The room was buzzing as the grand piano played at the presentation for NAHM, the line of Alexandra Hilfiger (daughter of you know who) and Nary Manivong. In it’s second season the duo presented a collection of boxy dresses with drop waist skirts, delicate blouses with ruffle trim, skirts with varying hemlines, in modern, youthful cuts.
Looking to the past, the duo took their inspiration from the 20’s and ancient Egypt. It was a strong showing and I loved the hieroglyphic print dresses, featuring tiny ancient Egyptians engaging in very modern activities: trimming hedges with giant shears, toting shopping bags, cruising on skateboards. The shoes, contrast platforms in coordinating prints, and black suede, were a great addition to the look.
Vintage-centic NAHM featured a “Sugared Neutral” nail with pink undertones. This color was custom blended by CND‘s Angi Wingle, but can be recreated at home by layering CND Colour in Desert Suede with one coat of CND Colour in Marshmallow Rose, topped with CND Super Matte Top Coat. Strong nude nails looked flawless with minty green wingtipped eyes by MAC and glamorous ’20s ‘dos by Aveda amidst punchy plum and eclectic green patterned fabrics.
As October winds down there are quite a few promotions and partnerships that are only valid through the end of the month. First off fashion/beauty trend experts, Refinery29 have partnered with skincare brand, skyn ICELAND to bring us the Exclusive R29 Brighten Up Kit for $39 (retail value $90). Targeted to replenish, renew and brighten skin in 3 easy steps, the kit includes a deluxe-sixed Pure Cloud Cleanser, with 100%muslin cloth, deluxe-sized Pure Cloud Cream, full-sized Arctic Brightening Serum, and a reusable coated canvas skin ICELAND bag. Offer ends 11/1 and is is available on http://reserve.refinery29.com/offer/145/skyn-iceland
Also as Breast Cancer Awareness month comes to a close, there’s still a few days left to take advantage of the great products companies have created to raise money for research to irradiate this disease. Earlier this month I posted a more complete list of BCA products (click HERE if you missed that post). Additionally below are some highlights and a few new ones we’ve come across. Please note all the below offers below are valid through October 31st.
Aveda is bringing back their Limited-Edition Pink Ribbon Hand Relief offering $4 for every purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to support cruelty-free research.
Dior launched their 4th annual Dior Online Auction with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Look Good Feel Better. Fans can visit www.diorauction.com to bid on items to support this cause in three categories: Luxe Trips, Elite Experiences and Lavish Products.
Stila – Get empowered in pink with Stila’s limited-edition Positive and Pretty Palette featuring four award-winning Eye Shadows, a Cheek Color and a Highlighter. A mirror is included for on-the-go application and a detailed face chart offers how-to tips and tricks. 10% of the proceeds will go to a variety of BCA charities including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Price: $14 (a $62 value).
Cricket has created a limited edition link of Pink Power hair styling toolsincluding hair dryers and flat irons, with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to Breast Cancer Research.
Fergie FootwearAWARENESS Shoe ($79.99) – Created by Fergie herself to support Breast Cancer Awareness, the 4 inch hot pink sparkly pump put our office in an ordering frenzy (ho great do these look on our colleague, Yadi?). Available on www.fergieshoes.com, the company is donating $20,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in connection with this program.
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
The room was buzzing as the grand piano played at the presentation for NAHM, the line of Alexandra Hilfiger (daughter of you know who) and Nary Manivong. In it’s second season the duo presented a collection of boxy dresses with drop waist skirts, delicate blouses with ruffle trim, skirts with varying hemlines, in modern, youthful cuts.
Stila – Get empowered in pink with 
