Nordstrom at NYFW

NYFW Spring 2010 Runway Wrap-Up

2009-09-18T10:21:10-07:00

As you can see from reading Pamela, Debbi, and Tara's posts, New York Fashion Week has once again been a whirl-wind of exciting events and fashion shows. The spring '10 runways were full of an optimism that designers expressed through beautiful colors, artistic prints, and wearable items--some new and some that we already love. For us, now the editing process to determine the best of the best to share with you at Nordstrom begins.

Here's a recap of our runway favorites:

Blue: aquatic shades that range from pale sky to teal

Abstract Prints: the newest print direction has an artistic feel

Floral Prints: florals continue, this time in blurred, colorful combinations

Sequins: for jackets, tops, and dresses--an instant update for day or night

One-Shoulder Tops and Dresses: for looks with a subtle '80s vibe

Something Short: shorts were the number-one runway choice, followed by above-the-knee printed skirts and dresses

Dresses: T-shirt dresses and easy shifts

Boy-Cut Blazers: the perfect piece to wear with short skirts, dresses or even shorts

Weightless Cardigans: longer in length to wear edge-to-edge with shorts, dresses or skirts

Harem Pants: the "It" pant for spring in silk, jersey or fleece

Bib Necklaces: adorns basics like white shirts and tees

Caged Sandals: the new version of the high-heeled gladiator

Here are some of the key looks from the week:

One-shoulder dress in an abstract print with caged sandals, from Thakoon.

Boy-cut blazer with a floral printed, short dress, from Rebecca Taylor.

Boyfriend blazer and shorts, from Yigal Azrouel.

T-shirt dress, from BCBGMAXAZRIA.

Short, printed dress, from Derek Lam.

Sequin tunic with a blazer and caged sandals, from Anna Sui.

[That's it for us this season. Thanks so much for joining us--we hope you had as much fun reading our blog as we did sharing NYFW with you. Until next time!]

Surfer Girls at Proenza Schouler

2009-09-18T09:51:59-07:00

Didier Malige, lead stylist for Frederic Fekkai, was inspired by the California surfer girl at the Proenza Schouler show. To create beach-tousled waves, he first prepped hair with Fekkai Beachcomber Leave-in Conditioner and then spritzed hair with Coiff Oceanique Tousled Wave Spray. He finished the look by pulling Coiff Magnifique Ultra-light Finishing Creme throughout the hair with his fingers. The resulting look was natural, sexy and sun-kissed.

Diane Kendal, the lead makeup artist for MAC cosmetics, said her inspiration was "boys surfing and skateboarding. Raw boyish makeup--brown eyebrows and tan skin." Warm Bronze Mineralize Blush was brushed onto center of the cheeks for a sunburned look and on eyes, dark brown cream color base blended into creases and under the eye to define and sculpt the eye. Lingering eyebrow pencil was blended throughout the eyebrow for a strong effect then a touch of lip balm completed this look.

Dream Team Backstage at Marchesa

2009-09-18T07:07:17-07:00

Backstage at Marchesa, the NARS Cosmetics team was on makeup, Deborah Lippmann was on nails, and Renato Campora on hair for Fekkai.

The hair was slick, elegant yet trendy. Campora mixed the Fekkai Coiff Extra Control Styling Gel with the Fekkai Coiff Strong Hold Volume Mousse to slick hair into a ponytail in the middle of the back of the head. He then wrapped the ponytail into a tight bun. To keep this looking modern, he wanted the hair to have a wet, shine to it, so he set it with Sheer Hold Hairspray and finished with Glossing Sheer Shine Mist.

Makeup was inspired by the overall collection, which had a Madame Butterfly and Tattoo uniqueness to it. This look was groomed, sexy, but not overtly sexy. The skin was illuminated with Sheer Glow foundation and Luxor Multiple new for spring 2010. Cheeks were done in Penny Lane Cream blush for sheer, see-through color and eyes were highlighted with Nepal single shadow and All About Eve Duo, then defined with the new Larger than Life Mascara.

I love the creative process that goes into a fashion show. Makeup artists, hair stylists and fashion designers are always looking for little details to turn their presentations into a real show. It's what makes the runway, the runway! Here at Marchesa, NARS used differently colored feathers to give the models a more winged effect on their lashes.

Nails were finished by Deborah Lippmann with one of her most requested colors by top designers: 'Fashion'. Similar to hair, it was taking something classic--a neutral nail--and making it more modern. That's exactly what "Fashion" is all about.

Shiseido at Michael Kors

2009-09-17T23:21:13-07:00

One of my highlights of the week was having backstage access to the Michael Kors show to film Dick Page, the Artistic Director for Shiseido, to hear about the look for the show and the new products launching for spring 2010.

The inspiration for this makeup look really came from Michael's collection, using colors seen in the clothes in the eye makeup and just amping it up a bit.

The look was about clean, matte, natural skin with all the interest in the eyes. Dick said, "I'm not really about base, but with so much color on eyes you need to have more foundation to even out the skin and then set with a loose, translucent powder."

To keep it modern, he used the new face highlighters launching in spring to illuminate the area under the eyes and above the cheekbones. They really polish the skin.

Love this backstage tip about eyebrows: apply pencil in a downward motion, then brush it back up. This gives you the most natural-looking brows. Lips were done in a soft, almost-nothing shade to keep the focus on the strong eyes.

Textural Makeup by NARS at Phillip Lim

2009-09-17T22:52:18-07:00

The theme behind the 3.1 Phillip Lim spring 2010 collection was collage, with inspiration springing from the late works of Picasso and the Cubism period. The fashion looks different from every angle leaving a sense of mystery while remaining timeless. The same idea is applied to the makeup by NARS. This look was done all in different textures--matte, sheer, shimmer and shine--all creating a different effect as the model moved around and giving a sense that makeup is there, but not detectable from the plain eye.

"The idea is not to be harsh. The look is part sheer with shades of green, brown and lilac fading into each other," said lead artist Lisa Butler for NARS cosmetics. The key points include highlights of iridescence and gold to the cheekbones, liner (almost invisible) and peach lips (a new lipstick called Cruising, launching spring 2010).

Techno Color with Bobbi Brown

2009-09-17T22:38:11-07:00

The last show of the week for Bobbi Brown was Tibi, and she decided to go for it--bright color that is! Tibi's spring collection is simplistic in structure allowing the signature bright prints and colorful palette to make this season's statement. The makeup for the show is bold, yet pretty, featuring a vibrant, electric-pink eye with hints of yellow that looks great paired with a nude lip.

For Bobbi this was really a runway look. Bright-colored pigments she used on eyes are colors that she brought with her backstage just for use for this show. It's fashion, and it's fun, but maybe not the best look for your everyday makeup. If you do choose to use pink around your eyes, she recommends you use a dark gel liner close to the lash line so you won't look tired.

What was exciting to see backstage were a few new products that will make it to the Bobbi Brown counters next season. Coral Pot Rouge was used high on cheekbones and will hit our counters in February. Coral seems to be one of the big trends everyone is talking about for spring 2010. Also, a new Treatment Lipstick (launching next spring) in a nude color was on lips to keep all the attention on those techno-color eyes.

What We Love: Shoes

2009-09-17T17:40:47-07:00

Fashion Week has to be the best time to check out all the amazing shoes out there. How do you ever pick a favorite? Pumps, flats, slingbacks, kitten heels, platform, peep toe, loafers, knee high boots, ankle boots and of course, the stiletto.

Phillip Lim: The Best Kind of After Party

2009-09-17T16:42:59-07:00

While we knew that Phillip Lim's after party, fashion party, was a hip hop party, what we didn't know, is what that really meant was a full-on dance party. Last night at The Soho Grand Hotel, we were all in the penthouse dancing between the bedrooms and the terrace overlooking the city while Phillip's show played on the flat screen TV next to the living room dance floor. This might go down in our books as our favorite after party EVER.

What We're Seeing: Bow Ties

2009-09-17T16:42:33-07:00

We think the men are looking particularly dapper this year at the tents sporting the bow tie, a staple of men's fashion for years and by the looks of it, the accessory of choice amongst gentlemen this season.

[Check out our Men's Style Guide online now.]

NYFW Spring 2010 Blog Highlights

2009-09-17T14:10:07-07:00

As another Fashion Week winds down, it's nice to look back and reflect on the good times we've had. Plus, it's Thursday, which is the perfect time to catch up on your NYFW blog reading. (You can tell your boss it's research.)

Here are just a few highlights from our coverage:

Bobbi Brown's secret beauty weapon revealed backstage at Brian Reyes
Celebrity sightings and soft silhouettes at Narciso Rodriguez
A Rodarte triple-play: the new signature look, black makeup & body art and after-party pics featuring some familiar faces
Fashion industry icons and spectators all a-Twitter at Alexander Wang
Feminine sportswear and exquisite cocktail dresses at Jason Wu
Eagle-eyed reports on some of NYC's most striking people, places and fashion trends

So how about you? What are your favorites? Catch up with NYC Street Scene, From the Tents and Backstage Beauty on our blog and let us know.