Ran into my current favorite style icon, fashion designer Ulyana Sergeenko this morning at the Derek Lam show. Impeccably dressed, as always!
All Photos and Content ®2013 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.
Back on the very first unofficial day of NYFW, I stopped by backstage at Erin Fetherston’s S/S 2013 show. While I sadly couldn’t stay for the presentation (I had to dash uptown to another show!), I got to spend some time learning about the girlish, fun Brigitte Bardot inspired look.
Kérastse’s Odile Gilbert took the Bardot inspiration and “toughened it up” with a (working!) zippered headband. Bangs were parted to the side, then twisted back into the zipper’s opening.
To get the look: Hair was prepped with Kérastse Mousse Volumative to add body. Hair was then curled into loose waves using a large barrel curling iron. After securing hair with the headband, the look was finished with Double Force Hair Spray, and a small dollop of Elixir Ultime Rose Milleanaire on the ends.
MAC lead makeup artist Lyne Desnoyers was inspired by photos Erin showed her, shot by photographer Ellen von Unwerth. In response, she created a “neo-cat eye” tailored to the shape of each models’ eyes. The look was thick on the upper lash line, while gently blended on the bottom.
To get the look: Skin was perfected with MAC Cosmetics Pro Concealer Palette, and Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation. A mix of Cream Colour Base in Pearl, and Luna were used to highlight cheekbones. With Skinsheen Bronzer dusted over the face to give the models a warm glow. Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline was used on upper lids for the cat eye, with the lower lashes finished with Carbon eye shadow. The lip color was a custom blend of orange, white, and nude Lip Mix.
Erin wanted nail art that complimented the clothing, but that would also serve as an additional “accessory”.
Butter London’s Katie Hughes painted nails in two shades: “Lillibet’s Jubilee”, a metallic violet-silver, and “The Full Monty”, a metallic gold.

Designer Erin Fetherston
See the full photo set here.
All Photos and Content ®2012-2013 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.
Much like last year, I had a fun, magical FNO on the UES of Manhattan at the Oscar de la Renta store with friends, a great band, and Oscar himself. Oh, and a lovely actress you may recognize.
It was over in the blink of an eye. But I had so much fun, between the event, and my daily shows, I’m now exhausted, and having trouble keeping my eyes open long enough to write this! I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves again, because really, what more is there to add?
Every season, right before fashion week begins, I like to revisit some of my favorite nyfw images from the season before. I’ll be updating soon about all the fun things I have planned for SS13 (60+ shows! New collaborations! Two photographers shooting!), but for now, check out the “best of” my FW12 images:
All Photos ®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
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.
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

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
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.

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
Katie Gallagher creates collections that completely embody a theme with more skill than any other young designer I have ever encountered. With a talent, vision, and work ethic that defies her years, Katie’s collections are a consistent favorite, season after season.
For Spring, Katie was inspired by blood. “Not the blood of nightmares of brutality, but the blood that’s sanguine, living and the brightest red. Always moving, coursing, and restless inside us. All the while staying hidden to the outside world.”
Every last detail of her show is executed to perfection. Hair and makeup looks are just inspired as Katie’s designs, this season drawing inspiration from the bloodstream (makeup) and the heart (hair). Even the set design (vials of blood) and hand-picked show music complements the designs.
Makeup artist Javier Romero “imagined dipping the model’s face inside a blood vessel”, and created his own mascara to capture the precise look.
Romero first applied MAC Mineralize Charged Water Moisturizer, followed by Matchmaster SPF15 Foundation to even out skin. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Foundation was dusted over the T-zone. For eyes, MAC Chromographic Pencil in Pro Basic Red was used around the upper lash line. MAC Pro Lash, MAC Mixing Medium, and Mac Pigment in Pro Basic Red were mixed together to create red mascara. Next, MAC 30 Lash was applied to upper lashes, and eyelids were glossed with MAC Pro Gloss Texture.
For lips, Romero started with MAC Chromographic Pencil in Pro Basic Red, then blended MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust. Finishing with MAC Pro Longwear Clear Gloss.
Hair stylist Cesar Ramirez was also inspired by the blood concept, leading him to create a look inspired by the heart, and the movement of blood vessels.

Preparing for the show to begin

This jacket is another favorite
See the full photo set here.
My coverage of Katie Gallagher’s previous shows:
Fall/Winter 2011
Spring/Summer 2011
Fall/Winter 2010
All Photos and Content ®2011-2012 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost
When rumors of this year’s FNO events started swirling around, I wondered, what could I possibly do that would top spending the past two years of FNO with Gwen Stefani. Well tonight, I got my answer!
Thanks to the amazing ladies of Oscar de la Renta’s PR department, I got to spend Fashion’s Night Out watching Oscar himself, and a mariachi band sing to the crowd in his Madison Avenue boutique. The store was packed full of friends and admirers, but everyone was so happy and excited, it wasn’t as overwhelming as some FNO events can be.
Everyone was laughing, and cheering, and having fun. At one point, the crowd went wild. Assuming everyone was really excited for Oscar to begin singing again, I was shocked to look up and see Sarah Jessica Parker had made her way to the stage to be serenaded by Oscar.
After a few songs, both Sarah Jessica, and Oscar made lovely speeches, gushing over how much they admire each other. It was adorable, and almost made me a little teary eyed. When SJP was on her way out, I got to tell her the effect her speech had on me as she passed by, which she said was sweet.

The crowd saying goodbye to Oscar.

Whatever these are, they were made with some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. And I don’t really even like chocolate!
Soon it was time for me to head home. I couldn’t believe it was just after 8pm– It’s been such a long day, it felt more like midnight. But it’s safe to say my FNO adventure might have been short, but it was definitely sweet. Like the past two years of FNO, I’ll be sure to remember tonight forever.
See more photos from FNO at Oscar de la Renta here.
®2011 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.