THOM BROWNE F/W 2013

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:

Lead stylist Jimmy Paul for Bumble and Bumble created a “bird’s nest” inspired hair style, finished off with a crown of thorns.

To get the look:
Hair was saturated with Thickening Spray, then blown dry. It was then teased extensively, and wrapped into two French twists. The crown of thorns, and red roses finished the look, which was set with Does It All Hairspray.

The finished look:

Julie Kandalec, for Maybelline used Color Show polish in Keep Up the Flame, painted onto long, pointed nails.

The finished look:

Prepping the “dead” male models.

Thom inspecting the look.

It was amazing watching the finishing touches being put onto the clothing:

Thom Browne.

Downstairs, in the show space, a room full of snow and trees was filled with the “dead” male models, tied to old hospital beds:

When the orchestral music began playing, models marched out, ever so slowly. Some taunting the male models with loving strokes from long-stemmed roses.

I don’t feel as if I possess the vocabulary to do this collection justice. But suffice to say, everything was impeccable. And this really is my favorite fashion show I’ve ever attended.