, sort of like a London ‘club kid,’ but there’s a romantic
According to the World Bank, the economic empowerment and financial independence of women is one of the greatest drivers of sustainable poverty alleviation in the developing world. Additionally 70% of people living in poverty are women and despite research that shows women who are financially independent can be the greatest agents of change in their communities, only 2% of all international aid money goes to them. Which is why skincare company, Dermalogica has partnered with Kiva.org (the world’s largest personal microlending website) to help alleviate poverty and created FITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), a global campaign that promotes gender equality, and helps boost stagnant economies by offering women entrepreneurs in low-income regions of the United States and 56 other countries micro loans.
“We know that the economic empowerment of women is one of the greatest levers for positive social change. What is particularly thrilling about FITE is the opportunity it provides to give that lever a multiplier effect,” says Jane Wurwand, Founder of Dermalogica. As a blogger, I do see (and write about) a lot of philanthropic initiatives, and consider myself a big advocate of giving back—but I often find it difficult seeing this change. There are so many causes, humanitarian, environmental or otherwise and it feels like just when we ban together to help rebuild one natural disaster, another one hits. At times it can all be rather discouraging but having had the opportunity to meet Jane and hear about her journey to start Dermalogica as well as her devotion to FITE to bring about real change gives me hope.
At the beginning of the month I posted about Jo Malone’s NEW Limited Edition Tea Fragrance Blends ($55), which came in five flavors, Assam & Grapefruit, Earl Grey & Cucumber, Fresh Mint Leaf, Sweet Lemon and Sweet Milk; which can either be worn alone or layered on top of each other. I also updated the post to include an invitation to High Tea with Jo Malone in honor of the launch. Hopefully some of you were able to make it! Having previewed the Fresh Mint Leaf and Sweet Milk fragrances I was anxious to experience the rest of the collection –especially since they were expected to sell out by April!
Prior to attending the event, my experience with Jo Malone has been rather limited. A candle here, a sample there, but mostly I’ve admired them from afar. My enjoyment of the brand has mostly come from press they have received or from their counters at Saks Fifth Avenue where I’d marvel at the packaging. To be honest, I find fragrance shopping overwhelming. I like to hear about a scent, go to a store that carries it, try it on, walk around for an hour, then decide if I like it enough to go
The picky girl in me wishes this was a burnout, rocker, v-neck tee (that looks like it had partied all night with Charlie Sheen), but that doesn’t negate from the hilarity of the messaging.
And amidst all the Charlie Sheen controversy Jac Vanek is genius for creating this t-shirt. Do you realize how many people joined twitter alone just to follow Charlie Sheen’s tweets? Okay, neither do I, but it’s a lot! The limited edition ‘I PARTIED WITH CHARLIE SHEEN’ t-shirt ($24) is available in Small, Medium, or Large Adult unisex sizes. To pre-order yours, visit JacVanek.com
Rachael Szporn, Lara Eurdolian (me!), Richie Rich
Speaking of partying last night, I did with designer, Richie Rich at The Fifth Annual Texas Hold’Em Poker Night to benefit The Children’s Storefront (check them out, they’re amazing!). While the rest of the room was gambling, we we’re busy sitting on chairs we shouldn’t have sat on, doing tequila shots I’d rather forget, dancing by ourselves and having the loveliest time. Although I expect it’s next to impossible not to have a great time with Richie Rich– he’s so welcoming and fun oriented. He loves his glitter and I love him. Now how do I get an ‘I Partied with Richie Rich’ t-shirt? Preferably one with lots and lots of glitter?
Richie Rich
Cheers to you Richie Rich, thank you for making my night!
Presented by the National Association of Sustainable Fashion Designers, Fashion Ideas is a monthly educational series for Fashion companies and individuals in the business that focus on sustainability and business related topics. It’s an amazing resource for anyone in the industry –or looking to break in.
This months topic – Behind the Seams with Pretty Birdie Designer, Stephaine Teague. Learn how she got started and what it takes to escape the 9 to 5 as a designer. She will share fabric resources, how to successfully sell on Etsy, tips on hiring help in your business, and more! Plus you’ll get a sneak preview of the Pretty Birdie Collection.
Title: Fashion Ideas: Behind the Seams with Pretty Birdie Designer, Stephanie Teague
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. If you’d like to be added to their newsletter to hear about upcoming events, email them at [email protected] (next month’s presentation
Nicole Miller Fall 2011 Collection. Photo Credit: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.comZoolander "Blue Steel" -is it just me?
There’s something so New York about Nicole Miller’s designs, I’m such a fan of her clothes so getting a seat at her Fall 2011 show was very exciting for me. As I mentioned before one of the major trends coming out of New York Fashion Week were predominantly black and gray garments with a pop of color. Although the pieces in Nicole Miller’s collection we’re very unique, this vogue was evident through her use of persimmon red and cerulean blue (think Zoolander “Blue Steel”) in the color palette.
Check out my footage of the finale of the show!
The collection was very avant-garde with fitted silhouettes that had geometric shapes, bold edges and angled curves. With the exception of a few strapless dresses, Miller went with a higher
Jason Wu Fall 2011 Collection. Photo Credit: Imaxtree
I have a sweet spot for Jason Wu, not only because he’s brilliant, but also because I had the honor of attending his first runway show back in 2006; when Fashion Week was held at Bryant Park and he was the new kid on the blog. I don’t remember every detail from the show, only that I walked in not knowing who he was, and walked out with an ever-lasting impression of his work. So in 2009, when Michelle Obama choose to wear Wu for her inaugural gown, it felt like such a warranted success. I haven’t been to his show since, so I felt very fortunate enough to be able to cover his Fall/Winter 2011 fashion collection and share it will all of you!
Jason Wu Fall 2011 Collection. Photo Credit: ImaxtreeJason Wu Runway at 2011 Fall/Winter Fashion Show
For this collection, Jason Wu was inspired by the photographs taken by Robert Polidori in his book “Parcours Museologique Revister,” which documented the restoration of Versailles. As you will notice from the video (posted below), his show began with more traditional sportswear; tailored pants, and jackets then segues into evening wear, before the grand finale of this long, bright pink, silk chiffon strapless gown. While the strong change in silhouette, palette and fabrication would generally make this collection not feel so cohesive, it was the progression of his clothing and the accents of embroidery and lace he embedded within the pieces that really converged it all together. I also really like this little, black, feminine bow-tie he’s introduced.
Makeup by MAC, Nails by CND
What always stands out about Jason Wu is his attention to detail. His ability to carry over this baroque theme went beyond the clothing. We saw it in the hair, makeup, nails—all the way to the stage. He had this incredible custom runway, which looked like antique mirrors.
Roxanne Valinoti for CND created the nails for the runway show. She fashioned a gold gilded burgundy manicure using two coats of CND Dark Ruby layered with one coat of Bloodline, and gilded with Gold Chrome on the tips. To create this look at home, simply put the Gold Chrome shade on first, then apply those French Manicure stickers on the tips and paint over it with the remaining colors. Then peel the sticker off to reveal the gold tips and voila!
Makeup face chart by MAC
These manicures matched the burgundy shoes we saw on the runway and complimented the slicked back twisted low ponytails (with a flash of gold leaf accent) hair look created by Odile for Aveda.
As for the makeup, the look was created by Diane Kendal for M.A.C. Cosmetics, I mean look at this gorgeous intense gold highlighted, deeply shadowed
Wow, what a week! Fashion Week had me in a complete daze. I can’t believe it’s over and I have hardly had any time to post about it. I’ve seen so many incredible shows from Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu, Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Herve Leger, Milly, Mandy Coon, Daniel Vosovic…and so many more! And what have I done since it ended on the 17th? Sleep. Seriously, all I did last night was put on over-sized sweatpants, devoured a big bowl of pasta (I felt like a ran a marathon this weekend), and watched movies until I passed out –all from the comfort of my bed. It was an amazing week, but unbelievable exhausting.
I'm so excited! Lara (me) with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler at IFB
I learned a lot about scheduling considering I was overly zealous with my calendar and how much I could handle. I actually believed that I would come home everyday, post about the shows I saw and be disciplined and in a functional routine. Instead, I was running from one location to the next, hosting backstage interviews, taking footage and of course the best part, getting to watch them live. It gave me a reason to wake up in the morning, pirate my
In all the printed materials, you’ll see Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week listed as February 10-17. However, it really opens the night before with The Heart Truth’s Red Dress collection. It’s the show that has celebrities and high profile women walk the runway in red dresses by various designers on behalf of The Heats Truth, a national awareness campaign that warns women about heart disease.
Backstage with Eve (in David Meister)
Lucky me, I started the evening backstage with sponsors Bumble and Bumble and Bobbi Brown who were doing the hair and makeup for the show and got a sneak preview of Suzanne Somers, Dita Von Teese, Giuliana Rancic, Eve, Camila Alves, Ann Curry, and Gayle King in their gowns!
Backstage with Suzanne Somers (in Ina Soltani)
I was cheering on the inside when I saw Suzanne Somers–I’ve been watching her since Three’s Company through her thighmaster infomercials, I think my excitement was warranted. Especially in her adorable Ina Soltani mini dress that
Event: BULLETT + Jessica White Co-Host Fashion Week Kick-Off Event When: February 9th Venue: BULLETT Loft, NYC
BULLETT Magazine kicked off Fashion Week with an exclusive event, hosted by Jessica White to celebrate the launch of their inaugural edition, Volume 1: The Premiere Issue. Jessica is featured in the issue baring it all (except for a black rose Colin Yeo hat and Louboutin’s); I like her tattoos.
BULLETT is a quarterly unisex fashion and lifestyle magazine that features fashion, art, film, music and travel by way of fashion spreads, designer and celebrity interviews and travel and artist features.
Cindy Crawford graced the cover of the premiere issue, and looks absolutely stunning in her 10-page spread. The fashion photography alone is worth owning a copy, and the styling is phenomenal (I’m still stuck on the Cindy Crawford lay outs). I was also happy to see an interview with Simon Spurr included. He’s one of the male designers I’m covering for fashion
“I kept looking back to a moment with my grandmother in a department store. There was a gumball machine that I wanted, but the only one left was housed in a box that was a bit damaged. The idea of something slightly distressed, but still beautiful intrigued me. The colors are warm – there’s a 70s sensibility but in an American sportswear way, ” said designer, Giovanna Randall for her inspiration for the Honor Fall 2011 collection.
