Reem Acra Runway Show Spring 2009--An Enchanted Attic with Exciting Spring Designs

By the time I arrived backstage for Reem Acra's runway show, Creative Nail design was already hard at work on the nails. "Lighten Up" is the word for this show...a pink that's neither too warm not too cool -- an elegant, ladylike, semi-sheer, pink, the color of soft-spun cotton candy.Amanda, from Creative Nail Design, carries pedicure foams in her belt, to keep her hands, free. In her belt she keeps files and other tools, and a bottle of Creative Nail Design Solar Oil. Solar Oil is great for dry skin and nails. It softens cuticles with Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E, and it can help remove press-on nails, too. Creative Nail design was present at more than 78 shows this season. They use so much solar oil on the models, that by the end of the week, the girls' nails are actually in better condition than when they started the week. press on nails.




Some designers always bring their beloved pets. Last season I remember Reem Acra's dog, LuLu taking her own walk halfway down the runway. When I arrived a man with AO Production was holding Lulu. When Reem arrived, LuLu ran over to see her, tail wagging so hard it looked like a pennant blowing in a stiff breeze! LuLu adores Reem and I think the feeling is mutual. The relationship between the two of them is true (puppy) love! Note that Lulu is wearing one of the bejeweled belts from the Reem Acra Spring 2009 collection--the best dressed doggie in town!



Great shows, like these mules by Manolo Blahnick, don't need to compete with your toenail color


Hair, by GavinHarwin, channelled several hot looks I've been seeing: half up/half down, braids, and soft versions of a beehive or "chiffon."



This look is young and sexy...a little bit Brigitte Bardot meet bohemian chic--but more smooth and elegant. Hair has texture and shine, but it isn't fussy. Products from Cutler Salon were used.



Makeup artist Polly Osmond did the makeup for M.A.C. and Christoper DelCatsillo, a Senior Makeup Artist for the MAC Pro Team, explained the basic look. This photo really doesn't do the finished look justice. Like so many makeup looks for Spring 2008, this one features a fresh face with very little color, neutral matte skin, and a T-zone kept from getting too shiny, by adding powder down the middle of the face. Shimmery highlighter on cheeks give the face a glowing look. The focal point is is the dramatic brows. There is no mascara and no eye liner in this look--just the model's own pretty coloring. Lips are a natural, cool pink. Smoky eyes are still hot for Spring, but ringed with warmer colors. Lips are nude and colored with flesh tones or light pink, or in bright colors such as day-glo orange, are must-haves for Spring 2009. Moistly matte lip glam or gloss replaces patent-leather shine. Chris explained that many of the runway looks that makeup artists design are meant to be "statement" looks for the show, and not necessarily something that a woman should follow, slave-ishly. As with many of the fashions, the idea is to take a feeling away from the look, but not necessarily try to re-create it. If nude lips in a flesh tone leave you looking pale, try a tone that is more in keeping with your own, natural lip color, and spark it up with gloss, for example.

Details are everything in a beautiful collection like this...but to appreciate them you have to see them close up. The pailettes and jewels and beading made every outfit red-carpet ready.

Many of the designs were loose and flowing, but hardly "casual." There were plenty of embellishments in this collection. Even a simple, taupe cocktail dress gets the pailette treatment and a silken rope belt decorated with crystals (similar to the one LuLu the dog wore as a leash).


I loved the beautiful blue and gold fabric, the red, jeweled shirt, and the golden, embroidered silk coat. Here's how that beautiful blue and gold gown looked on the runway.

Here are more looks from the runway. Reem's inspiration for this collection is an incredible attic hidden away at the top of a royal palace. The hidden "treasures" include "semi-precious stomes amd rich fabrics in a rainbow of colors.. creating a cascade of color and glamour...sweeping you away to a dream ball of a fantasy spring world." This collection is part Bollywood coupled with rich, colorful, elegance. These were delicious, red-carpet looks, but some of the pieces were fairly simple--cocktail dresses and jewelled tunics that could even get a vote from a mother of the bride. Note-able were the beading details, as on the red jacket, the crystal pleated dresses in cheerful colors, and the flowing caftans that are not only figure-forgiving, but elegantly unique in a world of "little black dresses." The colorful mules by Manolo Blahnick in contrasting colors, made each outfit just a bit more of a stand-out.

At the end of the show, Reem Acra came out to take her bow, and brought LuLu with her!

Backstage, celebrity fans Singer Danity Kane and Ashanti (in Reem Acra of course) pose with Reem and Lulu.

All content and photos (unless otherwise specifically marked) --Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. Please feel free to link to this post. For other permissions, email the Advice Sisters advicesisters(at)advicesisters(dot)net