I arrived early for backstage access to the Red Dress Collection, the first show of Fall 2009 NY Fashion Week. When I entered the New York Public Library near Bryant Park, hair and make-up teams were already busy at work glamming up celebrity models like Hillary Duff, Susan Lucci, and Tori Spelling.

I immediately spotted popular make-up artist Bobbi Brown when I entered the room. She’s a Montclair resident like me, yet more importantly, she’s the woman behind the make-up look for the Red Dress show. Bobbi came dressed to support the cause—educating women about heart disease—wearing a red buttoned-down shirt and black three quarter length sweater. Her simple pearl necklace gleamed under the flashing lights of photographers. She smiled and chatted eagerly as she applied Patricia Arquette’s make-up.

Bobbi was friendly and accommodating as I asked her a few pointed questions. When she took her glasses off and looked me in the eye, I knew immediately that this cause mattered to her.

Can you tell me what The Red Dress show means to you?

Well, the reason I am doing this show, besides the fact that it’s a blast to do and has all these cool celebrities and women in it is to really educate women about heart disease which is the number one killer of women. The symptoms often go unnoticed because we are so busy doing so many things. Also, it’s really important to teach women how to take care of themselves. My philosophy is workout, eat healthy, and you have to take care of your heart.

Bobbi and I chatted about working out for a few minutes… She is a consistent exerciser, and as a personal trainer, I am very much attuned to the importance of physical activity and its relation to combating heart disease.

So Bobbi, what is the inspiration behind the make-up?

It’s every woman is different. It’s whatever they want. There are different celebrities, different dresses. It’s as much or as little as they want. *

And with that, Bobbi gave me a smile and finished applying a nude gloss to Patricia Arquette’s lips. It was true, there were many different celebrities and I was excited to interview a few more of them. As I thanked Bobbi for the interview, her and Patricia exchanged numbers, and I was off to my next celebrity interview with the sweet Hillary Duff.

Photos: Kate Monahan

Lights, camera, makeup brush! Kabuki is a mentor to many makeup artists and is an inspiration in both artistry and creativity to the community. Hailing from merry ol’ England, Key Artist for the Tony Cohen show at The Salon in Bryant Park on September, 8, 2008, inspiration came from Odilon Redon, the late 19th century Symbolist artist. When asked, what about this artist inspired you? Kabuki replied, “Picture a mysterious woman that exists somewhere between the romantic and decadent.”

A former model and textile designer, Kabuki’s faces have appeared on the runway, in print, and television. His work can be seen in Vogue, Bazaar, and Numero, to name a few. Patricia Field, stylist and designer for HBO’s Sex In The City, called upon his expertise to design the makeup looks for style divas Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis. With his vast list of credentials, it is no wonder Tony Cohen went straight to the master of makeup, Kabuki, to design the looks for Spring 2009.

The look created by Kabuki for Tony Cohen was exactly how his quote described, “romantic and decadent.” With soft skin, a warm cheek highlight, and deep color strategically placed on the inner corner of the eyes, this gentle yet rich-indulgent look entranced the viewers for yet another hit for innovative makeup artist, Kabuki.

When asked how to achieve this striking look, Kabuki responded, “We’re sculpting the face with two tones of MAC Select Cover-up and with blush, neutralizing the lips and brows. Then, I added a generous amount of Carbon Eye Shadow for the inner eye. Lastly, I balanced the look with a highlight of Vanilla Pigment on the cheek.”

The stunning contoured faces and eyes perfectly complimented the elegant simplicity of Tony Cohen’s designs. The hair styling was equally stunning with sleek roots and textured ends. Cohen’s designs incorporated neutral tones with sheer fabrics that flowed down the runway. This marvelous combination is aesthetically pleasing to the senses while transcending current trend.

Kabuki, the chameleon of makeup design, continues to surprise us with his creations and keeps us guessing- what imaginative look will he craft next? With inspired looks and inventive design, the maestro of makeup is always creating new faces for all aspects in fashion and beauty.

For more on Kabuki’s work, visit www.kabukimagic.com.

Photos: Victoria Stiles

On a rainy day in the middle of fashion week, Ted Gibson arrived to the Total Beauty suite, located at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York City. Dressed in a suit and tie with a Louis Vuitton black leather laptop case draped over his shoulder, the six-foot-something tall, husky, handsome gentleman looked more downtown stockbroker than celebrity hair stylist – but his work experience and fashion credits speak otherwise!

Celebrity Hair Stylist Ted Gibon’s career began 20 years ago. He has worked for various salons, including Aveda, along with teaching cosmetology. Today his celebrity clientele includes Angelina Jolie and Deborah Messing and he is also known for giving Anne Hathaway that ultra sexy bob!

While working as a hair stylist, including in fashion for the past nine years, Ted Gibson found himself unhappy with the lack of product innovation in styling and hair care formulas. This void in the industry is what motivated Ted Gibson to create his own line of products that include hair treatments, cleansers, conditioners, styling tools and product, along with body care cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliates. His line also includes an extra added piece in aromatherapy for the home – the blood orange fragrance candle. The Potential Beauty Candle offers “solace from the stresses of life,” Gibson states, and will “transform any space into a relaxing and inspiring experience.”
Completing this all encompassing hair, body, styling, and home line is the travel collection. The travel line offers 2 ounce size bottles of Ted Gibson body shampoo and conditioners, a body kit, and styling products.

During my visit with Ted, I had the good fortune to receive a styling session with a member of Ted’s team. The stylist used Ted’s Professional Flat Iron, which has a special technology to help prevent styling damage. I was personally impressed by the wide range of heat settings – 140 to 450 degrees! Wow! Sporting a short blonde angled bob, Ted’s stylist put “flat iron curls” through my hair, giving me a soft sexy look for the day. The stylist finished off my hair with Ted’s Beautiful Hold hairspray, a soft finishing product that didn’t build up in my hair. My new style lasted all day and still feels soft and natural!
For the spring 2009 Lela Rose show in New York City, Ted created a beautiful look for the hair with a deep side part on the left side with a corn-row-braid on the right that gently lead to a messy low chignon at the nape of the neck. When it comes to current trend, Ted says, “Know trend but don’t be a slave”. An encouraging quote coming from a mogul in the fashion industry!
From Aveda salon stylist to celebrity hair stylist and product developer, Ted Gibson offers a complete line of hair care along with an artistic creative touch to cuts and color. For more on Ted Gibson’s salon and products, visit www.tedgibsonbeauty.com.

Photo: Victoria Stiles