New York City was the stylish scene for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which was held September 8 to 15 at Lincoln Center, Pier 92/94 and other destinations located around Manhattan. Designers flaunted their spring/summer 2012 collections, sending models parading down the runways to showcase the chic clothing and beauty looks we'll soon be embracing.
Backstage, star stylists and makeup artists performed their magic as they translated each designer's creative vision into hair and makeup looks that complemented and accented the collections. HOT went behind-the-scenes to mingle with lead stylists and give you a snapshot of what transpired backstage at Diesel, J. Mendel and Reed Krakoff.
The following pages capture the latest fashions and highlight some of the season's most stunning beauty looks, bringing fashionistas all of the trend information that they're craving.
HOT went behind the scenes at Fashion Week to present this special report on what key hair looks were presented at the Diesel show.
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| Photo Credit: Charles Sykes for Redken | Photo Credit: Charles Sykes for Redken | Photo Credit: Charles Sykes for Redken | Guts 10 Root Targeted Volume Spray Foam | Shine Flash 02 |
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Create the Look:
● Wet the hair and apply a generous amount of Redken Guts 10 Root Targeted Volume Spray foam from roots to ends. ● Scrunch hair with your hand for a wavy texture and pull into a low pony, leaving out some pieces around the face. ● Spritz Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist onto the finished style. |
Pier 92's industrial space was the setting for the Diesel runway show. Backstage, music blared and cameras flashed as hairstylists and makeup artists moussed, spritzed and primped models readying them for the runway. The collection showcased high-tech, tailored looks that presented shiny metallic fabrics galore.
Redken Creative Consultant Guido perfected the models' tousled looks by creating beachy, wet-looking low ponytails that highlighted the natural beauty so warmly tied with summer. Guido used Redken's Guts 10 Root Targeted Volume Spray Foam and Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist to create the easy ponytail looks that were loosely secured with leather.
"The look was inspired by a French girl's style in the 1980's - it's easy and effortless, and looks like she's just come off the beach. Redken Guts 10 gives it that wet look without actually having sopping wet hair," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant.
The simple, wearable look was ideal for Diesel, a contemporary collection that presents a rock chic appeal. As for cosmetics, a soft palette of earth tones created a sun-kissed look that was easy yet glamorous.
In this special Fashion Week report, HOT provides a close-up look at the beauty and fashion looks that were presented at the J. Mendel show.
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Create the Look
● Form a deep side-part and spray hair with TIGI Catwalk Session Series Salt Spray to stiffen and give a hard, grungy texture. Then, wrap the hair around a tong, section by section, and move the iron back and forth to add kinks to the hair to create a "week-old" effect. ● Leave out a long, front-fringe section to be worn over the eyes (the focal point of this style) and spray the fringe with TIGI Catwalk Session Series Finishing Hairspray, to harden. ● Place a hairnet flat next to the part (a favorite trick), and spray TIGI Catwalk Session Series Work It Hairspray towards the part through the hairnet to give the top of the hair a matted down look. ● Place TIGI Catwalk Session Series True Wax on the ends to separate them and give a "remnant of the night before" look. After applying the wax, back-brush the fringe/front area to make it thicker and fuller and then spray the hair, focusing on the fringe, with TIGI Catwalk Session Series Work It Hairspray to harden hair. |
The elegant beauty of Lincoln Center served as a backdrop for the J. Mendel runway show, which was held in the Studio Tent.
An oversize banner showcasing the Anna Bolena opera loomed above ushering in even more grace and beauty to the already picture-perfect setting.
Lincoln Center's iconic fountain gracefully spurted water into the azure blue sky as tourists and fashion industry insiders lounged around while watching leggy models and well-heeled guests saunter by.
Inside, creative teams and visitors could feel the buzz swirling around the tent.
Pulsating music and the whirling sound of dryers competed with the sound of clicking cameras.
Lead stylist Paul Hanlon for Catwalk by TIGI, and his team were on location to create the hot hair looks that complemented J. Mendel's contemporary style.
Inspired by the legendary, modern designs of style icon Dorothy Draper, designer Gilles Mendel's collection featured a palette of bold colors and lean, easy silhouettes.
Some of the models flaunted easy over-the-eye looks reminiscent of music icon Debbie Harry at Studio 54. The hair represents the cool girl with a hint of a grunge factor.
The texture is hard and stiff and there is nonchalance about the style, while still keeping that element of glam. "The look is grungy, very Debbie Harry with a bit of rock-'n'-roll," says Paul Hanlon.
As for cosmetics, a natural, earthy look was achieved by Revlon's creative team.
"I've created a 'metallicy' face and eye with browns and grays, and ochre in the tear duct area. It's soft with an emphasis on the eyes," says Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman.
HOT caught a glimpse of the action at the Reed Krakoff show, and presents this special Fashion Week report on easy summer styles.
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| Photo Credit: Charles Sykes for Redken | ||||||
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| Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-dry Lotion | Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray |
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Create the Look:
● Apply Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-dry Lotion to damp hair and rough dry. ● Create a messy center part. ● Pull hair back into a low-slung ponytail about 5 inches lower than the nape of the neck; secure with a piece of black leather. ● Pull a few pieces out around the face to finish and spray Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray into the ponytail for added texture. |
Reed Krakoff's runway show presented a chic collection of clothing that is elegant and understated. The Reed Krakoff woman flaunts an easy sophistication that seems quite effortless, and the clothing, which has a sense of freshness to it, was complemented by easy hair looks.
Guido, Redken's creative consultant, created minimal versions of a ponytail to accent the clothes.
"Although ponytails are a style we see a lot on the runway and in real life, women can find new ways of updating it, and we updated it by securing the ponytail with a leather strap, which Reed chose," reveals Guido.
The low-slung ponytails reflected Reed Krakoff's minimalist approach to design.
The hair was intended to be easily achievable yet sophisticated.
To achieve the look, the hair was first blown out with Redken's Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-dry lotion, and then it was wrapped with a leather strap. Guido finished off the look by applying a spritz of Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray to bring a bit of texture to the look.
While the bigwigs showed off their spring/summer collections, a few lucky Taiwanese fashion designers also saw their creations take center stage. At an event entitled "Focus Taiwan," their designs showcased the creative force of contemporary fashion that's emerging out of Taiwan. Held at New York City's Chelsea Market in the trendy Meatpacking District, Focus Taiwan marked the first time that Taiwan's brightest fashion stars have debuted their collections during New York Fashion Week.
Taiwan, with its strong economy and advanced technology industry, is home to a burgeoning fashion scene that highlights innovation and has robust international commercial appeal. Since beauty and fashion go hand in hand, we expect to see a lot of beauty emerging from the region as well.
A range of designers, including sister team Annie and Jojo Lai, Jane Hu, Jasper Huang, Eve Lin, Shirley Yang and Chang Ying, represented Taiwan's rich multicultural history and energetic modern lifestyle. Some clothing looks fused the traditional and modern worlds of Asian arts and culture and featured design collaborations with top contemporary Asian artists, while others represented futuristic takes on dress. Focus Taiwan also showcased Asian-inspired glamour with couture gowns and dramatically elegant womenswear. The Vince Smith Hair Experience, MAC Cosmetics, China Glaze and Dashing Diva Nails all contributed on the beauty front. The hairstyles featured several variations of updos, and the makeup was soft and natural.
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