Photos: Aaron Lim / BeyondBeautyBasics.com

Lead makeup artist Daniel Martin (who helped create the Chris & Tell shade with the designer for Spring 2010) wanted a “makeup” makeup look, so he and Chris settled on what they’re calling Gothic Chic. This look calls for a play on textures, an updated 90′s brown lip, layers of charcoal and chocolate on the eyes, and defined cheeks.

PRODUCTS USED

• Lancôme Ombre Magnétique in Black (NEW for Fall 2010)
• Lancôme Color Design Eye Shadow in Guest List
• Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof EyeLiner in Noir
• Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black
• Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre brow pencil in Sable (used as lip liner)
• Lancôme Color Design Matte lipstick in Bronze Show (available mid-March, exclusively at Macy’s)
• Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Hallucination
• Lancôme Photôgenic Lumessence foundation
• Shu Uemura Sheer loose powder
• Lancôme Blush Subtil in Mauve Coquette
• Lancôme Blush Subtil in Cappuccine (for the contour)
• Lancôme nail polish in Sweet Nude (part of a mini trio, new for fall)

For this look, the eyes and the lips were given equal attention. Eyes were smoky in gradations of shimmery charcoal and chocolate. Daniel used the new Ombre Magnétique, a mousse-like cream shadow, in black, layered with Color Design Eye Shadow in Guest List, an opaque espresso shade. For the lashes, several coats of Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black, and for the eyeliner, Le Stylo Waterproof EyeLiner in Noir along the waterline, completed the look.

The lips were just as prominent. In a surprise twist, Daniel used Le Crayon Poudre brow pencil in Sable as lip liner, to get a specific gradated gothy lip look inspired by a photograph of Kate Moss from the 90’s. Over it, Daniel debuted the new Color Design matte lipstick in Bronze Show. (Available in mid-March, exclusively at Macy’s.) He topped it all with Juicy Tubes in Hallucination just on the center of the bottom lip for dimension.

For the complexion, Photôgenic Lumessence foundation enhanced the entire face (even the models’ ears!), Shu Uemura’s Sheer loose powder delivered a high-def finish that withstood the bright lights of the studio where the presentation was held. Finally, the cheeks were treated with two Blush Subtil shades: Cappucine for definition and Mauve Coquette for a pop of color.

Editorial manicurist Ana Maria gave each model pretty hands and feet using Lancôme’s new polish in Sweet Nude (part of a mini trio, new for fall). As for the hair, Redken stylist John Ruidant wove intricately braided updos that matched the mood of the collection.

Bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails ruled the catwalk at Capitale on Tuesday, February 16th. Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux led a team of 15 artists to create the stunning look on 22 models – While famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished their nails with a new color that was tested backstage!

“When Derek showed me the fabrics that inspired his Fall 2010 collection – bold and muted tones mixed with earthy pigments including terracotta, greens and browns – I thought the makeup shades should be complimentary. So we chose a blend of bold blue shadows on the eyes, shimmering copper lips and flawless, matte skin created with a light foundation — an on-trend beauty preview of what we will see for Fall 2010.”  Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director.

Model Photos:  Ksenia Kahnovich (IMG) Photo Courtesy of Estée Lauder; Liu Wen (Marilyn) Photo Courtesy of Estée Lauder

Designer Simon Spurr said of his collection, “I am English and my brand is decidedly American.  I really wanted to establish my British roots and deliver something modern and elegant into American fashion week.”

Models walked on the runway to songs such as:

1) Who Dares Wins – The Streets
2) Impossible – Daniel Merriweather
3) Dream City – Free Energy
4) She Loves Everybody – Chester French
5) You Talk – Babyshambles
6) Nobody Could Change Your Mind – The Generationals

Notable attendees included:  Milo Ventimiglia (NBC’s Heroes), Anna Wintour, Robert Verdi,  and Arden Wohl.

The collection was an eclectic mix of colorful pieces in aubergine, blueberry, and eggplant as well as tailored classic pinstriped suiting.  The fabrics had a lot of pattern, texture, and sheen.  I hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of these trends in menswear this coming Fall!

Victoria’s Fall 2010 collection is full of gorgeously structured silhouettes with beautiful draping detail and her signature zippers. The color palette–rich emerald, paprika and sapphire hues paired with nudes, metallics and black–added to the collection’s modernity. Make sure to check out the collection on Style.com.

A fun fact?  The private residence where the show took place, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, was featured in the “Sex and the City” movie. Remember the scene where Big shows Carrie the apartment he has bought her, complete with fashionista (read: MY) dream closet? It was filmed in the room where Victoria did the presentations.

PRODUCTS USED

• Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Optic and Crème Lustré Lancôme
• Lancôme Ombre Magnetique in Silver (NEW for Fall 2010)
• Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black
• Lancôme Ageless Minérale Perfecting and Setting Mineral Powder in Translucent
• Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer #1
• Lancôme Blush Subtil in Miel Glace
• Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Concealer (used on the lips)
• Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Rich Cashmere

For the makeup, Francelle did a modern take on 1930′s Hollywood glamour in keeping with Victoria’s “Dick Tracy” inspiration for the clothes.  She paired a metallic eye with a pale, nude lip. First, Francelle swept Color Design Eyeshadow in Optic on the entire lid to the brow bone and added Color Design Eyeshadow in Crème Lustré to the lower lid. Ombre Magnetique in Silver (coming this fall!) was used in the crease for a shiny, metallic finish. The new Hypnôse Drama Mascara coated the top lashes only. The skin was dusted with Ageless Minérale Powder in Translucent for a luminous complexion. Blush Subtil in Miel Glace was applied lightly to the cheekbones for an added touch of color. For the lips, Francelle first dotted them with concealer (a great trick for ensuring you get a super nude pout with staying power) then applied L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Rich Cashmere. The nails were short and groomed with just clear nail polish and the hair, by Didier Malige, was pulled back in messy version of a French twist.

Located away from the tents of Bryant Park, the Altman Building is in the heart of the architecturally interesting downtown Chelsea area.  The building itself is a landmark with some retail history – it was originally built in 1896 as the carriage house for the B. Altman’s Department Store.  The elegantly-styled and recently restored Altman Building is a perfect fit for this ready-to-wear collection.

My favorite look is this draped v-neck dress.  It’s so feminine and echoes old-world Hollywood elegance.   It’s so wearable for women with a variety of shapes, the forgiving drape is flattering to curvy shapes and adds curves for ladies who need them.

Inspired by a woman’s femininity, Mahfouz has created a glamorous and modern line for his induction into the prêt-à-porter category; Mahfouz’s designs celebrate the female form, accenting structured silhouettes through draping, highlighting a woman’s elegant shoulders and slim waist.

Mahfouz establishes the mood for fall through his color palette, which varies from black and ruby red, to cobalt blue and grey marine.  Deep, rich jewel tones that are not only undeniably elegant, but also reflective of the season.

Mahfouz has also paired unlikely fabrics, such as wool with silk, to create movement, and incorporating snakeskin jersey, jacquard with embossed circles and 3D-like accessories, to add texture.

The strong shoulder in both this slim jacket and this boat neck gown slim the waist and balance the hips.  I can’t wait to see the Abed Mahfouz  Ready-to-Wear Collection in stores!

Alongside pop culture pioneers and genre defining icons, Phetus has etched a prolific pathway as unusual and non-conforming as his street artist moniker. Vevant both recognizes and supports the artistic talent and vision of Phetus and is proud to spotlight the exciting artist to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week attendees and the world at large.

Phetus has created original art installations for each day of the eight-day event. Every day, the Vevant Lounge in the Bryant Park Tents will feature a new and original mannequin bust, 4’ x 6’ canvas and accompanying 12? x 12? canvas in themes relating to the world of fashion and current events.

“I started out inspired just because of my excitement for fashion and style in general,” says Phetus of the chic collaboration. “Also, I’m naturally driven by a lot of the elements that are tied into these installations. Once the concept to use the mannequins was solidified, the ideas kept flowing.”

To wit: Rugged Blue. An American classic and worldwide icon of cool, there is no textile more rugged and true than denim, as seen in this stylish installation.  The Phecasso mannequin, meanwhile, pays tribute to Picasso’s cheery palette and features fashionistas as its source of inspiration. And Neg di san fe (Haitian for “People talk and don’t act”) was created in tribute to the people of Haiti, with the intention of putting art to action.

Explains Phetus, “I’d like people to take away the realization that they can do something. I’m an artist, not a Red Cross worker or a philanthropist, but I wanted to do something. We all have some talent or ability that with a little bit of thought and effort could be used to do something positive in this world.”

Phetus is also enthusiastic about the chance to partner with an equally forward-thinking web site. “I’ve found the minds behind Vevant to be a real resource in formulating and executing my artistic endeavor,” he says. “Having them along for the ride has been a good time and I hope we get to do it again soon. It’s been rewarding to take on a project of this scale and visibility.”

In the days leading up to the event, Elite Gudz also provides a live web stream documenting Phetus’ creation of these unique art pieces, which can be seen at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/elite-gudz-studio-cam3.

To create this look, he first mixed the Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Smooth Finish Serum and Fekkai Coiff Contrôle Ironless Straightening Balm and applied the product to the entire head thoroughly with his fingers.  Then, Andre dried the hair straight using a large round brush sweeping the hair back so that there was no center part. He then drew back a piece of hair under each ear to create small hidden pony tail under the nape of the neck which added a bit of body to the crown of the head and added a bit of definition to the look.  Andre finished the look with the Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray.

PRODUCTS USED:

Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Smooth Finish Serum

This weightless serum wraps each hair strand with concentrated smoothing agents and fights humidity, frizz and curl all day for sleek and shiny hair.

Fekkai Coiff Contrôle Ironless Straightening Balm

A miraculous, non-chemical balm that provides weightless straightening while you blow dry.  This creamy balm contains special featherweight silicones for sleek, chic hair that resists frizz and fly-always. Delivers a salon blow-out, sans stylist.

Fekkai Coiff™ Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel

A lightweight lifting styler that adds height at the roots or allover for maximum mane. Lift a little or a lot with this alcohol-free water-soluble texturizing spray mist that offers medium, touchable hold.

What I loved most about this look is how it is such a statement yet so simple to apply to real life!  It’s not a full on Cleopatra look, but embodies the elegance and essence of that time.

I am a huge fan of Fekkai hair products and they are available at: Fekkai.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora, or Beauty.com.

This season Hoffman opted to show her collection in this presentation setting, away from the tents of Bryant Park, adding in artistic elements such as an original film, a collage like dream setting following witches as they fall into “Hysterical Levitation”, starring Isabelle McNally, and is styled by Masha Orlov. There will also be a musical performance by Living Sacrifice-www.allforthemountain.com.   Said Hoffman, “Being a fan of performing and visual arts, this was the perfect format to display the collection.” She added that the was “mystical and cosmic with ceremonial elements incorporated to full immerse the audience and allow one to really connect with the collection.”

The Mara Hoffman Fall/Winter 2010 collection is futuristic, chic with strong feminine direction.  This translates into a variety of unique silhouettes, abstract prints, and detailed designs with a range of dark and soft colors.

Dresses and separates were shown with mixed print and solid combos, ruching details and different textures combined together within a single garment, as well as solid metallic gunmetal jackets. The collection also features bold prints in darker tones with pops of colors such as red, greens, blues and purple. Washed silks, printed chiffons, silk jersey mixed with suede and velvet chiffon burnout bring are updated with color and pattern to add futuristic flair.

My favorite pieces are the dresses.  The fabrics and prints are very luxurious and I love the way the cuts and drapes flatter the figure.  Overall, the cuts and fabrics are so very feminine but styled in prints and colors that feel modern, fresh, and completely unlike any other.

Mara Hoffman’s designs have gained recognition among celebrities such as Katy Perry, Halle Berry, Megan Fox, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Drew Barrymore, Lauren Conrad, Eva Longoria Parker, Whitney Port and Ginnifer Goodwin. Mara Hoffman is currently available through top retailers worldwide and online at www.shopbop.com.

Materials ranged from natural to industrial as creations were swirled in feathers and patterns only born in nature. Tupperware-engineered materials (seriously, you HAVE to see this!) provided the hard edges and solid structures delicately balanced with luxurious materials like cashmere, supple leathers, double faced wool and fur.  An unusual partnership with an alternative view to fashion and design allowed Shabayeva to join Tupperware’s effort of inspiring women around the world through confidence and empowerment.

Irina said,  “Knowing that Tupperware is so passionate about empowering women, it was easy to implement an element of determination into the clothing.”  She added, “To me, fashion and the design process is liberating, fun and empowering.”  What could be more true?

Tupperware Brands’ Chairman and CEO Rick Goings was enthusiastic about Irina’s creative talent, saying that when they saw Irina on Project Runway, they were “simply in awe of her of talent and vision,” and as “a company that has long been focused on innovative design, we’re thrilled to work with someone who is forward-thinking and whose work is so inspiring.”

It is that kind of idea that makes Fashion Week (and the fashion industry) so exciting!  It is thrilling for us to see looks on the runway that are so different and innovative.

Highlights from the Fall collection include intricate hand-painted prints, pheasant feather dresses and custom made aviator hats.  A strapless white cocktail dress made from 8 different wings of Tupperware materials impressed attendees along with a black glider with hand carved leather wing paired with leather panel pants.

We are hoping that in the future we will get to see more from Irina Shabayeva on runways everywhere!  I am really digging on this white dress. Don’t you love?
While I was checking out looks from this show I could not help but wish I could see Lady Gaga in some of these numbers.  When I think fashion innovation and FUN, I think of a Lady Gaga video.  She is truly a fashion icon – love her or not – because she dares to wear runway looks off the runway.

Irina Shabayeva, can we see some ready-to-wear?  I’d love to see this white dress translated into real life!