Backstage Pass
by Regina Molaro


Fashion devotees and beauty enthusiasts were eager to become part of the stylish scene circulating New York City during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which was held February 9 to16. The captivating runway shows, which were scattered about this chic city, previewed the styles we'll soon be donning for Fall/Winter 2012. A lineup of designers celebrated a variety of hot looks from classic to Bauhaus-inspired to modern and minimalist.

Hair guru Guido, Redken's Creative Consultant presented a variety of high-style ponytails for Fall/Winter. From refined and feminine at Ralph Lauren to dry and textured at Calvin Klein, and cool and nonchalant at Ports 1961, the ponytail was indeed a key look. At Reed Krakoff Guido fashioned a flowing, textured, natural look. "These wearable, effortlessly-chic styles have certainly replaced meticulous updo's - especially when paired with rich, luxurious clothes. These little hairstyles that are not so complicated are the ones that are very key," says Guido.

To provide a snapshot of beauty in the making, HOT went behind-the-scenes to capture the buzz at Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Ports 1961 and Reed Krakoff. The following pages preview the key looks that will be turning heads in Fall/Winter 2012.

 

HOT provides a glimpse of the beauty action from the Ralph Lauren fashion show.

 

Ralph Lauren


The runway at Ralph Lauren's show exuded a sense of elegance that we've all come to expect from this classic American design house. From men's inspired looks that presented a range of tweeds to sophisticated animal prints and ultra-feminine looks accented with sequins, feathers and metallics, Ralph Lauren's show celebrated diversity. To complement the elegant looks from Ralph Lauren, Redken's team created a soft, feminine ponytail that truly reflected the designer's American sense of style. "What I love about Ralph is not having to change too much every season. When it works, it works," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant. "It's reassuring in that way, as a designer and as a brand. Ralph Lauren has a very strong identity. He's not about reinventing everything-the inspiration for the girl is 'she is who she is.'"

Guido tapped into the magic of Redken's thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder; All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care oil; and fashion work 12 versatile working spray to create these refined ponytail looks.

Ralph Lauren
 
Ralph Lauren
 
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken


fashion work 12 versatile working spray
 
thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder
 
All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care oil
Fashion work 12 versatile working spray   Thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder   All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care oil


Create the Look:

 

At Calvin Klein, HOT caught a glimpse of the cutting and styling action that energized the backstage arena.

 

Calvin Klein


A strong, powerful Bauhaus woman from the 1920s era was the inspiration behind Calvin Klein's Fall/Winter 2012 collection. As a result, many items offered softer, "ladylike" silhouettes. "We love ponytails at Calvin Klein, but this season we're adding a little something extra-we're contrasting textures from the crown and the actual ponytail for an added edge," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant. On four of the dazzling beauties, Guido created stand-out cuts inspired by the 1920s.

"Each of these girls has a slightly different, edgy cut with dark black hair based on a 20s flapper bob style-they are meant to be the 'characters' in the show." These flashback beauties also ushered a highly theatrical element into the show. The Calvin Klein style, with its sleek, wet, glossy crown and dry textured ponytail seemed to echo the contrast in the collection itself. To create these looks, Guido used Redken's hardwear 16 super-strength gel; glass 01 smoothing serum; and powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo.

Calvin Klein
 
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken


Hardwear 16 super-strength gel
 
Glass 01 smoothing serum
 
Powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo
Hardwear 16 super-strength gel   Glass 01 smoothing serum   Powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo


Create the Look:

 

HOT went behind the scenes at New York City's Fashion Week to present this special report on the Ports 1961 show.

 

Ports 1961


At the Fall/Winter 2012 Ports 1961 runway show, structured forms dominated-from color blocked metallics to fur-trimmed looks. The color palette reflected various shades of gray, but there were also unexpected pops of cream and brown hues. "As the clothes are very dramatic and modern, we wanted the girl to be modern and not reference any other era," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant. "We didn't want it to be romantic-we just wanted it to be cool. That cool comes from the nonchalance and ease of the hair. If you're wearing clothes like Ports that are very stylized, you need to give that offset, so it's very important we provide offset with very easy hair." Satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion was Guido's styling product of choice for the show.

Ports 1961
 
Ports 1961
 
Ports 1961
CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken
  Satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion


Create the Look:

 

Reed Krakoff


Minimalist looks are key to Reed Krakoff's Fall/Winter 2012 collection. As for the hair, "the style is minimal, but exact," reveals Redken Creative Consultant Guido. "It's flatter on top and fuller through the ends, and it's all about texture-a truly natural, matte finish. I used our new powder refresh 01 first throughout to give the hair dry texture, and then our new powder grip 03. While powder grip 03 is often used on the roots, I actually used it on the hair shaft to give volume and a matte finish throughout the lengths, which is where I wanted it to plump up the strands."

Guido used the power of Redken's powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo and powder grip 03 mattifying hair powder to create these textured looks.

Reed Krakoff
 
Reed Krakoff
Reed Krakoff
CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken


Powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo
 
Powder grip 03 mattifying hair powder
Powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo   Powder grip 03 mattifying hair powder


Create the Look: