I found it very fitting that one of the most theatrical and entertaining shows of NY Fashion Week took place on the last (for me) day. The Blonds’ shows are always a sight to see, as much a true spectacle as one can find during fashion week.

This season, I not only photographed the runway show, but ventured backstage as well. There, I found hair and nails just as show-stopping as the clothes.

CND nail tech Kristina Eastabrooks created a 20 sets of glamorous, sparkling nail tips for the show– that took over 100 hours to complete! The details on the nails, which featured materials like crushed geometric glass, 24k gold leafing, Swarovski crystals, and hand painted designs, were truly amazing:

The finished nails:

Dennis Lanni for Bumble and Bumble created “Jessica Rabbit”, curvy big hair that corresponded with the show’s classic 60′s heyday Playboy theme.

Dennis himself is a huge fan of 60′s era beauty, and it’s “big healthy hair”, but also insured the look didn’t veer too far into “pageant hair” territory.

To get the look:

Hair was sprayed down with Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray. A large barrel curling iron was then used to curl hair, which was then pinned on the top of the head to set.

Once pins are removed, hair was back-combed with a fine bristled (not nylon!) brush. Hair was finished with Spray de Mode for hold.

The finished look:

Phillipe Blond gets the model treatment

The clothes themselves showed off an equally intense attention to detail:

Hand-finishing a corset right before the show

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

Karen Walker’s collections expertly toe the line between girly and tom-boyish, interjecting bright, quirky prints that keep things fresh season after season.

For her Spring show’s nail art, Karen wanted a color that screamed “summer”. CND lead nail tech Wanda Ruiz created a custom lemon-lime sherbert color by mixing 2 existing CND polishes.

7 drops of Blackack were added to the bright yellow shade Bicycle, which was painted onto models’ nails in 2 coats. 1 coat of AirDry Top Coat was applied to finish the look.

A closer view of the finished look:

Laurent Philippon for Bumble and Bumble created a rock and roll inspired boyish 40′s hairstyle.

Careful to note that this style can be dangerous if it veers into “wedding-ish” territory, the look was slightly disheveled, and meant to be a style that could easily be a “cool girl DIY”. The result was one of my favorite hairstyles of the season!

To get the look:
Hair was sprayed with Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray (a favorite product of mine!) at the roots, then blow dried. Surf Spray was misted over the length of the hair to mattify. Hair was then rolled, and secured with bobby pins. Laurent then roughed up the hair using his hands, to create a disheveled look. Hair was finished with a spray of Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder, in corresponding shade to match the models’ hair.

The finished look:

Additionally, a handful of the models’ hair was styled with “do rags” made from Karen’s prints:

Makeup by Clinique

Prints are always the highlight of Karen Walker’s collections:

Designer Karen Walker

Many guests at the show wore dresses from Karen’s F/W ’11 collection:

Karen makes the best boyfriend blazers

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

For two seasons in a row now, Jen Kao’s collections have provided some much needed color during New York Fashion Week. Never afraid to mix colors and patterns, Kao’s designs continually push the envelope and become more progressive. For Spring, the nail art proved to be just as revolutionary.

Inspired by poisonous frogs, CND lead nail tech Wanda Ruiz created “lethal love” nails, a “dark sided” ombre look:

To get the look, CND’s Midnight Sapphire, Anchor Blue, Rouge Red, and Green Scene were airbrushed onto artificial nails. Followed by a layer of CND Blackjack. Nails were finished with a layer of Air Dry Top Coat.

The jungle-esque nail art perfectly complimented the beautiful bird of paradise inspired jewelry, and prints of Jen Kao’s spring collection, making it one of my absolute favorite shows of S/S ’12:

Drool-worthy gladiator sandals

Handmade paper art worn by models in the show

My favorite piece in the collection

The show opener

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

VPL by Victoria Bartlett led the way in introducing the world to underwear as outerwear. So it was fitting that for Spring, nudity and nakedness and bare skin played a large roll in the backstage beauty looks for the show.

Nonie Creme

Nails, by Butter London for Beauty.com were simple and natural. Founding creative director Nonie Creme chose a nude shade the emphasised the “sexual but not crass” nature of the collection.

To achieve the look, Creme used two coats of Butter London Flawless Base Coat, topped with Butter London Tea with the Queen. Nails were finished with Butter London Hardware P.D. Quick Topcoat. (It was emphasized how important using a base coat is, especially when using nude or light colors on nails. Advice that, from now on, I will always be taking!)

The finished look:

Just a few of the many lovely Butter London shades available!

Clé de Peau Beauté color creator, Lucia Pieroni was inspired by the idea of “living mannequins” for VPL’s spring show. Skin was prepped with Refining Fluid Foundation SPF24. Color was applied to eyelids, using the two brown colors from Eyeshadow Quad in #208. No liner or mascara was used. Brows were filled using Eyebrow and Eyeliner Compact in 1 and 2.

#12 Gold Luminizing Enhancer in 12/Gold was dusted onto cheeks to give models a subtle glow. The look was finished with Enriched Lip Luminizer #201/Sweet Lychee on lips.

Bob Recine for Phyto created a wet “just out of the shower” style for the show. To get the look: Hair was saturated with Phyto Professional Intense Volume Mousse, then slicked back over the crown of the head, while the ends remained loose. Phytolaque Soie Light Hold Hair Spray was sprayed onto a toothbrush to tame flyaways. Hair was set with Phyto Professional Workable Holding Spray.

The finished hair/makeup/nail look:

Gorgeous!

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

For his Spring 2012 show, designer Phillip Lim was inspired by kites. The flowing, geometric characteristics found their way not only into the clothing, but the backstage beauty looks as well.

Odile Gilbert for Kérastase created a “windblown knot” hairstyle for the runway. Gilbert smoothed and straightened the hair by applying Kérastase Fibre Architecte, then blowing dry. Hair was then tied into a low, messy knot. Pieces from the crown were removed, and pinned sideways along the back of the head to give hair a wind swept appearance.

NARS National Makeup Artist Francelle took Lim’s kite inspiration one step further, creating a sweeping eyeshadow look that mimicked a kite-tail.

To get the look: Francelle prepped skin with PRO-PRIME Pore Refining Primer, and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. Copacabana Illuminator was dabbed onto cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and the bow of the lip to add a glowing effect. The inner lids of the eye were lined in NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte.

The crease of the eyelids were highlighted with a mix of NARS Night Life Eyeshadow and the silver color from the NARS Paris Duo Eyeshadow Palette. Eyes were finished with six coats of NARS Larger Than Life Mascara. Lips were coated with a light layer of concealer, then brushed with NARS Gaeity Blush to add a girlish tone.

Some of the products used.

Angi Wingle

CND Nail Tech Angi Wingle created a subtle nail “stain” that let the natural color of the models’ nail beds shine through. The “raincoat of color” goes on as a transparent, natural nail enhancer, rather than an opaque color. To create the color, Angi added 4-5 drops of CND Raspberry Parfait to CND Speedy Topcoat.

While explaining the steps to get this look, I learned that the same process can be applied to old or dry nail polish. Just add a few drops of topcoat to renew the color!

The final hair/makeup/nail look:

Models preparing for a run-through

Covetable sandals

Designer Phillip Lim, mid-interview

While many of his creations are more minimalist than my personal taste, Lim’s Spring collection stood out to me for it’s use of sherbert-inspired shades, and colorful leathers.

It also season after season consistently features one of the best runway soundtracks of any show I’ve ever attended. For Spring, it was Jamie of The XX’s “Far Nearer”.

The raincoat that inspired this season’s nail art.

See the full photo set here

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

Some seasons, fashion week gets so intense that 20,000+ photos later (yes, you read that right), you don’t even know where to start. Which, along with an untimely hard drive crash, is how it came to be that my Oscar de la Renta show coverage is posting a bit…late.

Despite the months passing, I’m just as obsessed with this collection as ever. Take a look, and find out why:

The darling Lindsey Wixson

Backstage, it was all about BIG HAIR.

Almost there!

I say this every season, but one aspect of Oscar’s collections that never ceases to amaze me: the impeccable details of every piece.

I was so happy to see the incorporation of neon into the Spring collection. I can’t get enough of it!

Surprise spotting backstage– Nicki Minaj!

Also backstage: Bryan Boy

The Spring collection featured quite a few billowing ball gowns fit for royalty:

The collection stayed young and fresh with the sprinkling of cute bobby-socks with heels, and lots of white, delicate dresses:

The headbands were to die for!

Perfect for a beach wedding

My favorite dress in the collection:

After the show, I managed to catch the de la Renta family, with friend Daphne Guinness:

See the full photo set here.

More Oscar de la Renta:
Pre-Fall 2012
Resort-2012
Fall 2011
Fashion’s Night Out 2011
Spring 2011 Showroom Visit

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

Preen’s S/S ’12 show was one of the most surprisingly beautiful shows I attended all season. I knew to expect an elegant collection, but left the show completely blown away by just how gorgeous and colorful everything was! Every aspect of the show, from the silhouettes of the dresses to the hair gave me a sense of an updated, neon, neo-Victorian meets 1940′s by way of “Blade Runner” vibe.

The hair, by Paul Hanlon for AVEDA was a geisha-inspired, but reminiscent of a modern, youthful update of the popular 1940′s Victory Rolls style.

Lindsey Wixson.

HAIR STEP-BY-STEP BY PAUL HANLON FOR AVEDA
1. Prep hair by spritzing throughout with Aveda Volumizing Tonic, blow dry with a round brush. Work hair away from the face and neck to keep the hairline clean. If hair is dry or damaged, begin by prepping with Aveda Brilliant Damage Control, and follow with Aveda Volumizing Tonic.
2. Once dry, gently brush hair away from the face and let hair part naturally on the left side. Smooth hair with a fine-toothed comb and a light mist of Aveda Air Control Hair Spray.
3. On the right side of the head at the top of the ear, begin to twist hair toward the back of the head, staying just on top of the parietal ridge. Use a tail comb to neatly bring hair up into the roll, and secure the roll with “U” pins. Avoid twisting too tightly at this point.

4. Continue twisting toward the back of the head following the natural hairline. Twist all the way to the nape, secure hair with a clip.
5. Repeat twist on the left side, starting slightly lower, one to two inches above the top of the ear, sloping downward at the back of the head to create a “U” shape when twists meet at the nape.

6. Neatly brush hair upward from the hairline to create a seamless connection between the two twists. This gives the appearance of a single, smooth, twisted roll that snugly wraps around the head.
7. Use Aveda Air Control Hair Spray and the end of a tail comb to smooth all wisps and flyaways while replacing “U” pins with bobby pins, snugly tucked and hidden.
8. Finish with Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine. – Via AVEDA

Paul also explained an easy way for the average woman to replicate this style– by twisting 2 ponytails near the front of the head, rolling, and pinning. Secure the style with Paul’s favorite product: AVEDA Air Control, a dry hairspray.

The finished look:

Daphne Groenveld

The retro inspired collection was modernized beautifully by the use of bright, showstopping color, and digital prints.

“This collection is a modern take on Victorian aesthetics. Flowers are digitized; colors and lines are defined by the way light reflects and refracts through a prism. The result is an intersection of romance and pure modernity.” — Thea Bregazzi for Preen

Another look at the gorgeous hair

The collection was even more impressive on the runway:

Overall? Preen was one of my top 5 favorite shows of the season!

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

After past season looks featuring jellyfish inspired braids, and colored hair pieces, the backstage beauty at Mandy Coon’s Spring show was much more low maintenance.

Rolando Beauchamp for Bumble and Bumble created a look that eschewed “effortless glamour”, and brought to mind mermaid hair one usually finds after a long day at the beach.

To get the look: Bumble and Bumble Gel was applied to damp hair, which was parted in the center, and then blown dry. Using a 1 inch curling iron, random sections of hair were curled– leaving the ends loose/un-curled.

Next hair was set with Bumble and Bumble Grooming Cream. Finally, Bb Texture Hair (Un)Dressing Cream was applied to “rough up” hair and achieve a “matte finish”.

NARS National Makeup Artist Francelle created a low maintenance look, inspired by artist Mark Rothko. Eyes were “color blocked”, and lips mimicked the stain one gets after eating raspberries.

To get the look: Francelle started with NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer on skin. Next, a combination of The Multiple in Laguna and Bronzing Powder were dusted over cheekbones. For lips, Bilbao Lipstick was applied first, followed by a dab of Valparaiso Pure Matte Lipstick over top, which Francelle applied using her finger. Lids were painted with Lhasa Eye Shadow and Douces Frances Trio (using the pink shade). Santa Monica Boulevard Eye Liner Pencil was used in the inside corners of eyes, with Black Moon Eye Liner Pencil lining the outer edges.

The finished look:

Mandy Coon’s collections are consistently a favorite of mine, and the Spring collection– inspired by Mandy’s love of rocks and crystals, and featuring an intriguing mix of textures and materials– is just as cutting edge as I’ve come to expect.

Jamie Bochert opened the show.

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

Peter Som’s Spring 2012 show was exploding with bursts of colorful– both on the runway and backstage.

WELLA Professionals creative director Eugene Souleiman created a “rich girl gone bad”, Courtney Love meets the 1960′s influenced hair style that wasn’t “too ladylike”, to contrast with the ultra-feminine floral looks of the collection.

Peter Som’s S/S ’12 inspiration board


Extensions, waiting to be applied!

To get the look: Wella Professionals Perfect Styling Blow Dry Lotion and Velvet Amplifier were applied to damp hair, then blown dry. Hair was parted at the side, then curled, and misted with Wella Professionals Pro Ocean Spray. Next, Souleiman ran his fingers through hair, to tousel and break up curls.

To finish the look, Wella Professionals color ambassador Aura Friedman added platinum extensions colored with pale rose-gold hues (shadowed at the root to help disguise the extensions) to add a 3-D look and focal point to hair. Extensions were secured with bobby pins to the side of the part, where a veil of hair was brushed over top to allow the color to peek through.

Some of the products used

The finished look:

Another reason the rose-gold tones were chosen? They flatter all skin tones and hair colors.

MAC’s Tom Pecheux used a combination of MAC Fig. 1 Eye Shadow with MAC Pro Indian Ink Small Eye Shadow Pro Palette blended above the crease for a retro inspired look. To finish the face, MAC Innocence, Beware! Lipstick was rubbed onto lips for a subtle stained effect.

ZOYA lead nail tech Sunshine Outing used ZOYA’s Erin to create a light “micro-glazed” effect.

Overall, I thought the edgy yet still feminine beauty direction complemented the clothes quite well!

My personal favorite

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

Who: Hyden Yoo
What: Spring/Summer 2012
Where: The Cabana at the Maritime Hotel

Hyden Yoo’s S/S ’12 collection was influenced by neo-colonialism, and the 1992 film L’amant (The Lover).

The presentation’s location couldn’t have been more fitting for this 1920′s Indochine inspired collection. The unseasonably sweltering temperatures in NYC only enhanced the illusion of traveling to a foreign place and time.

Behind the curtain:

A closer look:

Designer Hyden Yoo, with models

Verdict:
Comfy colonial cool, with a modern twist. For boys and girls!

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost