JONATHAN SIMKHAI S/S 2019

For Spring 2019, Jonathan Simkhai went back to his roots, in the form of an intimate presentation, vs. a runway show. As one of my favorite homegrown NYC (now LA!) designers, I’ve been following his career since I attended his very first show. So it’s amazing to see how far he’s come, and how his design work has grown.

Backstage, things were as beautiful as ever. Grace Lee for Maybelline NY created a fresh faced look, with a focus on wine stained lips.

To get the look, Lee applied Composer to the center of model’s lips, then quickly used BabyLips to smudge and blend it outward, before the matte lipstick dried.

 

Odile Gilbert for TRESemmé created a 1960’s inspired look with sleek, straight hair, accented by 2 small braids (one on each side). To complete the style, the ends of the braids were finished off with small wooden beads.

The step by step to get the look: Start by washing hair with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner to create a frizz-free foundation. Part hair in the centre. Spray TRESemmé Repair & Protect Pre-Styling Spray to prevent damage and then blow dry hair with a paddle brush. Use hair straighteners to achieve a sleek and smooth finish. Spray generously with TRESemme Dry Shampoo for texture. Then, take a small section of hair from either side, tightly plait and fasten with a hair tie. Add wooden beads for additional 60’s-style chic. Finish the look with TRES TWO Micro Mist Hair Spray to keep the look in place without creating stiffness.

 

For the final beauty touch, Côte toxin free nail polish was used to accentuate model’s nails in a nice, soft neutral shade.

The complete beauty look:

Upstairs, models prepared for the presentation, and posed for photographers before the arrival of the guests.

The collection featured softer looks, and represented a departure form-fitting gowns Simkhai is known for. While it might represent a change– it was a welcome one. The collection was beautiful, hippie dreamware any woman would want to own.

Straight out of Romeo and Juliet.

See the full photo set here.

All photos and content ® 2018-2019 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.

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.

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.

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

SPRING 2017 NYFW SNEAK PEEKS: DAY EIGHT

The eighth and final day of NYFW’s Spring 2017 season was a special day for me, because I got to live out a dream. The dream of finally attending a Marc Jacobs show.

Thanks to my collaboration with Tumblr, I was invited to the show, and was able to photograph some of it from up in the balcony. For those of you who did not know before– I was a member of Tumblr’s SS17 NYFW team, and was sent to photograph many shows on their behalf. (You can read the official announcement here.)

But without further ado, here are my favorite photos from the Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2017 show, which completely blew me away with its beauty:

See the full photo set of Spring 2017 NYFW Sneak Peeks here.

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

SPRING 2017 NYFW SNEAK PEEKS: DAY SEVEN

NAEEM KHAN:

ANNA SUI:

MARCHESA:

See the full photo set of Spring 2017 NYFW Sneak Peeks here.

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

SPRING 2017 NYFW SNEAK PEEKS: DAY SIX

Fashion Week was so crazy busy this season, that things got a little behind. Here are some sneak peeks of the best things I saw on Tuesday (with more forthcoming!):

RODARTE:

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

See the full photo set of Spring 2017 NYFW Sneak Peeks here.

THOM BROWNE F/W 2016

It should be pretty clear by now to anyone who reads this site occasionally, that Thom Browne is my favorite fashion designer currently showing in New York. More spectacle than traditional fashion show, his shows are my hands down favorite, can’t miss event of each season.

For Fall, the collection was inspired by “a walk in the park”– meaning Washington Square Park– circa one hundred years ago. Hair, usually styled more outlandishly season by season, was quite tame, allowing for the impeccable hats by Stephen Jones to shine instead. A vivid blue eyeshadow look brightened up the models’ pale faces.

According to Bumble and Bumble Lead Stylist Jimmy Paul, the hair style had a bit of a retro inspiration. “There’s a slight 1920s reference to the hair. Thom wanted the head as small as possible so we discussed ways to keep the hair close to the head. We’re essentially doing a wig wrap, the same way you’d prep the hair before putting on a wig. We’re going to make a headband with the hair and we’re using enough hairspray to make it look wet and actually stick.”

To get the hair look: Jimmy used a traditional wig wrap technique to get the hair as tight to the head as possible. Wrapping the hair from one ear around the head, the hair was wet down with Thickening Hairspray to give the hair hold.

To finish, Jimmy applied Bb.Gel for shine. –Instructions Via Bumble and Bumble.

Nails were painted in a pastel rainbow of colors. Lead manicurist Julie Kandalec, using ESSIE polish, created the look. The colors used (alternating on different models) were: Allure, Bikini so Teeny, Muchi Muchi, and Petal Pusher.

The finished look:

MAC Cosmetics’ genius makeup artist Sil Bruinsma (a frequent Thom Browne collaborator) remixed a classic 1920’s smokey eye, using bright vibrant blue eyeshadow.

To get the look:

Via MAC Cosmetics

The finished look:

Once the beauty preparations were complete, I headed downstairs to see the clothes, and accessories.

Dog bags!!!
Finishing the clothes:

I also caught Stephen Jones in the midst of finalizing some hats for the show:

Right before the show began:

Thom Browne adjusting a look.

One of my favorite models (and my friend!) Mick Szal opened the show as “The Woman in Red”.

See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2016 Rachel Scroggins

SNEAK PEEK: FALL/WINTER 2016 NYFW – DAY FIVE

Jeremy Scott:

Anna K:

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Karen Walker:

Thom Browne:

See the full album of Fall/Winter 2016 Sneak Peeks here.

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

DELPOZO S/S 2016

DELPOZO is a brand that almost seems as if it would be more suitable to show at Paris fashion week. Frequently referred to as “demi-couture”, the brand’s epic, handmade collections are the highlight of my every NYFW, and the perfect way to end the frenzy of each season.

Backstage, the look was all about a fresh face topped off with glitter eyes, and ultra-long, sleek hair.

MAC lead makeup artist Monica Marmo described the look as having “skin super fresh like a flower, with metallic eyes for a little controversy.” This is “a woman from the future who is modern, but soft and beautiful.”

Moroccanoil Creative Director Antonio Corral Calero created a very long, easy hairdo, with a twist– literally! Hair featured a small, twisted ponytail in the center.

To get the look:

Apply 22-24″ extensions, for hair that is not naturally long.
Starting with damp hair, apply Moroccanoil Treatment and Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream to create the foundation of the style. Blow dry sleek and smooth.

Once thoroughly dry, create a deep left side part. Gather 3″ sections at each side of the part and mist with hairspray. Comb sections back behind the ears and secure underneath the bulk of the hair at the nape of the neck with an elastic. This small ponytail should be hidden.
Flat iron all of the loose hair, gently rolling the iron from the mid-shaft to ends to create a natural bend.
Brush all of the loose hair smooth into a very low and loose ponytail – about mid-back – and secure with an elastic.
Use your finger to divide the ponytail in half above the elastic (creating a hole). Flip the ponytail up and through the hole to create the twisted style.
Set the style with a gentle mist of hairspray. — via Moroccanoil.

Finally, Julie Kandalec for ESSIE created an adorable, subtle glitter nail that perfectly complimented the eye makeup, using Sparkle On Top.

Two things I love the most about Delpozo collections: they always use interesting fabrics and materials, and play with volume. I can’t think of many other modern designers who have so much fun creating unique shapes and garments out of fabric.

Spring also marked the introduction of a handbag collection:

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See the full photo set here.

All Photos and Content ®2015-2016 Rachel Scroggins/The Greyest Ghost.