AdviceSisters ARAKS Mercedez Benz Fall 2007 Fashion Week Review

Feminine and romantic, but with attitude...no wonder fans of Araks designs include Sofia Coppola, Amanda Peet, Michelle Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Chloe Sevigny, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Now that I've seen her Autumn 2007 collection, I'm counting myself as a fan, too! Here is my report on Araks ready to wear runway show for Autumn, 2007. I hope you enjoy it!

When I arrived at the Altman Building early on Sunday morning, people were already lining up outside, despite the very chilly weather, well managed by the staff of People's Revolution. I got to backstage a couple of hours early, but a lot of the models had already finished hair and makeup. That gave me a chance to talk to James Boehmer, the lead makeup artist for NARS Cosmetics. You can see James above, checking his notes (and, from time to time, also checking the work of his team). James told me that his inspiration for makeup for the Araks so was Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. As you can see from the photo below, the makeup look is romantic, but elegant--a perfect partner for the clothes.

The model has a balanced, fresh feeling on her entire face. Unlike a lot of the makeup I saw on the runways for Fall, 2007, this look was not overly "done" or avant-garde--it was simply, pretty. The look doesn't focus just on the eyes, on a bold lip, or a blush, but it is about a flawless and fresh-looking complexion. Who wouldn't look beautiful with these slightly flushed, "English rose" cheeks and soft pink lip?

Here are some of the colors from NARS Cosmetics that James used. For the "English Rose" blush, James used NARS "Desire" pink powder blush (right side of photo with brush) layered over a cream blush (back left) called "Turkish Red" How to get that flawless complexion? "Blend, blend, blend" advises James. James made the eyes sexy and yet innocent-looking by mixing some powder shadows from the NARS Fall 2007 Collection. He used a Duo Eyeshadow called "Kalahari," (shimmery golden copper, and a sugared cocoa) blended with A Single Eye Shadow called "Voyage," (sheer, glittery golden fawn). On lips, James used a semi-sheer lip gloss called Tempest" also from the NARS Fall 2007 Collection. This light pink has at tiny bit of mauve to add a modern edge to this romantic makeup. With Ms. Austen once again becoming a hot topic this Fall, you'll realize that this type of beauty isn't about "drama" or making a "statement" but a more wearable way to bring your own, natural beauty front and center. Check the September What Works Beauty, Cosmetics * Fashion review column for a more comprehensive review of NARS Fall 2007 products.

Peter Elofsson and his artistic team from RUSK were straightening, smoothing, and then adding texture back into the model's hair. Peter did the hair for Araks last season, too. He said he look for Araks was inspired by the elegance of the clothes. His vision was a youthful, "Catherine Deneuve" but with a bit more "street" (meaning "texture") to made it modern. The hair was parted on the site, and a few models sported a tiny silver barrette that secured a few strands to the side. To keep the hair controlled but still "swingy," Peter used a lot of Rusk hair spray. This fall, according to Peter, long haired beauties will not want their hair to just hand there, but will want a sharper edge and more details. This long-haired look is quite youthful, but anyone over a certain age could add the texture, and lose a little of the length, to make it easier to wear.

Manicures for Araks were done by Creative Nail design, who also did nails for the show last season. In contrast to the romantic makeup and youthful hair, the models in this show sported manicures with more aggressive colors: "Fedora," and "Decadence," a translucent red.

Here are the photographers, jostling to get in the best position possible, before the show. The runway venue at the Altman Building is modest compared to the Bryant Park tents, where the riser is much larger and the competition to get in position for the best shot, much more fierce. Still, as you can see, it's a tough job!

Models don't just float down the runway as if they were born to do it. They practice. Before the actual show, each model walked the runway, instructed on timing and turns by the show's director. Here's Reid, the first model on the runway, in a slate wool/cotton twill top and slate wool plated short.

The collection was extremely pretty and feminine with lots of billowy blouses, slouchy wool pants, and puffy sleeves. One dress that I particularly is this wool/cotton double face dress with soft pleats and bell sleeves in a color called "Night" (just a shade lighter than the color of the sky just before all the light dies at the end of the day). Here is the dress on the hangar, backstage, and on the model. Harjte, on the runway.

The spare, industrial look of the room created a sharp contrast to the flowing fabrics and romantic clothes. There was quite a bit of color in this collection, jewel tones of pine green, teal blue and Parliamentary red, in sexy and luxe materials such as velvet and satin, silk and cotton. I love the detail on this wool coat in the photo on the left, in a color Araks calls "Gooseberry" pink. It's tailored, but the gathering in the back makes it dressy and elegant. As you can see from the photo on the right, Araks featured some outfits with knickers or shorts, paired with lace-up boots. This look would be cute on a young woman for a party, but it's not for everyone. An Araks look that is easy to wear and modern (and a must-have for Fall), are the lace-up ankle boots with traditional "oxford" detailing seen in the photos above. You can also wear them with knee socks or heavier hose for an edgier, friskier, look.

There were 25 different outfits in this show. Here is the designer, Araks Yeramyan, taking her well-deserved place on the catwalk to wave to the crowd at the very end!

For more information about ARAKS, visit: http://www.araks.com/index_s.html