Oscar de la Renta Bridal 2014

Posted on April 25, 2013 by thegreyestghost

Every Oscar de la Renta show I’ve ever attended has been magical. But there’s something about Bridal, when it overwhelms you with tulle and lace, and let’s you indulge in every princess fantasy you never even knew you had that just makes it that much more of an experience.

Monday was my second Oscar bridal show, and while I loved last year’s collection’s Spanish influences, I ended up being just as big of a fan of the 2014 collection’s romanticism and sweetness.

I’m sharing a few less photos than usual, since a portion of my backstage beauty Bridal Market Week content is due to end up online and in print for the August/September issue of BRIDES. (Expect to see more from the 4 other shows I covered this week once I’ve been given the all clear to post!) As always, I live-pinned a portion of the show on the OdlR bridal pinterest board as well.

I absolutely LOVED the hair accessories/head pieces this season:

It’s a given that Oscar’s collections are always impeccable. But one thing that strikes me time after time is how well it’s all styled. Every detail down to the belts, accessories, and hair complements the clothing, and overall tone of the collection.

More gloves for me to fawn over!

Little girls’ ballet flats.

I was a big fan of the sweet, rosy makeup.

Excuse me while I plot how to turn all of my favorite necklaces into head pieces.

Marília <3

Oscar positioning a veil on a model

Something blue!

Oh, hello!

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2013 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

Bridal Market Week 2014: Sneak Peek

Posted on April 22, 2013 by thegreyestghost

Backstage at Oscar de la Renta Bridal

Over the last 4 days, I’ve shot about 5 shows during NYC’s 2014 Bridal Market Week. I’m excited to share that I’ve been covering backstage beauty for BRIDES Magazine and The Daily. I’ll post more details once the online coverage, and the issue of BRIDES comes out. But needless to say, it’s been an exciting week! Looking forward to sharing what I consider some of the most beautiful backstage photos I’ve ever shot.

Adventures In DIY Studio Photography

Posted on April 15, 2013 by thegreyestghost

Yea… so I’ve been MIA for a ridiculously long time. As usual, the universe has conspired to make my busiest periods, work wise, coincide with the craziest times in my life. I always take a bit of time off after Fashion Week. This season was no different– I spent two weeks in my hometown. As soon as I got back to NYC, I (this is embarrassing to even admit) damaged by nearly brand new macbook pro, rendering it nearly useless, and putting me out of commission for quite a long time. I’ve managed to get my old black macbook up and running again, so expect the last half of my NYFW posts, and some event coverage soon. And once it’s set up, a how-to post on building your own DIY at-home photo studio.

Until then, here is a teaser from my very first home studio shoot, which took place this past weekend. My friend, and long-time collaborator Casey Kettleson is working on a fun new personal project– more on that soon– and needed a photographer. Which ended up being the perfect occasion to test out my new lighting equipment. She rented a backdrop kit, and I trekked uptown to her apartment, for two days of fashion photography, and fun. While we were working on her project, we managed to get some fun new head shots to be used as promotional photos. Below, one of my favorites.

All Photos and Content ®2013 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

KAREN WALKER F/W 2013: BACKSTAGE

Posted on February 27, 2013 by thegreyestghost

Karen Walker’s show is always one of the most fun and upbeat shows of every NY Fashion Week. Backstage, the atmosphere is no different: models are happy, smiling, and enjoying themselves, posing in the gorgeous clothes, and absolutely amazing sunglasses Karen comes up with, season after season.

Sadly, this season I overbooked myself (a lot!), and Monday, the day of Karen’s show, I ended up in a bit of a time crunch. But I still managed to spend some time backstage, photographing the equally fun makeup, and tousled, beachy hair.

The fall collection was inspired by Siouxsie Sioux, singer of the iconic 80′s group– and one of my favorite bands growing up– Siouxsie and the Banshees. As someone who never outgrew their “goth phase”, I appreciated the reference, and how Siouxsie’s signature dramatic eyeliner was updated in a colorful way that complimented Karen’s collection.

To get the look:
Skin was perfected using MAC Face and Body Foundation. Eyes were lined using a mix of MAC Chromacakes, and Mixing Medium to create the neon orange and green eyeliner. Followed by mascara.

Eyebrows were bleached with hydrogen peroxide, to help keep the focus on the eyeliner. And to finish the look, lips were covered with Lip Erase.

The finished look:

With the focus on the colorful eyeliner, hair was influenced by the 90′s grunge look, with styles tailor-made to reflect the natural texture of each girls’ hair.

To get the three different hair looks: Full Form Mousse to add thickness, a mix of Semi Sumo layered with Hair Powder added body, and processed hair was treated with Prep, then Surf Spray to create the grungy texture.

The finished look:

Karen’s clothes are always phenomenal– season after season, I’d wear the entirety of her collections– but the sunglasses continue to blow me away with their uniqueness and continually covetable styles. And of course– their COLORS!

I will definitely be buying these this year.

The shoes are always pretty great too.

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2013 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

THOM BROWNE F/W 2013

Posted on February 19, 2013 by thegreyestghost

Over the past eight seasons, I’ve photographed many exciting, beautiful, and inspiring fashion shows– over 200 of them. Thom Browne’s Fall 2013 show is my favorite of them all. Every detail, from the backstage beauty to spooky, wintery runway show was perfect, making the viewer feel as if they were transported to a couture show in Paris, rather than a loft space in New York’s Chelsea.

Mac Cosmetics’ Sil Bruinsma created a dazzling look inspired by Marie Antoinette, and The Queen of Hearts, focusing on whited out faces and bright red cheeks and lips.

To get the look:
Skin was whited out using white Face and Body Foundation and Studio Fix Fluid, then set with Porcelain Set Powder and Studio Fix Pastel in Shivering White. Circles of Powder Blush in Frankly Scarlet were applied to cheeks to give them a crimson hue. Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose was used to illuminate eyelids. The “petal-shaped” lip look was created using Ruby Woo Lipstick, brushed onto the lips with MAC’s 316 lip brush. Basic Red Pigment was dusted over lips to intensify the look.

The finished look:

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OSCAR DE LA RENTA F/W 2013

Posted on February 15, 2013 by thegreyestghost

The Fall 2013 Oscar de la Renta show was quite an…experience. Security was so tight, I fully expected Michelle Obama herself to be in the audience when I reached the show space at the brand’s Bryant Park showroom. It made for a stressful evening, to say the least. To be 100% honest: if every Oscar show was this intense, I’d probably stop photographing them. (Crazy security, no backstage access, + angry photographers = not my thing.) But in the end, it was worth it to see what happens when you mix two of the most talented fashion designers working today, to create one, inspiring new collaborative collection. And I feel privileged to have witnessed it first hand.

There were many, many hats.

The jewelry and styling at Oscar’s shows are always exceptional. But this collection in particular blew me away.

Bits of the collection here and there had a more witchy, sinister vibe.

You can see Galliano’s touches here and there.

Of the multiple hair and makeup looks for the show, this was my favorite.

One of my favorite looks. I always go for the sparkles.

Oscar goes vamp

I was surprised to see Jessica Stam!

One of my very favorite aspects of this entire collection are the double/triple layered gloves. Some, mesh on mesh, some mesh on leather:

And of course, the princess gowns at the finale:

No one knows where the future lies for Oscar de la Renta and John Galliano. But if this collection was a hint, I predict a lot more vampiness for the brand.

See the full 130+ photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2013 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.