Oscar de la Renta Resort 2013

One of the 8million reasons I love Oscar de la Renta’s shows–they keep me on my toes during the “off-season” from fashion week. Things seem quiet, and them bam! Time for another Oscar show.

Yesterday’s Resort show showcased what I would now say is currently my favorite OdlR collection. Yes, I say that about every collection, but that’s the point! After years of designing, the man understands the true meaning of perfection. And when you can create something new and inspiring, and re-invent yourself 5+ times a year, you are in my opinion, a true design genius.

I always know when I truly love a collection when it decimates my vocabulary skills. Suddenly, I forget all adjectives but gorgeous/beautiful/pretty/amazing and start repeating myself like some sort of fashion-crazed parrot, who has just learned to speak.

But truly, the show *was* beautiful as always. I — along with a handful of other photographers once again “live Pinned” the before, during, and after show happenings on Pinterest. You can see the results here. Below, some of my favorite images, along with a few exclusives that weren’t on Pinterest.

Last minute finishing

I could have spent a full day exploring this room

Garden party

Jellies

Even the catering was beautiful

It’s pretty incredible to see what all goes into having a fashion show. It’s all of the tiny details like this that I love, and feel privileged to get to witness.

My favorite dress from the collection

Chantal!

Perfection

Love these sunglasses!

So very Alice in Wonderland

!!!!!

!!!

See the full photo set here

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

Oscar de la Renta Bridal 2013

Yesterday, instead of  dreading another manic Monday, I spent my morning deeply submerged in the world of Oscar de la Renta Bridal.

This was my very first Bridal show, which I can say was even more magical than a “regular” fashion show. I was one of three photographers given a unprecendented 3+ hours of show access, chosen to “Live Pin” the show on Pinterest. The project totally blew up on twitter, and has resulted in some pretty crazy press.

Everything about the show was beautiful. From the so gorgeous you could cry dresses, to the flowers– and little flower girls– even the always on point musical choices. I’ve long felt that Oscar can do no wrong, but seeing all the lacy, delicate and intricately detailed bridal gowns up close and personal just proved to me what a mastery the man has of his craft. Some of my other favorite designers still have occasional seasons of “misses”. But never, ever Oscar.

I absolutely love love loved that “something blue” was incorporated into the show. As one Pinterest commenter mentioned, a handful of the looks were very “Spanish Royalty”, which Oscar being Oscar, is oh so fitting.

Maybe it’s just my photojournalism education making me want to “keep it real”, but as usual, I’ve just done a subtle brightening of colors. A fashion show isn’t exactly the place to go mad abusing photoshop actions on your photos. And really, everything was already so exquisite, why mess with perfection?

Below, more of my favorites from the Pinterest board, with a few never before seen shots thrown in for good measure.

Backstage prep

Such gorgeous hair!

My all-time favorite flowers made an appearance.

These gloves!

Perfection:

The show opener!

The variety of styles and fits of the gowns, to me, made the show even better than I had expected!

So adorable!

And now for my favorites:

Never have I heard a show’s audience audibly gasp like they did when the red finale gown appeared on the runway. So very “Queen Isabella, meets Lydia’s wedding gown in Beetlejuice”.

See the full photo set here.

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

Street Style: Daphne Groeneveld

Outside Preen S/S 2012

Matt Bernson Holiday Sample Sale

One of my absolute favorite sales of the year, the Matt Bernson sample sale, starts tomorrow! I’ve been wearing Matt’s sandals almost as long as I’ve lived in NYC. And I always stop by this bi-annual sale to stock up on more– not only because they are cute and comfortable (which is a must for a city dominated by foot traffic) but the deals are always OUTSTANDING.

He also designs boots, oxfords and wedges now too.

I recommend going early for the best selection, as this sale always draws a huge crowd!

Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2012

Really, what can I say that hasn’t been said before (and by someone much more eloquent than I) about Oscar de la Renta? Decades of designs later, and he’s still managing to impress us all.

Each season, Oscar re-interprets classics, while mixing in dashes of what’s new and fresh. Usually while indulging in a few of my favorite things– sheer fabrics, sequins, and bright jewel tones along the way. There were a lot of all 3 in the pre-fall collection. With a few new stand out show favorites for me as well.

Backstage pre-show I found the usual calm of an Oscar show. Models sipped tea while having their cheeks rouged and hair pinned into one of the coolest, yet simplest buns I’ve ever seen.

Hair by Brian Buenaventura for Orlo Salon.


Definitely a hair look I’ll be trying for myself.

Fresh faced. Makeup by Alice Lane for Jed Root.

This hat, on one of the ladies working backstage also caught my eye:

She made it herself, the night before!

I’d like to steal all of these models’ super cool jackets.

More tea!

Upstairs a bit later, the show, set to another great soundtrack featuring the likes of Coldplay and Rihanna, began.

One key thing that blew me away– the hats, by Patricia Underwood:

I loved the updated take on a 1920′s cloche, re-imagined in sheer fabrics.

The best (and most consistent) thing about Oscar is his attention to detail:

The extra bows…

Embellished jacket…

…and ultra fine crocheted “lace”.

I don’t think anyone does sheer white blouses better:

Everything about this screams romance.

The costume jewelry seriously blows me away every season:

So many patterns. Yet so perfect!

I found the “bread loaf” shaped purses a refreshing change from popular handbag styles.

Golden hoodie dress

Shake it up.

Garden party.

A favorite of mine.

The highlight of the entire show was the group of long, billowy, relaxed gowns that practically danced down the runway:

My absolute favorite– this gold gown and embellished jacket:

See the full photo set here

All Photos ®2011 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

Editorial Outtakes: Preetma

While browsing files on my external hard drive last week, I came across these shots of Preetma Singh, from a Spring editorial I shot for a client– that was never published. They’re too beautiful not to share with the rest of the world, so I’m posting some of the outtakes here.

The shoot (about a girl getting ready for a night on the town) took place in the Warren Tricomi salon, on Manhattan’s UES.


One of my favorite shots. I love this multi-watch look!

Not only is Preetma beautiful, but she’s also amazingly intelligent, and kind!
An attorney who now works at VOGUE, you can catch her inspiring outfit posts, and life adventures on her blog Working Girl, Esq. Seriously–her blog is one of the few style blogs I still read on a regular basis. She’s right up there with Susie Bubble on my list of style bloggers who actually stimulate my creativity and make me want to dress better, and is one of my favorite street style subjects to capture at NYFW.

Show Style: Susie Bubble at Preen

Advance Warning: Carine Roitfeld at Bookmarc

Fashion and Books are two of my favorite things in this world. So I especially love when the two converge. Living in NYC, there are quite a few regular opportunities to meet favorite designers, editors, and photographers. But this is one event that I just cannot miss:

Carine Roitfeld: November 11, 2011 6pm
Signing her new book Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent
Bookmarc
400 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014

(Confirmed via her publisher)

I spoke to Carine during a street style shoot outside of a nyfw show back in 2007. Just chatting with her for 3 minutes was incredibly inspiring and informative. This event should not be missed!

See a sneak peek of Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent, out October here.

Photo ®2010-2011 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

L.A.M.B S/S 2012

This season, l.a.m.b. moved from the largest space in the tents, to the smallest. The lack of designer Gwen Stefani, who was busy recording the new No Doubt album in LA was the likely culprit for the downgrade. But I couldn’t help but feeling a lot more than just Gwen was missing.

Thankfully, the hair and makeup was on par with past l.a.m.b shows. Famous hairstylist and Gwen BFF Danilo never fails to thrill with his amazing and eclectically influenced hair creations.

Danilo, for Pantene created the look for spring, describing it as an “Indian inspired yoga knot”.

To get the look:
Start with Pantene Beautiful Lengths Smoothing Balm, slicking the hair back into a high ponytail. Next, black ponytail extensions (using extensions from Flawless by Danilo) were fastened around the natural pony. Hair was then twisted into a messy topknot, and secured with an elastic.

An old-school l.a.m.b for lesportsac wristlet setting on the counter backstage.

Nails were by ESSIE. Using 2 coats of the upcoming Winter 2012 color “Bobbing for Bubbles”, celebrity manicurist Elle created an eye-catching look for the models nails.

ESSIE founder and president Essie Weingarten was backstage to see her creative team in action:

Maybelline’s Charlotte Willer created an updated smokey eye to coincide with the Indian-themed inspiration.

To get the look: Create a smooth surface with Fit Me Foundation and Pressed Powder on the face. Next, using a damp makeup brush, gray shadow from Maybelline Pink Persuasion Eye Studio Color Plush palette was applied around the top and bottom of eyes. Eyes were finished with black liner around the entire eye, and multiple coats of Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. Finally, cheeks were enhanced with Maybelline Blush Deep Rose in Pink, with lips finished using Color Sensational Popstick Lip Color Gloss in Pink.

The finished look:

I’d love to try this smokey cat eye out for myself!

I can’t help but feel deja-vu to past l.a.m.b seasons…

Unfortunately, I was more impressed by the backstage beauty than the actual clothes for Spring. As a fan from the very first season, I have to say this collection left me wanting. It was nothing new, from a brand made famous by its ability to transform a wide variety of influences into a unique creative collection.

This sweater was my favorite piece in the collection.

The saving graces of the collection would definitely be the patterns–Gwen is never afraid to take risks mixing prints and patterns. I found this season’s shoes, and the jewelry, by NOIR to be the standouts by far.

Amazing bracelet by NOIR!

These shoes are a breathtaking electric navy blue in person.

The pieced together look of the woven handbags was fun, but didn’t quite grab my attention like the older seasons of l.a.m.b bags have in the past.

Sadly, l.a.m.b seems to have lost many of the little touches (like Gwen’s lyrics incorporated into the clothing) that initially set it apart from other brands, and the sea of much less inspired celebrity clothing lines.

Here’s hoping Gwen Stefani is back to her usual inspiring level of creativity that brand devotees are accustomed to by Fall 2012.

See the full photo set here.

All photos and content ®2011 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

NYFW Street Style: Outside Milk Studios

After Jeremy Laing