Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Ruffian S/S ’14

September 19, 2013

Early one Saturday morning, nine am to be exact, committed fashionistas of NYC transcended upon the tents at Lincoln Center for the Ruffian SS’14 Runway Show. Although waking up before ten in the morning on a Saturday is not my cup of tea, I was happy to be in the number. The show passed quickly as the models breezed down the catwalk with Pink Floyd playing as the soundtrack; the accompanying song definitely paid homage to the wild west.

In the collection, there were a lot of metallic pastels mixed with paisley-like floral prints, along with black and white plaid patterns and polka dots. I could totally see myself in any number of these looks as they exuded the spirit of a fresh-faced girl who is put together but has a slight 80’s vintage flair. See below for some of my favorite looks. What do you think?

Guest post by Laura of www.blushandbeakers.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Alice + Olivia S/S ’14 Presentation

September 17, 2013

Alice + Olivia Spring 2014 Presentation — Photos: taken by Blush and Beakers

Usually when I attend a show or a presentation there are a few pieces that stick out to me and give me those fashion butterflies- you know, the feeling when an article of clothing makes you quiver. However, I had no idea how to deal with the Alice and Olivia Spring 2014 presentation. Going to an Alice and Olivia presentation is inspiring; the clothes are so damn pretty and styled to perfection that you will find yourself saying “I wanna wear that!”

Almost every piece was what I like to call “tailored pretty.” There were definitely elements of preppiness and romanticism which all attributed to what the brand calls “the American girl-carefree collegiate with a romantic twist.” On three sides of the massive space that is The Highline Stages were different rows of the collection. You had the preppy-pretty-girl row, the beautiful romantic gown row, and the chic-uptown row (all my interpretations). All in all, Stacey Bendet is bad! Bad as in the Michael Jackson “she’s bad” kind of way. See a sampling of the collection below and comment on your thoughts!

Guest Post by Laura of www.blushandbeakers.com

Bronzed Inspiration from NYX Cosmetics backstage at Nichols K S/S ’14

September 9, 2013

The backstage beauty look for Nicholas K was minimal but sculpted. Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin wanted to convey chic, nomadic, tribal makeup. “Sibling design team Nicholas Kunz and Christopher Kunz presented muted, earth-toned looks in light and airy shapes with white as a prominent color throughout. To compliment this collection, Lead Makeup Artist Daniel Martin for NYX Cosmetics drew inspiration from the hip, downtown “NYX woman” and Nicholas K’s Native-American influences, creating a makeup look that evoked a “Modern Tribal Warrior.”

The look involved a heavy emphasis on a bronzed face utilizing NYX Cosmetics’ Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation mixed with Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator-Gleam, as well as some Mineral Finishing Powder only in the T-Zone. NYX Cosmetics eyeshadows in Dance the Tides, Skinny Dip, and Hot Orange where mixed together to create a look mimicking a sunburn (different right?), the sculpted look was extended to the cheeks using NYX Matte Bronzer. On the lips, just balm! Overall, this is a beautifully simplified look with minimal product.

What do you think of this look?

Guest Post by Laura of www.blushandbeakers.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week FW 2013: Backstage at Giulietta

February 21, 2013

INSPIRATION: Giulietta New York, which is designed by Sofia Sizzi and currently a finalist for the CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, is consistently influenced by the 1960’s. This season, Sizzi focused on the late sixties — with a little nod to Jane Birkin.

FASHION – The Giulietta Fall/Winter 2013 collection incorporated lots of cool color blocking and crystal and bead embellishment on simple yet elegant shapes. The palate consisted of muted grey and yellow alongside bright red and black. Trends included an elegant short cape, which was incorporated into tops and dresses, sliced a-line skirts, culottes and white tights with black patent mary-janes.

HAIR – The hair was parted in the center and curled in waves to produce a romantic, flowing look. Jon Reyman and the Aveda team took models hair and created waves by alternating the direction of the curling iron and setting the hair with lots of hair spray. Before hitting the runway, the crisp waves were brushed into shiny, soft styles.

MAKEUP – The simple, beautiful make-up at Giulietta was designed by Gato and featured entirely Maybelline New York products. The look began with Maybelline’s Tattoo Eyeshadow in soft pink shades all over the eyelid. Then soft brown eyeliner was used from the center of the eye, extending straight out to the side (not curved). Skin was perfected using the Fit Foundation collection, and a warm blush was added to the apples of the cheeks. To create perfectly soft, pink lips, make-up artists used a moistening chapstick, wiped it away, and then dabbed powder blush to add color. The result was romantic, warm, and simply stunning.

By Alexandra Amarotico of She is Red.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week FW 2013: Monika Chiang

February 10, 2013

INSPIRATION: “My inspiration for Fall/Winter 2013 began with a recurring dream I’ve been having for years. In the dream, I’m running as fast as I can until I take off into flight. I also recently visited an exhibit with these really interesting mid-century photographs of birds at MOMA and became fascinated with the shapes they create with their wings while in flight. So you’ll see a lot of graphic shapes in the collection that were inspired by those references. With regard to tailoring, I began thinking a lot about vintage military and aviator uniforms shapes while developing the silhouettes for the season.” – Monika Chiang

FASHION: Monika Chiang’s edgy Fall/Winter 2013 collection was full of army and aviator references interpreted in a mix of powerful and ultra-feminine ways. There was a balance of draped and structured pieces. Jackets were belted accentuating strong silhouettes. Necks were adorned with heavy-metal chains, collars and bibs. Leather in various shades was a cohesive element throughout most of the 16 looks, showing up on a dress, culottes, leggings and accessories. The collection was anchored in black, port, ivory and taupe with dramatic gold and silver accents.

HAIR by Aveeno: The hair look was bouffant meets faux-hawk, with sides slicked back and the crown full of volume and texture.

MAKEUP by Lancome: The intense and mesmerizing makeup look focused on a dark smoky eye with lots of lash, a pop of teal in the inner corner, plus intricate designs at the outer corner reminiscent of butterfly wings. The complexion was flawless and radiant and the lip was a glossy nude.

What do you think of the beauty looks from Monika Chiang?

by Lauren Cosenza, DIVAliciousBLOG.com

* NYFW LIVESTREAM on DIVAliciousBLOG — 2/7-2/14 — http://ldiva.wordpress.com/nyfw-live/ *