Oh, How Bittersweet! Last Day of Fashion Week...

I am forever in eternal bliss attending fashion week this week and having the opportunity to experience a totally different world from what I am used to. I think I've expressed this before that I love all things fashion and it was great to see how shows are prepared first hand. I've met so many people (Jay McCarroll, Nigel Barker, Martha Stewart, Andre Leon Talley, Vanessa, Angela and Russy Simmons, Kelly Osborn, Jay Alexander...to name a few), and made great connections and I think going to Fashion Week not only opened my eyes on how designers and their team prepare shows, but also opened the door for me to pursue my career in fashion. I am eternally grateful.

Thanks Ana, and Heather for being great point-people and making me feel comfortable in a mound of chaos called "Call-time", thanks to Guido, John Ruidant, Hanan, Yannick, Italo, Odile Gilbert, Christian McCulloch, Pat McGrath, Fulvia, Polly Osmond, Ayako, David Cruz, Diane, Rodney Cutler, Nancy Morena for being such great participants when asked, "So...what's the look?"

All-in-all I had a great time, brushed up on my interviewing skills, and grew tougher skin--Fashion Week is definitely not for the weak and/or "inassertive".

For the Sophisticates: Carmen Marc Valvo

The hair and make-up for the Carmen Marc Valvo show was very different from earlier shows that I've attended. In an earlier post I remember writing that being a minimalist for Spring '09 is the way to go. Well Tom Pecheux, lead make-up artist for Carmen Marc Valvo showed that striking dark eyes for Spring is still in and beautiful! "Fashion is back to sexy women," says Pecheux. Pecheux made the face matte except for the lips and eyebrows, and made the eyes dark and dramatic.



Hair coincided with the make-up, very sleek and sophisticated. Odile Gilbert, for Redken, sprayed damp hair with Redken's iron silk 07, due out in November, before straightening. She then pulls the hair back into a tight pony-tail and makes a sleek chignon in the shape of an "O". She secures the chignon with a clamp, and sprays the hair with Redken's forceful 23 to diminish fly-aways.

Phi Show Photos

Here are photos from the Phi Show:

PHI Fie Foe Fum: Effortless Beauty

PHI's backstage area was really cool. The show actually took place at the showroom, so I was able to see where a lot of their garments are made. There were sewing machines and mannequins everywhere--I don't know if I'm weird or what, but I love mannequins! I think they're really cool!


I had an opportunity to speak with Guido, Creative Consultant for Redken, to get the inside scoop of the hair for the show. It is a very simple blow-dried style, that looks very natural. Guido first dampens the hair and applies blown away 09, which will be available in November, to the hair and then blow dries. "You don't always have to go crazy with you hair to make a statement," Guido says. Duly noted.


Make-up coincided with hair. "It's more about the skin," says lead make-up artist, Diane Kendal, "I want to enhance their [models] natural beauty." She gave the skin a "dewy" look, and applied a soft brown contour eyeshadow to the lid. A thin black line to the eye to look like the model's not wearing any make-up, a tad blush and the look is complete!


The trend I've noticed for hair and make-up these past couple of shows is very simple, and clean. Spring and Summer is all about light-weight make-up and fabrics. No dark eyes, lips and definitely no bright red cheeks. A little shimmer, and gloss is perfect for Spring '09!

Betsy Johnson Photos

Check out my slideshow of photos I took at the Betsy Johnson Show:

Dollhouse Rock!!

I have to say, out of all the shows I've been to so far Betsey Johnson's sure does take the cake...wait--she gave cake! Cupcake that is!! Backstage was like a nightclub, equipped with a DJ playing hot techno/electro tunes, balloons everywhere, and illustrated posters! Even though it was a hectic time for everyone, I can tell they all had a good time. To me Betsey is a great, fun, energetic designer that satisfies the fashion eccentric of their unique high fashion taste. Her show definitely showed her fun-loving nature. The theme of the show seemed to be a cross between punk and doll. Betsey starts the show by coming out of the two red French doors separating the backstage to the runway with her two granddaughters, she hands them to her daughter Lulu on the front row, waves to the crowd and then walks backstage.


The models' make-up and hair made them look like life-size dolls strutting the runway. Lead stylist for Redken, Italo Gregorio, decided to give the models a classic bob cut with a twist--colorful wigs. Blue, pink, purple, black and white wigs donned the models accompanied by brimmed hats.

Gregorio first braided the models real hair around the head. Prior to placing on the head, the wigs are first steamed to get bone-straight. After the wigs are placed on the head, Italo then cuts them into bobs stopping right at the chin. Italo then applies spray starch 15 by Redken to flatten out the top of the hair. "You can only achieve this look with certain types of products," says Italo, "Redken's spray starch is great for that." Afterwards, Italo sprays workforce 09 to the hair while blow-drying from the bottom, to make the hair lift up from the chin. The final step is to spray -iron silk 07. Iron silk 07, as well as the re-packaged spray starch will be available in November.


"I wanted to make a real girl look like a doll," said lead Makeup Forever cosmetics make-up artist, Fulvia. Fulvia made the face a patch lighter than the real skin color to give a doll-like look. she then uses white eyeshadow all over lid, with fake eyelashes cut 1/4 in. uncurled. She applies hot pink blush to the cheek, and a soft pink lip in the shape of a heart. She finished the look by drawing four lines on the bottom lid to simulate lashes.

Whimsical Beauty Part III

Gottex's 2009 Swimwear line was lavish. Designer Gideon Oberson used lots of gold, shimmery, and metallic peach fabric for his swimwear. Lead make-up artist for MAC cosmetics, Philippe Chansel, wanted to stay with the golden beach look by not adding any dark harsh colors to the face, like black an dark brown. The models are sprayed with bronzers to give off the sun-kissed look. Chansel applied gold paint to the eye called MAC Pro Pigment to make the eye look like gold metal. Chansel also applied false eye lashes to have the eyes pop out on the runway. A simple, glossy lip plumper was applied to finished the look.


"I want to create an authentic wet, smooth pony-tail," says Hanan Shauriki, lead stylist for Redken. Shauriki applies spray starch 15 to the hair while curling. He then pulls the hair back and makes a side pony-tail. The hair is then sprayed with quick dry 18 and forceful 23 to secure the curls. The pony-tail is then pinned into a bun, and the top of the pony-tail is smoothed-over with Blonde Glam Crystal Flash to create a wet look.

Whimsical Beauty Part II

John Ruidant, lead Redken stylist, styled multiple looks for Chris Benz's Spring/Summer '09 show. "The hair is an All-American, military rebel with and hint of innocence," say Ruidant. Ruidant achieved this look by leaving most of the hair down or in a loose ponytail with a center part. The hair is then sprayed with a little Redken hot sets 22, curled, then spritzed some fabricate 03. For the loose pony-tail look, Ruidant pulls fly-aways to have a more "lived-in" look, "It shouldn't look too much like a hairdresser worked on the hair," says Ruidant.


"Innocent Revolutionary" was the title for Ayako's, lead make-up artist for NARS, vision. She used lots of iridescent oranges and golds on the eye that gives the face an innocent look, with a peachy-nude gloss for the lips. The shadows used for the Chris Benz show is apart of NARS' new season collection that will be available to the public Spring '09.

Products available Spring '09:

• Night Sun eyeshadow
• Multiple eyeshadow pallet "Orgasm"
• Hungry Heart Eyeshadow

Whimsical Beauty

Peter Som's Spring line is all about the woman being airy, whimsical, light and free.To achieve this care-fee look, Redken Creative Consultant, Guido, styled the hair messy with a little height in the front. "It's a sexy beach look," says Guido. "It doesn't matter if you see the bobby pins". Guido first applied spray starch 15 to the hair followed by a rough blow dry to make the hair look not so styled. He then pinned the top half of the hair with bobby pins to secure the look.


Lead make-up artist for Max Factor cosmetics, Pat McGrath, described the models' faces as, "sunny, glowing, healthy skin." She applied light pink and gold to the cheek and a beige/pink gloss. McGrath also applied 2000 Calorie Mascara due out January 2009. 2000 Calorie Mascara actually curls your lashes while applying!

Other products McGrath used:

• Vivid Impact Lipstick - a rich, creamy, moisturizing lip color

All That Sparkles Was Gold at Twinkle Show

Twinkle Show:

• Flowing fabrics in satin, and light linen
• Open-toe booties
• Black and white printed dresses
• Cuffed shorts
• High-waisted A-line skirts

Starlight, Star Bright: Twinkle's Beauty

Classic Parisian was all the craze for Twinkle's Spring/Summer '09 show. Relaxed classic French twists with a modern look was John Ruidant's, lead Redken Session Stylist, inspiration. First he added fabricate 03 heat-active texturizer which activates the texture and definition of the hair, however still leaving it clean and light. He then teased the hair while spraying sections with workforce 09--a light holding spray -- brushed the hair back, leaving the bouffant and then pins the hair back.



Make-up, created by lead make-up artist Christian McCulloch for MAC Cosmetics', was very soft, with a clean face, no blush, coral-fruity looking glossy lip. The eyes were done with a puddy-color grey shadow with soft metallic pearl-colored shadow applied to the inner corner of the eye. A little mascara, and you have a light, fresh, summer look for '09!


Chrisitian McCulloch used:

• Slim Shine "Missy" lip color
• Eyeshadow "Vex"

Tuleh Fashion Show

Check out the photos I took from the Tuleh Fashion Week show:

Old Hollywood Meets Modern Style

For the ten-year anniversary of Tuleh, the Spring/Summer '09 line was a blast from the past...and the present! Bryan Bradley's concept was inspired by old hollywood glamour. The hair and make-up coincide with the garments.

Hair:

After speaking with Lead Redken Stylist, Yannick D's, the look of the hair was inspired by Rita Hayworth, however more fresh, modern and unkept. He curled the top of the models' hair with a 1/2 in. curling iron after spraying a little workforce 09 by Redken to hold the curls in place without making the hair stiff. "Workforce 09 is a light spray that won't weigh the hair down," said Rodney Cutler of Redken Salon, "It will also leave the hair light and shiny."

The hair is then sprayed with vinyl glam 02 by Redken that leaves and extra shimmer to the hair, that gives it a very modern look. The hair is then rolled in aluminum foil to keep the curls. After removing the aluminum foil, the curls are brushed out using a soft bristol brush.



Make-up

Lead make-up artist for MAC cosmetics, Polly Osmond, wanted the face to look classic with red lips, bulging gold eye, and blush that sweeps up to the hairline. "The gold on the eye will really pop out on the runway," said Osmond.

Achieve this look with:

• Pigment eyeshadow Rose Gold by MAC Cosmetics
• Dubbonet Lipstick by MAC Cosmetics
• Frankly Scarlet Powder Blush by MAC Cosmetics

Meticulously Lax

The presentation for GAP's Spring/Summer '09 line was near perfect. The models were standing on the platform like Greek statues while make-up artist put in the final touches. This call-time experience was a little more lax compared to Abaete, however it was just as meticulous- making sure the lighting was at a 45 degree angle on each model to focus on the garments, and the models hands and feet where choreographed appropriately to coincide with the concept of the presentation--"young, relaxed, and care-free".

Lead Designer of GAP and once contributing designer for Target's Go International line, Patrick Robinson, has outdone himself for the Spring/Summer '09 line for GAP. The line is full of crisp white linen jackets, dresses and pants, accented with brightly colored tops, hats, bags, platform and boat shoes. Women's bathing suits are compiled of bright color-blocks of green, purple, yellow and pink. Come Spring season at GAP you will be "springing" full bloom!!

The Look:

• Relaxed, "Lake House" look
• Long, cuffed chinos
• Boat hats and shoes
• Strappy Platform Shoes
• Hobo Bags
• Bright color-block bathing suits
• Flowing dresses

Abaete: The Look

Make-up:
Make-up artist Nancy Morena of Stila told me how to re-create the look of the Abaeté:

1. Clean illuminating skin, that gives off a “just out of the shower” look achieved by using Illuminating Liquid Foundation by Stila Cosmetics.

2. A real sophisticated , smoldering eye using Smoking Eye Pallet by Stila

3. Muted, natural lips






Hair:

Lead Stylist of Redken, David Cruz, wanted to achieve a clean, sleek look by pulling the hair back into a low, tight bun, and running through the hair with fingers using a little electric wax 11 shine fused texturizer by Redken.





Fashion:
There were lots of pale yellows, blues and bright pinks on the runway with a few all black ensembles peppered in. The look was very fun, flirty, and rocker chic. Most garments had geometric prints and shapes and according to Abaeté, leggings are still in!

Fashion: Chaos

My experience of the first show of the week was so fantastical! Walking to the Salon I run into Season One winner of Project Runway, Jay McCarroll!! Of course, I had to take a picture with him! I told him I loved his shades and he said I was too cute with my pearls! lol



The Call Time for Abaeté was such beautiful chaos! The make-up and hair room was a world-wind of people. Make-up artists to my left, hair stylists to my right, the design team all in black coordinating the outfits to the front, models chatting, while getting their hair and make-up done, video camera operators and journalists in every direction--I could hardly move!! Being back stage, interviewing hair stylists and make-up artist was a blast. It took about two hours to prepare for the show. Hair and make-up in the back, lighting and music, chair configuration, etc. in the front; it was a great experience, and I can’t believe I have a whole week of this!

In a Fashion Week State of Mind

So here it is! The week of the first day of Fashion Week and I’m on the edge of my seat, my bed, the stairs…everything! I’m mentally preparing for probably one of the best weeks of my life. I received my schedule, travel and hotel arrangements. I was extremely happy to find out that I’ll be staying at The Muse Hotel. It’s extremely posh and modern, with crisp white walls and linens contrasts by mahogany furnishings and floors. I was also excited because I found out P. Diddy’s protégé Day 26 were staying there during the taping of Making the Band 4, so I know this place is something spectacular.

I attempted to go shopping the weeks following receiving my schedule, trying to figure out what is Fashion Week appropriate; but I was warned that I would be on my feet a lot, so I guess wearing my typical 4 1/2 inch heels is NOT an option. Ultimately I decided to coordinate my outfits with the shows I will attending—accompanied by flats of course. For example, Twinkle is more whimsical, and vibrant, with chunky knits, sweaters, scarves, caps, even tuxedo jackets. However, it is extremely feminine and delicate. Betsy Johnson is fun, colorful, flirty and edgy but still in her own way, sophisticated. So I’m loading my bag with scarves, a tulle skirt, green stockings, and a black blazer! There are more shows I need to coordinate with: GAP, Peter Som, Abaeté, Tuleh, Tory Burch, Carmen Marc Valvo and many more. I am just too excited for this, and I can’t wait for this week to start!

And the Winner is…

Winning the Fashion Insider contest is definitely a blessing. Just seven months ago I was in Buffalo, New York thinking to myself, “I need to get to New York City and start my career.” Never did I think in a million years that I would be going to Fashion Week so soon after moving here. I was browsing one of the magazines’ websites when I saw an ad for Redken’s Fashion Insider Contest, so I decided to enter. And let me tell you, this contest wasn’t your typical “pick a name out of a hat” contest; I really had to work for this—something like interviewing for a job.

First round I had to submit two writing samples, one of which was a mock fashion blog, another was a 250-word essay describing my fashion icon. The second round was a phone interview with three Redken representatives. This is where I really had to sell myself. I talked about my career goals, my blog, my love of fashion, beauty and words, and my aspirations to fuse them all. I was a nervous wreck after the phone interview. I waited a week to get a call back, only to hear I didn’t make it to the final round—I was bummed.

A week later I get a call from Peggy, one of the Redken representatives, to tell me I did make it to the next round…What?! Apparently one of the three finalists couldn’t make it to New York for the in-person interview and I was next in line—I’LL TAKE IT!! I was excited, exhausted from my excitement and anxious all at once. I scoured 34th Street for a perfect outfit, but to no avail; I ended up wearing something I already owned.

Then came the big day—the in-person interview. I knew that there were two other contestants I was up against for this, and I knew I needed to be myself, be outgoing, and bring it! I left the interview feeling pretty good. I answered their questions as best as I could, and I didn’t regret anything. My position as Fashion Insider was contingent upon the answers of my competitors.

So I went back to work, feeling a little bittersweet. I felt honored because knowing that I passed the first round meant my four years of studying English grammar, and journalistic writing paid off, but man…going to Fashion Week would defiantly be the icing on that sweet cake. Not even three hours had passed when I got a call from Peggy, “Hey Kinya, how do you think the interview went?”

“I think it went well, I don’t regret anything,” I said while laughing.
“Well guess what?” Peggy said, her voice a little menacing.
“What?!”
“You won! You’re going to Fashion Week!!”
“No way!” was I could say.

So I went from fourth to first in the matter of one interview. Being Redken’s Fashion Insider will be an incredible experience to see designers, hair stylists, make-up artists and models at their best. I can just imagine the people I would meet, and hopefully make some great connections. Thank you so much Redken for giving me this opportunity!

The Three Styleketeers

My love of style came to me at a young age from three of the most important women in my life who taught me the fundamentals of individual style. First is my great-grandmother, the southern belle from South Carolina, who wears the most beautiful white embellished dresses accessorized with an even more extravagant white hat. Ever since I’ve been on this earth, and even before, she has only worn different shades of white…yes shades—like cream, eggshell, ivory, magnolia, etc. She is beautiful in every measure, and it goes to show that you can be stylish with only one color!

Next is my grandmother. She is the sophisticated, conservative business woman with well structured skirts, blouses and suits. She irons everything—even her jeans, and abides by the washing instructions tag on every article of clothing. She is the quintessential New Yorker in every way—extremely modern.


Then of course, is my mother. Her love of prints and flowing fabrics mirrors her easy-going personality. She’ll match a black and white zebra print with a red Fendi bag, armor her arms with gold bracelets, and look fabulous.


All three women taught me that style is not what you wear, but how you wear it and true style is the individual and not the fashion.

Beautifully Human

I remember at age 13 buying my first magazine, YM (Young & Modern). I relished in the articles on beauty, fashion, and life situations of people my age. I knew then that I would want to work in magazine publishing. I loved the layout of magazines, the advertisements, the quizzes, and most of all—the fashion! This and my stylish matriarchal trio has made me who I am today, a 25 year old New York native with a BA degree from the University at Buffalo in English along with a Journalism Certificate. I currently work for the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York proofreading Collective Bargaining Agreements, attending negotiations, and reading arbitrations. I’m planning to go to Graduate School for Journalism to achieve my big dream of becoming a Copy Editor for a top fashion magazine. I have my own fashion blog, EXUDE Magazine since August 2006. It’s my baby and I’m working hard to make it a top digital fashion magazine. I’m a lover of all things creative, be it hair styles, make-up, fashion design, art, music, writing, etc.—I love how we as human beings can dream up such beautiful things and bring them to life. We are truly intricate creatures and it’s wonderful that we can showcase our abilities.

My Fashion Insider Duty

I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to be Redken’s Fashion Insider. Of course as a dutiful Fashion Insider, I will give my readers the inside scoop on what’s “in” for Spring and Summer (clothing, hair, make-up), and upload exclusive photos from backstage and the runway. In addition, I want to show my readers all of the hard work that is put into developing a cohesive, well-planned and fashionable runway show. Many people forget, or are unaware, that what goes on in the background dictates what they see on the runway.

So I hope you get a chance to read my blog, leave comments, ask questions, check photos, and most important of all—enjoy my postings! Stay tuned!