New York based ready-to-wear designer Mara Hoffman presented her Fall/Winter 2010 collection the day after the big northeast blizzard during New York Fashion Week, on Thursday, February 11^th.  The presentation was at Openhouse Gallery, a chic downtown space located in SoHo.

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.

Season six winner of Project Runway Irina Shabayeva debuted her Fall 2010 collection on Saturday, February 13^th during New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at SIR Stage 37.  Shabayeva created a fantasy of intricate beading, textile construction and exotic materials inspired by a sense of freedom and untethered journey of flight.  Hand-sewn creations of soft cashmeres, silk-screened and hand- painted wools were showcased side-by-side with structurally sculpted bodices and flight inspired flounces.

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!

Clean, soft, and beautiful were the descriptions used most by the artists who created the look for BCBG Max Azria during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Fall 2010. Key Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero for Stila Cosmetics created a clean look using neutral colors and matte skin.

Stila Cosmetic Products

On The Face:

one step makeup – Primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in one easy step! This skin-loving formula combines the benefits of four complexion-perfecting products with 100% mineral pigments to deliver one high performance, high definition, long wearing, luxurious formula. The medium coverage foundation is buildable and blendable and leaves skin looking flawless.

For The Eyes:

chinois – white creamy matte shadow

dune – matte neutral shade

puppy – matte warm taupe

Lips:

long wear lip color In the nude

Finishing Touches:

brown major lash mascara

To complete the look, Key Hairstylist Harry Josh for John Frieda styled a low, soft, upswept bun with a flair while Key Nail Technician for CND Roxanne Valanoti used Putty nail polish to complete the backstage beauty.

For more behind the scenes and how-tos, check out this backstage video from BCBG Max Azria at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Fall 2010:

Key Artist Luc Bouchard, M.A.C. Cosmetics, created a clean and pretty look that was sculpted at the same time.  The eyes were softly shaded with nude colors with a touch of M.A.C.’s  Powersurge Eye Kohl Pencil rimming the bottom of the eyes and gently smudged down.  Powersurge Eye Kohl gave a soft shimmer to the eyes that reflected, ever so gently, which brightened the eye area.  Pro Lash in black was used on the top lashes.  Bouchard used Pink Swoon and Peaches blush to warm the face and slightly contour.  A limited edition lipgloss, Not So Shy, a berry-wine stained color from M.A.C.’s Emanuel Ungaro collection, set the lips and completed the look.

Rodney Cutler, Key Hairstylist for Tadashi Shoji, created a young, fresh look for the show.  The hair was all up and rolled at the bottom, a hairstyle which complimented the evening wear of Tadashi Shoji’s designs.  The style had a deep side part and volume at the top with whips of hair gently pulled out from the up hair design.  Key hairstyling products used to create the look were Cutler Volumizing Spray and Redken Workforce 09, a flexible volumizing spray.

Check out behind the scenes video backstage at Tadashi Shoji with Luc Bouchard and Rodney Culter!