Fashion Week Day 2- MISS SIXY runway show

I have always wanted to cover the Miss Sixty runway show, because the fashions are so edgy, fun, and funky, with a true "rock star" vibe. This season, I was able to visit backstage before the show, to cover the MAC Cosmetics makeup team, led by amiable and talented, Polly Osmond.

I asked Polly what the theme was for the show, and she immediately mentioned two obviously rock-star names: Patti Smith and Blondie. The clothes are young, hip, and cook, so the makeup had to be totally "rock star" as well. For starters, this is a look with absolutely no blush, and a clear, shiny lip gloss but no other color on the lips. ALL the color comes from the sexy, lined eye that you can see on the model. For more information on how to do this look, more photos of the makeup, and what products were used, check our FEATURES page at: http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html in mid-September, where I will be listing all the Fashion Week Spring 2008 features as they are posted. When asked about what will be hot for Spring 2008, Polly said: "The trends really come from the Paris runway shows such as Prada and Louis Vuitton," but Polly also hinted that she thinks golden colors, more browns, beiges and neturals will be hot for Spring 2008.

And at MAC Cosmetics, where makeup artists are busy covering more than 70 shows this week, a MAC representative told me that the backstage area is a place where MAC Cosmetics can test new products on the models, and the makeup artists can provide valuable feedback on what the final form of the product will be. I'll provide more details in my Miss Sixy feature, later on, but there is a new, loose powder mineral foundation with SPF 15 that makeup artists will use at some of the shows (although not at Miss Sixty) and also in Milan, and Paris. The final formula will ve available in the Spring. MAC is also testing a new, full coverage shine lipstick for Fall 2008, and a beige, pressed eyeshadow with a hint of pearle that will make it's debut as a super-smooth, easy to apply formula.

Neil Moody from Bumble & Bumble was responsible for the hair, which he told me was also inspired by the clothes, and the rock star vibe. He suggested a 70's meets 80's idea (Stevie Nicks mixed with Blondie), with lots of full texture and (the big surprise) a very, very matte look. While stylists have been adding shine and bounce, this look takes products such as Bumble & Bumble's color powders, to matte it down with no shine. The waves were made with a curling iron, wrapped into soft ringlets that were brushed out nearly (but not completely) straight with a Mason Pearson brush.

Here is a photo of one of the dresses I liked, but I couldn't get into the show to see it on the runway despite my best efforts. The best I could do is stand in the lobby, stare at the monitor, and take a photo of it!