NYFW Retreat – Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lounge

I love New York Fashion Week (NYFW) — the people watching, the clothes, the makeup/hair, the backstage passes, and all around fabulousness.  However it does have it’s down side — the weather was cold and icy, and it felt like every show was miles apart.  Everyone assumes NYFW = Bryant Park, but many of the shows were held at alternate venues including Milk Studios, Chelsea Art Museum, The Altman Building, and Exit Art.  Not a fun trek in your Manolo’s.  You’re stuck waiting for a cab in the freezing cold with all the hustle and bustle for a fifteen-minute show.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth every minute, exhausting yes, but when I received an invitation to Robert Verdi’s 2010 Fashion Retreat, I was not about to pass up the opportunity.

Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lounge was beyond my expectations. The style icon was not only charismatic, and full of smiles, but also the most fabulous host.  He thought of everything a girl needed to relax, and escape from all the running around.  From healthy snacks and juices by Blue Print Cleanse, to manicures by Ginger + Liz Nail Polish, to blowouts by Phyto, the haven pampered guests from

― READ ON →

Pretty Connected Backstage at 3.1 Phillip Lim

Post by Melissa Udoff

“Uptown Debbie Harry” served as the inspiration for Phillip Lim at the designer’s 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall/Winter 2010 Collection. “This is a youthful, rebellious look that exudes a strong sense of confidence.  Energy radiates within the girls through their makeup with eyes that have a bit of a rock and roll feel,” said designer Phillip Lim.  Unlike the infamous Mrs. Harry, this Debbie is not exactly the leather-clad, hard-edged girl of a Blondie video.  She has a look that’s classic yet modern, polished but with a hints of rebellion.  She’s definitely got an edge but it’s more unexpected.

HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO

Taking inspiration from this altered state of Debbie, famed hairstylist Odile Gilbert, created a look that was both refined yet Rock & Roll.  Long, voluminous waves had just enough fluff and feather to invoke the spirit of Ms. Harry.  Using all Phyto products Gilbert applied Intense Volume Mousse and created volume by blowdrying hair upside down.   She then used a curling iron to create soft waves and finished with Volume Actif Hair Spray for hold, and #7 Hydrating Cream to seal the ends.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Lisa Butler for NARS Cosmetics

“This look has many layers,” said NARS Cosmetic’s lead artist Lisa Butler. “The eyes are punchy and edgy while the skin was kept healthy and glowing. The lips are a soft, sheer pink for the elegant punk-rock princess style that Phillip was looking for.”  NARS Cosmetics accomplished their goal, keeping the models looking youthful and glowing with light lips but captured the edge in the eyes with a smokier look.

Here’s how to get the look:

FACE

  • Riviera Multiple
  • Douceur Blush (NEW for Fall 2010); try Lovejoy or Madly Blush for a similar effect
  • Luxor Multiple

EYES

  • Abyssinia Single Eyeshadow
  • Nymphea Single Eyeshadow
  • Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2010); try Bali Single Eyeshadow for a similar effect
  • London Eyeliner Pencil

LIPS

  • Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (NEW for Fall 2010); try Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a similar effect

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle used CND Nail Polish

Angi Wingle completed the refined rocker look on nails with a French manicure using Creamy Cameo and Gold Chrome tips.

Pretty Connected Backstage at Malandrino

Malandrino Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by Mongolia and “a vision of earth as seen from above”. Words like, nomadic, tribal, strong, warriors were all part of the vision for the collection and influence for the hair and makeup.

HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO Professional

“The inspiration was a bit of Mongolia and a bit of Africa so what we wanted to create for Catherine, was a little tree on top of the head … in a very organic, natural way” said Gilbert.  “It should be fresh but have the touch of a barbarian girl.”

Gilbert began by applying ‘Intense Volume Mousse’ and ‘Actif Volumizing Spray’ to create a dry, matte texture.  While the hair dried, the stylist aggressively massaged the roots using her hands to add volume. ‘Fiber Paste’ was then added to create even more texture before hair was swept and bound on the top of the head. Next, Gilbert sprayed ‘Workable Holding Spray’ to add a strong hold.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Tom Pecheux for M.A.C

“My inspiration came from Catherine, she got inspired by Mongolia, and the beauty of the women there … so I created a powerful eyebrow, shaped eyes, and high cheeks.  I darkened the eyebrow, but nothing on the upper eyelid, and no mascara.  Everything is happening in the bottom with the bronze color and black eye pencil.” –Tom Pecheux

To achieve the look, Pecheux applied M.A.C eyeshadow in Tarnished Bronze to the lower eyelid, with Eye Kohl Pencil in Smolder to elongate eyes. For a powerful brow, Carcoal Brown eyeshadow was applied.  For an even complexion and fresh face, M.A.C Face and Body Foundation, Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, and Blot Loose Powder was applied to the face followed by M.A.C Contour Bronzer Powder to accentuate the cheekbone. Pecheux then applied M.A.C Lipstick in Folio on the model’s lips to complete the look.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle for CND Nail Polish

To compliment the collection, Angi Wingle created a bark hued manicure textured to look like leather using CND Nail Polish in

― READ ON →

Pretty Connected backstage at Mandy Coon

Post by Heather Wilson

Backstage at the Mandy Coon Fall 2010 show during New York Fashion Week, Dimitrios Tsioumas, lead stylist from Mizu New York, and his team created the fabulous looks featured in the show.

Dimitrios Tsioumas worked with Mandy Coon to develop a sleek, low, defined French twist for the models using 3 Goldwell products; ‘Hot Darling’, ‘Big Finish’, and ‘Supervisor’.  Starting with ‘Hot Darling’, a lightweight thermal protectant, is used to prep the hair while blow-drying it out.  This is followed by ‘Big Finish’, a volume hairspray that sets the hair.  Tsioumas then finished the look with ‘Supervisor,’ a pomade that omits flyaway, and leaves a beautiful matte finish. The sophisticated look of the hair was perfectly complimented with a very clean, bold, red lip by M.A.C.

All of this was to help show off the beautiful flowing fashions by Mandy Coon. There was a soft drape, to a fitted gown, flowing hoods, and scrunched layers. The tulip cut to the skirts was very nicely hung, and a great fitted jacket made with military inspired Capulet shoulders.

― READ ON →

1...658659660...689Page 659 of 689