THE BLONDS F/W 2018: BACKSTAGE

The Blonds show what is arguably one of the most fun and innovative collections each NY Fashion Week. Season after season, no one else produces such over the top amazing looks, that find a home on red carpets and concert stages around the world.

Preciosa crystals were also featured, along with bondage belts and accessories form new collaborator CreepyYeha.

This season’s phenomenal nail look from longtime Blonds collaborators CND was inspired by the theme of good vs evil, and “Lucifer as a powerful woman”. Frescos, Red spikes, and studs made frequent appearances, in both the nail art and clothing.

The outstanding nails featured crystals, spikes, flames, crocodile print, heavenly frescos, CND Shellac Gel Polish, and suede.

“The whole story starts with Lucifer as a female. A strong powerful female, burning in the fire, finding the melted, molten marble, protecting herself with armor, and finding her spikes and her crystals”

The complete show’s worth of nails took the CND team over 400 hours to complete!

Sky high hair do’s by ORIBE topped off models’ looks:

While longtime Blonds collaborator Kabuku once again provided a bold makeup look for the show:

Kabuki finishing Daphne Guinness’ makeup.

Daphne’s body suit, by The Blonds.

The accessories are always just as fun as the clothes.

Daphne Guinness, who performed during the show.

The finished nail look:

Lil Kim backstage after the show:

Model Iskra Lawrence:

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2018 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

FALL/WINTER 2018 NYFW SNEAK PEEKS:

As is tradition, I post some of my best shots from each show that I covered this season of fashion week before writing full, in depth posts later. This time, I decided to do one big post with the best images!

Prabal Gurung:

CAROLINA HERRERA SPRING/SUMMER 2018: BACKSTAGE

Years ago, I photographed one of Carolina Herrera’s Bridal Fashion Week shows for BRIDES Magazine. And it was one of the most elegant shows I’ve ever attended. The Spring 2018 show was no different.

Held in the Met Museum (the first time a fashion show has been allowed to take place inside!), the show was gorgeous and magical in a way I haven’t experienced since the final show by the late and great Oscar de la Renta.

Backstage, Morgan Taylor Lead Artist Gina Edwards designed the nail art look, which consisted of an elegant “cloud-like white” nail, created using “Heaven Sent” nail lacquer.

The finished look:

Makeup wise, MAC Cosmetics provided the beauty look, which focused on fresh smooth skin, and a kohl-rimmed eye.

To get the look:

Finishing things off, beauty wise, TRESemmé NYFW Stylist Odile Gilbert presented a “sleek is chic” smooth, straight hair look.

To get the hair look:
Start by washing hair with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner. Generously spray TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray to damp hair, and apply TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Mousse to the roots (before blow drying!). Create a clean center part and blow-dry, use a curling iron to soften the ends and create subtle curve. Take the section of hair (before the ear) on each side and secure underneath the remaining hair with an elastic band at the nape of the neck. To finish, secure the look with TRESemmé TRES Two Freeze Hold Hair Spray for a neat and even consistency.

—Via TRESemmé.

The finished look:

The collection was just as beautiful and elegant as one would expect from Carolina Herrera. Featuring bold, vibrant colors, embroidered gowns, and flirty tulle accents. I would wear almost every one of the stunning dresses presented.

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2017-2018 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

JEREMY SCOTT S/S 2018: BACKSTAGE

Jeremy Scott’s fashion shows are vibrant, colorful affairs in the sea of NYFW “sameness”. Along with the always funky and fun clothing, it’s the perfect environment to catch some of the most innovative and creative beauty brands in the business at work.

Backstage, the ever trendsetting CND showcased bright neon nails, with glitter dipped fingertips. Created by CND Creative Ambassador Miss Pop, the look perfectly complimented the intergalactic space odyssey themed collection by Scott.

After dusting the fingers with silver glitter, the CND team applied nails painted with 2 alternating shades of CND Shellac. Hot Pop Pink, and a neon orange from the upcoming Spring 2018 collection. The oval shaped nails also alternated both gloss, and matte topcoats. Shellac Matte Top Coat created the matte look.

Frequent Jeremy Scott collaborator and MAC Key Makeup Artist Kabuki created a more subtle look than usual for this season’s runway show.

Studio Waterweight Foundation, and Studio Correct and Conceal palette were used to lightly correct and create “newborn baby skin”. For the eyes, lashes were curled, and eyebrows were brushed upward. But no mascara was used. A sheer lip color was then applied in matching tones to mimic each model’s natural lip shade. To finish the look, crystals were dotted under models’ eyes to incorporate the “bling” of the collection.

Supermodel Coco Rocha

To complete the behind the scenes looks, Wella Professionals Global Creative Director and ghd Ambassador, Eugene Souleiman created “sassy” party girl hair styles, unique to each model.

Souleimain said: ““I wanted to create something wearable that is unique to each models individual character. In the past we have created strong, conceptual looks that embrace the mood of the clothes and the statement Jeremy is making. This season the statement is, there is no statement. The hair is relaxed and beautiful. I want every girl to look in the mirror and like the way they look, then leave the show wearing the look.”

Gigi’s bouncy  ponytail

Karlie in the styling chair

To get the look:
1. Blow dry wet hair to straighten and lengthen using ghd Air Hairdryer and Wella Professionals EIMI Perfect Me to hold hair in place
2. Prep hair with Wella Professionals EIMI Extra Volume Mousse, pressing into the hair rather than brushing through to add sharpness and definition and then pull hair back and shape into ponytail ensuring hair is high enough
3. Starting at the roots, use ghd Platinum styler to work downwards, adding more tension as you pull hair down to craft a sleek, straight look. Let hair cool down and then brush out the pony
4. To finish the look spray Wella Professionals EIMI Stay Firm for a strong, controlled finish — VIA WELLA.

Jasmine Tookes with a cute updo

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2017-2018 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

SPRING/SUMMER 2018 SNEAK PEEKS: DAY FOUR

Sandy Liang:

Hair: Danilo for Amika. Makeup: Koh Gen Do

Designer Sandy Liang with her models.

Stay tuned for a full show recap soon!

All Photos and Content ®2017 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

F/W 2017 SNEAK PEEKS: DAY FOUR: JONATHAN SIMKHAI AND GEORGINE

JONATHAN SIMKHAI:

GEORGINE:

All Photos and Content ®2017 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

F/W 2017 SNEAK PEEKS: DAY THREE – TANYA TAYLOR, JEREMY SCOTT, AND CHROMAT

TANYA TAYLOR:

JEREMY SCOTT:

CHROMAT:

All Photos and Content ®2017 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

See all the NYFW F/W 2017 Sneak Peeks here.

F/W 2017 SNEAK PEEKS: DAY TWO – KATIE GALLAGHER

Designer Katie Gallagher

All Photos and Content ®2017 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

THOM BROWNE S/S 2017

Thom Browne’s shows never cease to blow my mind. Season after season, they just keep getting better, more theatrical, and even more innovative than ever. The gorgeous clothing is so consistently fabulous, so photogenic, that I feel privileged seeing its runway debut, and end up still thinking about it years later.

For Spring, the show took place in a colorful tiled set, which led VOGUE to liken it to a ‘Stepford Wives’ pool party’. A description I found quite accurate.  Upon entering the venue, photographers were given white Thom Browne lab coat-style jackets to wear, to further the immaculate illusion.

Backstage, the beauty look focused on big bombshell hair, “fake” tans, and multi-colored pastel lips and nails.

Sil Bruinsma for MAC used MAC’s Pro Longwear Foundation in NC42 to create the orange, fake tan look on models faces. Models got pastel blue, or green lips, depending on skin tone. Liberal layers of mascara were applied to lashes to create a smudged look. With the makeup being finished off with a line of white acrylic paint looping around models’ necks to show a clear line between their fake tanned faces, and untanned bodies.

Bumble and Bumble’s Jimmy Paul created a voluminous retro influenced hairdo to complement the collections old school pool party vibe. (After the hair was curled and set, large floral swim caps were placed on model’s heads until the show.)

TO GET THE LOOK: 1. Apply bumble and bumble Prep. Spray thickening hairspray and Surf spray throughout. 2. Pin into a curling iron set. 3. Once hair is set, let down and brush out curls. 4. Backcomb hair to add volume and lift at the roots. 5. Keep the look in place with Strong Finish. – Via Bumble and Bumble.

The finished look:

One of Stephen Jones’ epic hats created for the show.

The male models in the show wore bird, and cat heads/costumes.

Thom Browne’s fashion shows are very frequently more like theatre, with this years’ offering  consisting of a play in 3 acts. The arrival of the girls–all at once, the de-cloaking of their outerwear, and the swimsuit reveal at the end.

The arrival of the models.

The Queen and her court.

The big reveal.

The classic Thom Browne dog bags were updated for Spring.

Act 3:

The swimsuit reveal!

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ® 2016-2017 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost

TANYA TAYLOR S/S 2017

Tanya Taylor’s collections are always a riot of color. I’ve been following her line since almost the beginning of her career. And love that I can always look forward to seeing fantastic patterns, and bright colors in her designs each season.

The Spring collection’s “island” inspiration was very apparent to the viewer. These were happy, vacation ready clothes, that just viewing made you want to jet off to a far off locale.

As strong as the clothing collection is, Tanya Taylor also consistently features fun, innovative beauty looks each season. While the hair and makeup was more relaxed, and vaction-y, the standout beauty feature of Spring was the funky rainbow wave nail art.

Morgan Taylor Lead Nail Artist Gina Edwards painted each nail with Morgan Taylor New School Nude as a base coat. Next, each tip with hand-painted with half-moon designs, using a selection of multiple Morgan Taylor polishes. Featured colors that were used include Orange You Glad, West Coast Cool, Ahead of the Game, Tropical Punch, Mint Chocolate Chip, Tokyo A Go Go, Sweet Escape, and Deja Blue.

Allen Wood for Bumble and Bumble led the hair team, who created the island friendly hair style, inspired by Tanya’s trips to Cuba and Capri. To get the look: “Mist Surf Spray onto small sections of hair and twist hair around the fingers, alternating the direction of the twist so hair doesn’t become uniform. Blow dry and scrunch hair to create an organic texture. Create a natural center part and tuck hair behind the ears. Once twists have cooled, break up hair by raking with fingers. Finish with Dryspun Finish throughout roots to add volume.” –Instructions via Bumble and Bumble.

  

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2016-2017 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost