TIBI and Carmen Marc Valvo RUNWAY SHOWS Spring 2007-a personal look in text and photos (and soon, a podcast)

Hi Fashionistas! I know you've already trawled my posts about Fashion Week and the various designers whose shows I attended, on this blog, but I have also put together my personal comments, comments from the hair and makeup professionals, my own personal photos, plus more comments in my first-ever podcasts for Advice Sisters® readers. The TWO are up now. The TIBI Runway Show at: http://www.advicesisters.net/tibishow07.html including a back-stage look at the models, the clothes, the make-up and hair, a detailed description of the NARS and Aveda products used on the models, plus a do-it-yourself guide to create the same look, at home. AND: The Carmen Marc Valvo Runway Show: http://www.advicesisters.net/carmenmarcvalvo.html including my up-close-and-personal photos and descriptions of hair, makeup and nails. Don't miss them!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL THE ADVICE SISTERS LATEST FEATURES AT: http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html

I hope you enjoy these. Your comments , posted here or on our comment form http://www.advicesisters.net/mailform.html will encourage me to post more of these!

Thanks

ALISON

A podcast...can you hear it (and if you can, please comment...but remember, it's my first try)

test (can you see these photos)?

this is a test

....THis is the Advice Sisters compressed logo. I've been trying to add photos for months, and even joined the blogger user group to see if I could figure out why it isn't working. Now, I think I know...it's the size of the photo. Too large, and blogger just says "no way." I'm pretty sure it is size. Now, I have to learn to really compress my photos, I guess.

This is a seriously compressed photo of the Lisa Thon fashion show last week (gotta figure out just how much I need to compress...this looks like 60's pop art)!

Now this is a little better!

and, here's a photo of me (success again!)

In the words of my wise father: "if you get up in the morning and nothing hurts," it's good.

alison

Reflections from Fashion Week Spring 2007 Good, bad, ugly

I worked on a post for quite some time, and then a workman cut the power to my computer without telling me, and I lost it all. I don't have time to re-work the entire post, although it was quite good, so I'm just going to make this one short:

I love Fashion Week. I always feel grateful when I get that email informaing me that my press credentials have been approved (and this is my 4th season with credentials, my 5th covering the seasons). As an internet professional, I'm really pleased that where there were once only a small handful of registered press from the Internet officially covering FW, now there are several dozen. Our columns will not be used as cat-pan liners, or shredded to protect an Ebay purchase during shipping. And, you don't have to pay to find out who said what, who was there, or what the fashions looked like. I'd like to believe that all Internet journalists are equal, but they are not. Some of the bloggers that IMG invited did not show "sportsmanlike" behavior at the tents. They were agressive, territorial, and lacked manners and common sense. A small example is the M.A.C. lounge, open to everyone. Some of the Internet press (bloggers, actually) literally took over sections of this much-needed lounge for themselves, leaving their laptops open and asking "friends" to hold those seats for hours, making it impossible for anyone else to sit down (I tried, and was met with sincere hostility). And, where I once found new friends and colleagues, these bloggers believe more in "talk to the hand" than "I'm glad to meet you." It is NOT a good look!

But then there's the GOOD: the makeup guru Bobbi Brown who stopped working on more than 25 girls to give me time for an interview behind the scenes at Cynthia Rowly, even with the major networks buzzing around her. The young woman who brought me a cookie from the Delta Lounge to the Women's Entertainment booth. The welcoming smile of the girls who give out bags at the Women's Entertainment booth, and the warm greeting at the Moet and Chandon, lounge even though it was way too early to drink any bubbly. And my favorite good memory: the security guard I've recognized for several season who, on 9/11, made a poignant comment to me (referencing his personal loss of a cousin that awful day), which reminded me of what's really important to balance the BAD: a flamboyant man literally hip-checking me out of the line, just to check in for a show (the man had standing room anyway, but inside the tent I noticed he took someone's legitimate seat and refused to give it up).

Just like any society, there is a mixture of positive and negative that gives the experience, balance. The clothes, I think, reflected the same. There were a lot of girly girly mini dresses and swing coats, a lot of grey and beige (to reflect our unsure times, I believe) and yet, sparks of color, innovations, and true style. There were the usual parties, the celebrities, and yes, even a seat assignment now and then for yours truly, so I could really comment on the clothes, take a few photos (which I will post on the Advice Sisters web site in the coming weeks), and write about the experience more fully, for you.

Gotta go before they cut the power, again!

Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2007 Last Day-Lovely Lisa Thon, Marvelous Manuel

I woke up this morning to the sound of dreary raindrops, and realized that the outfit I'd picked out for my last day of Fashion Week wasn't going to work. I'd planned to wash my hair, too, but decided that "big hair" wasn't going to be a chic look, so I took take a page out of Spring 2007's fashion "must-haves" and put my hair up in a slightly messy, chignon. Umbrella in hand, I walked into the tents at Bryant Park for the Lisa Thon show...one I had a seating assignment for. Since I didn't have to stand on the standing room line for 20 minutes, I wandered over to the WE (Women's Entertainment) booth and asked Amy, the girl on duty at the moment, how many tote bags WE gives away. "500" she said (that's a day). By the time I got there at 11:00 however, the 3,500 bags allotted were all given away. I suspect there will be a few more given out to the die-hards who make it to the last shows, this afternoon. I thanked her (and Amelia, her cohort) for being so nice, and went to my seat the Lisa Thon in the Third Row. It wasn't a bad seat, but due to the hour (lunchtime, honey) and the rain, there were empty seats. I got one in the front row, bringing my front row tally this season, to a whopping, two. But it does make a difference, especially if you want to really experience the clothes. This Puerto Rican born designer opened her first store in Puerto Rico, in 1999, and had her first show in 2001. She presented her fashions to the American Market at a show at Parsons in New York, in 2005. I'm assuming that this was Lisa's first show at Fashion Week and she made it memorable. For starters, the clothes were luxurious, with gorgeous tafetta and chiffon fabrics that shimmered in soft and beautiful (and flattering) tones of copper, coffee, and rose, with more color (soft yellow, peach, ivory, black). There were flouncy peasant and prairie style flounces, but also sexy, bare bikinis and one-piece wonders that really were spare and bare, and quite alluring. One coffee-colored tafetta fabric was used in everything from evening skirts to minis and shorts, featuring gorgeous, heavily embroidered roses with gold thread. Another chiffon evening gown had tiny metallic threads so it shimmered, but wasn't over-the-top. One of my favorite designs was a stunning, red, shimmery, wrapped, tafetta cropped top over thin-as-you-can-get-them cigarette pants. Word with gold sandals, this outfit would turn heads no matter when you wear it. As with Cynthis Rowley's show the day before, I kept thinking as the models walked down the runway..."I might even be able to wear this." These are clothes for women who love clothes, and fashion. I loved this show! I wasn't alone either, a smattering of applause punctuated the heavy Latin soundtrack from time to time, and there was literally a cheer for Lisa when the models took their last turn on the runway. I didn't get backstage to get the complete picture on the hair and makeup, but the hair, done by the stylists from Aveda, was yet another version of the updo, this time a slightly messy, teased "beehive" with a long but thin ponytail out of the back. It was modern and pretty, but I doubt you or I could do it ourselves, at home. On the eyes, I could see a very warm, rusty brown (very pretty with the chocolate and cocoa colored clothes) and a peachy lip. These are colors I think you'll want this Spring, and I'll check with Aveda and let you know exactly what was used, and how (and when you can get them for yourself). The overall look was relaxed, warm, bronzed (but not too) and dewy (but again, not over-the-top). Well done, Aveda!

Show over, I headed for the line for the Manuel Show, where, mercifully, I also had a seat. It is so much less exhausting when you know you're not going to be standind for 20-40 minutes and then lugging your bags to the back, to stand some more while you jockey for position. As a reporter of beauty and fashion, being able to sit and take decent notes and photos, is a must. At the Manuel show, being able to see details on the rhinestone-studded rock-star clothes, was also a plus. I had a seat in the 7th row, but got one in the 3rd row before the show started. In the program notes, it says that Designer Manuel Cuevas and his son, Manuel Jr. take their inspiration from Manuel's long standing relationship with Marlon Brando and his collaboration on the wardrobe design for Marlon in the 1962 movie, "One Eyed Jack." The collection, for men, women and evening wear, captures the essence of true earlyu days of Ole California and it;s romance of the Spanish heritage as envisioned in Manuel's timeless style. On the cover of the Manuel program was a copy of a movie poster of Karl Malden in One Eye Jacks. The first model to walk down the runway was dressed in beige leather pants and was shirtless, except for a huge set of Swarovski rhinestone bandeleros. But after that, the collection features lots of denim, and then even more denim, mostly in black or distressed black/grey. But there was also linen combined with silk and lots of distressed leather. This, I am assuming, is the influence of Manuel Jr. Although Manuel (Sr.) is known for "rock star" outfits dripping with glittering rhinestones, this collection was toned down a lot. Even the evening clothes for women were mostly chiffon. One that was more showy and that I loved, was a long, silk dress with Swarovski crystal just on one shoulder, and a draped scarf detail that floated behind her as she strutted down the runway. Another outfit I paticularly liked was a graceful and very classic, short trench coat worn with boot stich embroidered denim jeans. I wasn't backstage for this show, but the hair, done by For Click Salon, was an elegant, low ponytail wrapped with the model's own hair. It was sleek, simple, and elegant. The makeup was by M.A.C. but I couldn't really tell what it was. I think I saw a flash of violet on the eyes, which, given the amount of purple and violet I saw this week, would be a pretty good assumption.

Show over, I wandered backstage, took a few photos of Manuel. I needed to meet someone and I had to leave fairly soon, but I saw a group of women at the Women's Entertainment booth. I learned that they were putting rhinestone decals on cell phones, for those who were willing to wait. I did, and while I was there, a lovely young woman who was there to hand out samples of Tresemme hair spray brought me a cookie from the Delta Lounge (with a photo of Michael Kors standing in front of a Delta Airplane on it). I selected a ring of six orange and pink rosettes affixed to the back of mine.

It was time to go. I said goodbye to some of the guards, and opened my umbrella. I walked across the street and looked back. The tents were still going strong, but I was done with Fashion Week for this season. Over the next few weeks I'll try to make some cohesive sense of what I saw, and write it up with photos, for those who are interested. As someone noted: for those who are involved in Fashion Week, it's a BIG thing. For the rest of the world, perhaps, not so much. But it's always an exciting week and mine, was fantastic!

What does all of this mean for you? If you're a fashionista, please comment, and if you're not, tell me how fashion affects you (if at all)

more later.

ALISON

Fashion Week Spring 2007 Sensational Cynthia Rowley

This morning I planned to go backstage (and off-site at the Gotham Hall on 36th Street) to the Cynthia Rowley runway show, and then attend several more both at the tents in Bryant Park, and around the Fashion Avenue area.

First on the agenda, though, was Cynthia Rowley's show. I didn't attend last season and the season before at the tents, I was standing in the back. This time, however, I was going backstage to chat with laad hair stylist Gavin Harwin for Redken. When I got there, dodging the inceasing raindrops, it was nearly 2 hours early, but Gavin was already busy at work on the models, teasing, pinning, scunching....This time, my digital voice recorder was working and I managed to get a few comments from busy Gavin on tape (you'll have to wait until I can translate all of the comments I've gathered from makeup artists and hair stylists to a podcast formula...but keep coming back to this blog (or the Advice Sisters Web Site http://www.advicesisters.net ) and you'll be among the first to know when you can hear the beauty experts speak, personally!

But I digress...as Gavin continued to style and pin, a casual, "bed-head"-type updo, he explained the style for t6he show: "hair is teased and blow-dried jut a bit to give it a rough texture, then teased again gently with a soft brush, then just pinned up loosely (there was also a tiny topknot at the bottom of the updo, sort of twisted under and secured with an elastic). Although virtually all of the models in all of the shows had their hair pinned up for Spring 2007 (and as Odile said at the Carmen Marc Valvo show the other day, "hair should be worn up, in the Spring." What I like so much about this look is that even if you can't manage a controlled and graceful chignon or French knot, you can still produce a facimile of an elegant "do" that works this season by adapting any one of the "pros" visions. Styling products are very important and in the case of Cynthia Rowley's show, all the products used were "pro-style" items you can actually buy and use at home, from fantastic Redken. For this gracefully mussed updo, Gavin mostly used Redken Fabricate #03... a heat-reactive spray texturizer to add dimension, control and body (but you can also re-touch for re-styling without stickiness...a great product!). There was an assistant holding hair pins (obviously, we don't all have a "helper") but when I commented that this very pretty (and seemingly effortless) look didn't seem to be something the average woman could accomplish, Gavin immediately (and rather gallantly) said: "Don't underestimate women!"

I stand, corrected.

Looking around the room, I immediately recognized Bobbi Brown, and found myself literally gushing like a groupie about what a fan I am. But before I could get further information from Bobbi, I was informed that the networks needed to film Bobbi, and I needed to wait. I was a bit embarassed that I had barged into the filming (I really, honestly, didn't know)--at the tents there is usually not a list kept for interviews, especially early in the preparations) but felt a bit better when Bobbi graciously thanked me (and invited me to chat with her a bit later). Later on, when things had died down a bit Bobbi took a moment to tell me that since there is a lot of color in Cynthia Rowley's collection (thank heavens, not just ecru, black and grey) she was playing with color on the models. The good news is that Bobbi Brown is using this lovely violet theme in her own Spring 2007 collection as well. For the Cynthia Rowley show, the models were wearing a bright violet eye shadow, and a violet blush, but the color was sheer and layerable, so you can translate it to your own style and complexion. The models also were wearing a beige lip (the eye and blush colors, pop, so you don't want to take attention away from that). The lip color was sheer and glossy, but not glittery or shimmery. It looked very fresh and pretty. As someone with a very warm and ruddy complexion, I was mentally trying to figure out how someone like me could wear this look, but one the things I have always loved about Bobbi Brown makeup is that you can wear the new colors as-is, or layer them over something else to translate the style and make it your own. As Bobbi Brown herself said, a bright violet eye and blush, and a beige lip isn't the easiest thing to wear....she suggests for women who really don't like that much color, you can wear a softer, more natural violet ("Orchid") which will be available in the Spring 2007 palette. "Just put a little on your lower lid," Bobbi suggests.

I could tell that my time was just about up, so I thanked Bobbi, and moved on to the front of the Gotham Hall, where the clothes hadn't arrived yet (it was 11:30 and the show was supposed to start at Noon...no chance of that). I noticed that all of the Cynthia Rowley interns and other staff were wearing very chic, knee-length (or slightly above) black shirt dresses with small, matte gold buttons. The dress was very classic and appeared to flatter nearly every body type (although most of the girls were young and lithe, anyway). I asked a friendly intern (she said she'd only been with Cynthia Rowley a few weeks but was performing like a seasoned pro) if the dress actually available to the general public and apparently, it is available at Cynthia Rowley. If you want a dress you'll pull on every time you need to look polished but chic, this is the dress to get!

There ws some time to kill before the show (I didn't know when it would start, but I know they'e always late to very late) so I wandered around, taking in the scene, chatting with a reporter from Channel 9 news, and another one from the Middle East. There was a nice spread of lunch for the models , created by the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (opening on September 19th at 29 West 21st Street in NYC). A delicious wrap containing prosciutto, Watercress, Argula and Chile Ricotta Cheese was featured, along with a salad of watermelon, jicama and bean sprouts with yuzu vinaigrette, and White Chocolate/Dark Chocolate dipped strawberries. There were cans of TAB Energy Drinks (all over the shows this season), champagne, and water. I did see one model dipping numerous times into the watermelon, and when my own hunger got the best of me and I picked up a wrap, she said: "aren't those delicious?.. I can't eat them because they have cheese and I'm lactose intolerant." She told me the watermelon was good, too. That's about the most conversation I've ever had with a model. Usually, you don't see the models eating much, especially before a show, but the wraps must have proven irresistable, because I took some photos that show a number of girls sitting on the floor, eating them.

The clothes finally arrived, and the dresssers were getting busy, putting the clothes (and some hair ornaments made of wicker) together with shoes and other accessories. The theme of the show was: "Candy is dandy, but wicker is slicker." The clothes, much of this collection daywear, incorporated a lot of "wicker-like" ornaments (actually embroidery, leather, and ribbon) in various colors and styles fashioned into lovely, airy designs. The white screens between which the models walked the runway, were also wicker-like patterns that echoed the patterns in the dresses and even, some flirty, open-weave, wicker-type hair ornaments in black or gold, and affixed to the side of the head like a feather or jewel might be. I didn't get too close to many of the dresses, but I loved the color, the diversity, and the wearability of this outstandingly beautiful collection. Playful and chic, all at once, Ms. Rowley designed these, I am sure, with real women in mind. They scream "elegant" and desogmer," but this is one of the first collections that I've seen for Spring 2007 where nearly everything could be worn by women of all types and ages...do-able from runway to real life. These are clothes that if I had the budget, I'd buy lots of, and wear constantly. I guess you can tell, I loved Cynthia Rowley's collection!

I stood in the back row for a while, chatting with what turned out to be Cynthia Rowley's nanny (she has two little girls) and listened while the nanny pointed out people important to Cynthia, such as her husband, and her mother in law. The nanny wanted to see Martha Stewart, and we did see the back of a blonde haired woman who might have been Martha, but we couldn't be sure. Since the press weren't all over her, I seriously doubt it. At every place, Cynthia had put a wicker basket (appropriate!) filled with the same lunch that was in the model's dressing room backstage, along with a white napkin (probably from her home accessories line). Front row VIPs also got a signature blue and white Cynthia Rowley shopping bag filled with a very collective, red and white v-necked T-shirt featuring silk-screened dressed designed by Cynthia Rowley (and worn by all the dressers) but sponsored by Coke with a saying: "Cynthia Rowley's COKE side of life" a Tab energy drink, a cd with two songs by Favoritesons, from their debut album "down beside your beauty" A full-sized Redken shampoo and conditioner in "All Soft" (brings new life to dry and brittle hair) and from Bobbi Brown, a gold glitter lip gloss and gold eye shadow from her new holiday collection.

The lights went down, the music started, the models strutted their stuff on the runway. People were cheering, literally after the show ended. It was the most enthusiastic reception I've seen given to a designer yet this week.

I wandered backstage for a moment, where photographers were shoving each other to get shots of Cynthia, her husband, and her little girls. I ducked underneath the arm of one, and fired off one or two shots of my own (helps to be short, sometimes) and then headed for home.

Fashion Week Spring 2007 Collections-Carmen Marc Valvo, Samia

I don't have much time to blog tonight, but I will tell all, tomorrow...about the simply beautiful Carmen Marc Valvo show. I was invited backstage for this wonderful show, to talk to Hair Designer Odile Gilbert, sponsored by Redken 5th Avenue, and, while I was in the "neighborhood," charming Tom Pecheux for the MAC Pro Team doing makeup, and Dashing Diva, painting fingers and toes to fit in evening-worthy Manolos. I'll go into more detail later on, but lets start with the hair:

each girl got an elegant updo, but the style isn't a do-it-yourself. Marc Valvo is known for elegant evening clothes, and the hair had to be very special. The style for this show was completely controlled...no loose waves, no messy buns, no ponytails. This was hair for royalty...and it does take a lot of hands to make it work. Hair was first curled on rollers, Then it was stretched into a high ponytail, and then, literally sculpted into an elegant, multi-facted chignon (with a LOT of hair pins) and quite a bit of Redken hair spray (various types...)The effect on the runway was visually stunning...a bit of Audrey Hepburn and a lot of Grace Kelly..with a hint of Kim Novak. The girls really looked regal, like princesses...and I suspect they may have felt like that, too. You may not be able to get the same effect without a hair stylist, but you can get great Redken products (see the Advice Sisters What Works monthly beauty, cosmetics & fashion review columns http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkcol3.html to get up-close-and-personal reviews of all the latest Redken products). For Spring, Odile thinks that hair should be up and I'd agree that it's a timeless look, but she admitted that it really takes a pro, and lots of hands, to make the magic, happen. But then she added: "but everyone needs a hair stylist...." You can approximate an elegant updo that is less complicated but still sleek.


The makeup was a melange of styles, some Audrey, some 80's and a hint of the 50's. Eye brows were darkened, quite a bit, and with a definite arch, but the look was dramatic and elegant, not "campy." A smoky and fairly deep mauve eye shadow (for Spring 2007 and not yet named) was given evening allure with MAC silver glitter that reflect pearl...the effect under the artificial lights was very glittery, but would be fine for evening and certainly, for the types of black tie clothes that Valvo features. Foundation was done with a foundation brush, and although all the girls had MAC foundation, I noticed several different types of MAC products from liquid to powder. On one girl, Tom blended some shimmer with a light foundation for a dewy look, but the overall effect was semi-matte, not too dewy and not too harshly dry-matte. Lips were colored with a substantial (not totally sheer), pearly, pink gloss that was fairly shiny (I'll get the name for you...I think it won't be available until Spring 2007 but if it is, advice sisters blog readers will be among the first to know). Nails were done in light pink or peach (french-manicure sheer) but toes were dressed in hot pink (Prima Donna Pink). A pretty touch, peeking out from all those black and white dresses...

Since I've got to run, I'd just like to mention that Mr. Valvo, known for his classy and timeless evening wear, has another hit collection on his hands. The clothes were mostly black and off white, but there was one, short, strapless evening dress with a top wrapped as if it were folds of creamy cake batter, in a peachy pink silk. My favorite look was a long, strapless evening gown in black and cream, with a flurry of controlled pleats at the top, and a dainty, black ribbon "belt" with a demure bow, at the empire waist. On a more casual but still dressy note was a black lurex halter top paired with a magnolia silk supioni wide leg trousers. Of course the models are willowy and thin, but this is an elegant look that any woman could pull off, beautifully. Finally, on the most casual (but still chic) of notes: there were swim suits...a bold move in a collection known primarily for black tie gowns. For exampl. there was a gold wrap-front maillot with a plunging V in the front, dipping even lower in the back...evening wear for the beach, I think!


Finally, in the evening, a totally different experience but fashion, still the same, at the Samia fashion show at the Katra Lounge, an Indian restaurant and bar on the Bowery. I wanted to go to this show a great deal because younger and less well known designers need the same kind of coverage the press gives to the heavy hitters and well established designers, like Carmen Marc Valvo. The setting and the vibe was much more informal, of course, done on much less of a budget than the big shows have. But still, we were there to see models wearing new fashions, and we did get a satisfying show. The mostly very young crowd sat on two levels, on square cushions or lined up around the bar. The music included disco versions of "boogie Oogie Ooggie" until the show began (predictably, late) and then the models sashayed past the assembled crowd to a more traditional, Indian vibe. I don't have much in the way of information about the hair and makeup, but, interestingly, the updos, created by Concerto by Friddie reminded me a bit of a very avant garde version of Odile's look for Carmen Marc Valvo...except the hair was exaggerated, with high pompadours and three "rolls" of hair in the updos. The look was a bit like Grace Kelly goes crazy..but it worked with the clothes. Makeup (by Sammy) was hard to see in the dark room, but it looked to me again like it was a much more exaggerated and punk-ish version of the smoky eye and shiny, fairly nude lip. If I can get more details, I will post them.

And the clothes? I am not familiar with Samia Mahmood, the designer, so I can't really tell if this is a typical collection or not...but I liked it a lot...the clothes are the type anyone of any age could wear...Indian cottons, some embellished with embroidery, some with little mirrors, and there was COLOR...deep puple, maroon, bright yellow, black, and cream. These are not the colors I've been seeing for Spring. These are what I'd call "Urban," colors that are deep and vibrant, regardless of the season. For an urban person, the colors are not trendy, they're timeless (and appropriate for City life). The clothes were casual, for the most part, although there was one outfit that featured a cropped black velvet v-neck top literally dripping front and back with intricate, golden embroidery. The look might not have had the couture trappings of Carmen Marc Valvo, but it was the type of look that a working woman could wear to a party, and look "Boho" not boring. There were harem pants, loose, swingy tops, ribbed cotton tanks, vests, and cropped skinny pants...the type of clothes that are really within the reach of a regular woman who can't afford couture, but wants to look unique and stylish. All in all, I really liked the collection.

Show over, we planned to go to a party, but decided to grab a cab home instead. Tomorrow is another long day at Fashion Week!

Fashion Week, Tibi, Monique Lhuillier, Araks

Started the day at 6 am...got dressed and found a seat on the train. A postal worker next to me, wearing both his huge "ID" badge AND his cell phone around his neck said: "Madam, if you touch me with your foot I’m going to be upset, VERY upset!" I looked at hi. I looked at my foot. It was still attached to my leg. I hardly knew what to say and I wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation with someone from the Postal Service, so I simply, moved.

At 7: 15, I was at the backstage entrance to the Atelier, the smaller of the venues at Bryant Park, to go backstage for the TIBI show. I wasn’t on the list for some reason, but I had brought my paperwork and for once, the girls doing the check-in couldn’t have been nicer. I quickly walked backstage and met my contact from NARS, who also couldn’t have been nicer, and a lovely young assistant PR person, as well.

I gulped a few sips of coffee and got my voice recorder ready to speak to Ayako, the International Makeup Artist for NARS. She told me the idea for the TIBI show makeup was "Charlie’s Angels’s Jacqueline Smith" (not Farrah). Why? Because Ms. Smith waas the angel who had beauty, but also, strength and presence. After she proceeded to tell me every single product being used, I realized that my voice recorder hadn’t recorded a single thing. I got her to do it again, but it STILL didn’t work (I later found out that in fact, I DID get Ayoko telling AdviceSisters readers about the makeup on digital voice recorder and she will be in my podcasts next week). However, at the time, I resorted to my old-fashioned, luddite ways, scribbling notes down with a pad (that fell apart in my hands) and a pen (that stopped writing after one sentence but of course, I had another). At least my camera, worked and I got some nice photos of Ayako working on a few of the models which will be used on my web site and in conjunction with other articles I'll be doing online about fashion week in the not-too-distant, future. And, a helper fellow reporter from Sephora.com told me HER voice recorder wasn’t working, either (or at least, we both were still learning how to use them). Then, I didn’t feel so bad. She had a backup camera, too. I had only one, but thankfully, my little Nikon Coolpix, held together with tape as it is, still works pretty well.

Undaunted by my equipment failure, I went to speak to lead stylist Alain Pichon from Aveda, who told me the hair "story" was this: "a lovely young woman gets ready to go out on the town and has her hair done, but the next morning, her hair is a bit messier, but still pretty." Ok, I did buy this concept...it went so well with the clothes. Hair was being held very close to the head, with lots of Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Spray, and then held down with large clips. The bottom part of the hair, however, was bouncy and full of volume. On the runway, this looked worked incredibly well, giving the girls hair that bounced and moved, but was still controlled and shiny. Sleek and yet, romantic.

The look for makeup was also sophisticated, a bit retro, and romantic. It was light and glowy, with a lot of shimmer on eyes and a hint of shimmer on the cheeks. In general, International makeup director Ayako didn’t use foundation (or at least, not much) because the girls are so young and fresh anyway, and that’s the look--young and glowing. Ayako used a bit of NARS Aqua Gel Hydrator moisturizer first on their faces to get the dewy look, going. Then she used a new, rust-y eye shadow called "Petula" for a blush (won’t be available until Summer 2007–but you’ll want it then). This gave the model’s complexions a nearly perfect glow, brushed lightly and blended well. On eyes, sparkle was a must. There was a mauve and pink duo new for spring which looked quite beautiful and quite sparkly under the bright, artificial lights, but I think it would actually look more subdued, and better, in natural light. I think the duo was called "Habernero" but I’ll have to check on this and make a correction if I’m wrong. In any case, it won’t be available until Spring 2007. Ayako also used a bit of black eye liner and black mascara, but not TOO much. All the models wore a sheer nude beige lipstick called "Belle de Jour" – already a popular color available now in the NARS collection. If this "no lipstick" color is too light for you, I’d suggest an overlay of one of the NARS beautiful, sheer glosses perhaps in a pink or peach. Nails (hands and feet) featured polish by Creative Nail Design, in French pink or beige, with a sparkling overlay of iridescent gold that no ne could see form the runway, but let me tell you, it’s beautiful, and you’ll want it come Spring 2007 (sorry ladies, not available until then).
And the show? I got a good seat. I was surprised that the show wasn’t filled, but then again, it was the first show of the day, and I am sure more than a few fashionistas were sleeping off last nights’ parties. The hair and makeup really did fit the clothes, which were fresh and young, and sort of uncomplicated and breezy--good for the rebirth of Spring. Most of the dresses were short and loose, sort of mumu or baby doll and with evening wear, there was lots of chiffon and thin cotton and silk. There was some color (most noteably in a flowing, chiffon-y evening gown) but not the bold, brights of last year. These were soft and modestl-filmy clothes in ecru and other soft colors. My favorite was a full skirted, black and white coat (black with little white squares that alternated white with black, on the other side). It was worn down the runway, belted with a large, black belt, probably one of the more fitted things I've seen...and I would have raced to the store to buy it then and there.

On to Monique Lhuillier. I love her fitted and sophisticated clothes, but this collection seemed looser (as with all the designers so far) and sort of "safe." There was lots of raw linen and diaphanous fabrics here, too. But there was the surprise of large, jeweled collars and glittering belts...and this is the only show where "bling" appeared at all (I always like this look, so I'm definitely not complaining). Black and white, moss green, khaki, gold, grey, taupe, pewter, lots of silk chiffon with jewels. A lot of the short pieces were gathered at the bottom so the hem was bouffant. The collection was, otherwise, so body conscious thateven the models looked stick thin in these flowing evening gowns. The average woman buying these gorgeous confections will not the same effect...but the gowns are still beautiful...even if you get it in larger sizes. I wasn’t backstage for this hair and makeup, but Kevin Ryan did the hair in simple, shiny buns, and the makeup by Christian McCullouch for MAC was much like that at TIBI...dewy, pink lips, not too much color. Moving downtown to 18th Street at the Altman Building, I waited in the blazing sun for the Araks show. Inside there was the usual, frosty bin of water or TAB (in this case) and it would have been extra lovely if someone giving out the beverages had taken a bunch to the standing room line. Anyway, I got there way too early, and the show was running over half an hour late (maybe 40 minutes late). I was so punchy from the heat and dehydration by the time I got inside and sat down that I could hardly focus on the clothes. What I remember, and from my photos, is that they were diaphanous...mostly ecru..actually, lots of cotton voile. My favorite thing was a short, swing jacket with huge silvery snaps, in a sweatshirt material. The evening dresses were slips over loose, diaphanous cotton Voile. Pretty, on the right person. Pretty, but in some cases pretty sheer. Young and fresh, once again. Hair was by Peter Elofson and the Rusk artistic team, Makeup by Andrea Helgadottir, and nails with products by Creative Nail Design (but I really couldn’t see what was on their fingers and toes)–I’m assuming french pink and beige with perhaps, that gorgeous gold-shimmered overly, as in the TIBI show.

I then took a train to 34th street, bought a battery for my Nikon Coolpix at B&H (a huge electronics store) and walked to the Javitt's Center, carrying a bag that was getting heavier and heavier as the day, progressed. Once in the Health and Beauty Expo at the Javitt's Center, it was really good to sit down in the press lounge and have something to eat and drink, especially after being up so long and in the sun without food or water (sounds like torture, but it wasn't really that bad, of course). I wandered around the show for a few hours, looking primarily at packaging and private label cosmetics companies. Then I hopped on a shuttle bus which, instead of taking us directly to Penn Station (a logical, and the closest stop) proceeded to crawl in traffic for nearly 50 minutes, all the way to 45th Street and 2rd Avenue, only to turn around at the Roosevelt Hotel and bring us back to 30th Street and 7th Avenue (go figure).

Stay tuned for more fashion week, tomorrow.

Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2007 Collections, Monday September 11th

Before I left for Bryant Park this morning, I spent a moment with my husband, who was there at the World Trade Center when the planes hit 5 years ago. He didn't really want to watch all the footage from the past, nor did he feel any solace from the "commemorations" going on around NYC and the country. But we did remember how fortunate we are to still be together, when so many couples and families were ripped apart from the tragedy. We will never forget and we really don't need ceremonies, wreaths, or speeches to remind us.

I walked up the steps into the tents at Bryant Park, and I was immediately struck by how quiet it was. I looked around and saw the WE booth (Women's Entertainment) booth was giving out their signature bag for this season: lime green with brown "pleather" trim (nice enough to actually keep and use again, I think). As I approached the desk, the pretty young woman who usually frowns and says "no bags" handed me one with a huge smile saying: "Hi, how are you?" I was pleasantly surprised. Did she really remember me and was she really happy to hear from me? Later that day she was wearing a post-it-note with "no bags" on it, and no smile. But the one I got early today. and her warm greeting, started my Fashion Week in a great way.

I wandered over to the Carolina Hererra line, because even that wasn't long (yet) and got a standing room ticket. I didn't have an invitation and I didn't get into the show last year, so I was happy just to have a chance to see it. While I was waiting, I chatted with "Philip," a Kent State Fashion Design/Marketing Junior who was volunteering to seat Olympus Fashion Week sponsors until mid-week. He was charming, and delighted to be able to experience fashion week. If only there were more like Philip (and less like the flamboyantly-dressed, portly man who pushed past me on the check-in line). "I guess that man thinks he's more important than you," snarked one of my favorites guys from security (all in black). "I am determined to be calm and zen-like this season," I said. "Especially today" he replied. I looked at his lapel and saw a pin with the twin towers and 9/11. "My husband was there" I said. "My cousin....." his voice trailed off. I never did get a chance to ask him what happened, but I already knew. All I could manage was: "I know. I'm sorry" The portly man who pushed past me pushed ahead in the standing room line, and then he pushed his way into someone's seat while the rest of us stood. He seemed to be "indignant" that his seat was "inferior" to the front row, but of course I already knew he wasn't entitled to any seat. Well, it's all in the spirit of the good, the bad, and the ugly, during fashion week. In the end, I enjoyed talking to Philip and ended up sitting in a seat reserved for someone from Teen Vogue (or was that, Teen people?), who didn't show.

The Carolina Herrera show was pretty much what I expected: classics, re-interpreted, for Spring. There were a number of beautfiful, flowing gowns with lots of tucks and details, and for Spring, lots of crisp, fresh, mini-dresses. The "for day" clothes reminded me of what pretty, young, rich girls wear to the country club or the family's Hamptons' home. Mostly, there were feminine and short, dresses in subdued colors such as beige, black, grey, and a few hits of bright colors, such as the rouge and blood orange matelasse grown with a ribbon sash...understated but obviously expensive. Odile Gilber for Aveda did the hair for show show--soft, loose, pretty updo/buns that reminded me of Greecian goddesses. Diane Kendal and the MAC pro team did the makeup, which was soft and softly glowy, with pink lips...very natural but polished. It's a look that looks fresh and right for Spring, but women over a certain age will not be embracing this trend.

After Carolina Hererra, I went to check in for Cynthia Steffe. To my disappointment, instead of seat assingment for my invitation, I got a PST (Priority Standing Room) which pretty much appeared to me to be the same as plain old ST, since everyone with ST (standing room) and I got in at the same time. Honestly, the show didn't bowl me over. The clothes were pretty, girly, classic, youthful, and rich-looking...but nothing sexy, sizzling, or very different. There were lots of mini-dresses, some of them worn over stovepipe length pants. The loose dresses arrived in soft, fluid fabrics such as cotton gauze and voile, filmy chiffon, jersey. There was little embellishment, and the "bling" was very minimal, featuring in just a very few fabrics shot through with threads of lurex. The colors were also subdued: light yellow, grey, navy, white piping. There was one piece that was (I think,) gold ostrich leather.

The hair, done by Peter Grey for Aveda was also a "casual knot" type of look, messy, but obviously, not. The makeup , buy Polly Osmond for MAC, featured pale complexions, with eyes that were deep and smoky, and pale pink lips. On most people this would be a cute look for casual wear or the beach, but not enough color for anyone over age 25. Then again, most of the collection, wi6th it's San Tropez-in-the-60's vibe, was not created for women over age 30.

Two shows down, I wandered around the perimeter of the tents, sitting for just a moment in the Delta Lounge area, wandering also into the Moet and Chandon Lounge (open, but no champagne until evening), visiting the Judith Ripka jewelry display, where I tried on thousands of dollars worth of baubles, and contemplated buying one for myself (but didn't...at least not yet). I wandered outside and discovered that designer Sigrid Olsen was providing free pedi-cab service and I needed to get downtown to 19th Street. I hopped into one of these pedicabs and spent the necxt 15 minutes or so being cycled downtown by a personably "Driver," Joe Maselli, obviously an actor who said he's been cycling people around town in a pedicab for about 6 years. I have to say, it was absolutely a blast!

I had some time before the Daniel Franco show, so I went to see the Lewis Albert Show at the Metropolitan Pavillion, first. I met a woman who helps dress the MACY's flagship windows, but we only had a few minutes to chat before the show started. This collection also, was what I'd simply categorize as "simple and safe." The collection was supposed to "exude a Paraisian sensibility" but I didn't really get that from what I saw. Insteda, there were nicely tailored, neat, simple styles with minimal embellishment except for some piping and buttons, with muted colors of grey, ecru, navy and chocolate ...but no pizazz. The "chic" factor just wasn't there, but to be sure, the clothes were pretty, (and the dresses, also quite mini). One below-the-knee chiffon had a bit of charm, and I liked the sleek, high ponytails that looked fresh, and hip.

Finally, I rushed around the block, to the Daniel Franco show. I really don't follow Project Runway, watching it only when I'm turning channels, but I recognized some of the people who were former competitors, and sat in front of one of the women who was just recently kicked off the show. In back of me was a woman with three young children...all girls who are ardent fans of the show. She was there, she said, because her husband was writing a piece for USA today about bringing children to Fashion Week (which isn't common). These girls were so excited that they had been taken out of school half a day, to see the fashion show. I remember my father, uncharacteristically, taking my sister and I out of school one afternoon to take us to lunch at Fraunces Tavern. He bought us pencils with pictures of the tavern on it from their gift shop which I had for decades. I never understood what motivated him to surprise us, but I never forgot it. I guarantee that anything these three young laides might have learned in class would never compare to the memories this wonderful mother and father, created for them today.

The show, sponsored by Nikon, featured each model holding a new, Nikon Cooplix, and taking a photo at the end of the runway where the photographers were. I liked the playfulness of this. I liked the clothes, too. Finally, something I could get excited about. The styles were a departure from the young, filmy, pretty, girly, mini-dresses I'd veen seeing. These clothes were for a a sexy, assertive woman. Then again, Mr. Franco is young, and now, a "star" by virtue of his victory in Project Runway, so this is his time to pull out all of the stops. The clothes were sexy, bare, cut low in back, with other cutouts on the sides. The gowns had long, flowing trains. The "day" clothes were body conscious, even the suits Some of the skirts were so tight even the models looked a bit "bottom heavy" in them, but the strong, modern designs and the dramatic cut-outs, made these clothes my favorites of the day and I think, most women could find something in Mr. Franco's collection to flatter and delight them.

Backstage after the show, I was fortunate to speak briefly to Julien Farel, the lead hairstylist. Products used were from RUSK, and Mr. Farel also mentioned that he used Baybliss appliances including one that is ionic and ceramic all in one (makes hair shiny, dries it faster, smooths it better, too). As to the feel of the hair for the show, Mr. Farel admitted that with a younger designer Like Mr. Franco, he was allowed to do more avant garde looks. The task, according to Mr. Farel, was to create"the look of Chanel, but going downtown to the East Village," in day, evening and nighttime looks. I got the sense that the charming Julien enjoyed having more freedom with the hair looks than he might, say, with a more established, older designer. As Mr. Farel but it himself: "the clothes (Daniel Franco's) are strong, sexy, fitted, and Daniel wanted voluptuous hair (like the roots of a tree). " Farel sugested that the look was "rock and roll," but as with all of the seemingly wild and casual "do's," I seriously doubt that an amateur could create the same look at home easily, if at all. There is, in all of these styles, still a high lvel of sophistication and with it, control. But I really liked the hair, especially the long, loose waves (worn by a blonde in a beautiful, long, flowing black evening gown), to a number of "messy" updo/buns, and even one model (wearing an extremely form-fitting day suit) whose eye-catching "big hair" was a stunning, platinum.

Show over, I decided to do some shopping of my own. I wandered around, looking for pieces that would be suitable for the warmer weather we're going to have for the rest of the week. I really didn't find much that I liked, but snagged a black pantsuit and a deeply-cut, white knit blouse with a floating, asmetrical hem. They weren't exactly the stuff of high fashion, but I like them and when you think about it, that's what fashion, and style, really are all about.

Tomorrow I have to be at the tents at 7:am to be backstage for the TIBI show. I am not sure if I'm going to make it that early, but I"m going to try.

Stay tuned.

Another Season of Olympus Fashion Week Begins--Spring 2007 Collections

Beginning with the John Bartlett show at 9:00, Olympus Fashion Week for the Spring 2007 collections begins this morning.

I'm not at Bryant Park or at the shows today, or I wouldn't be typing this brief report to get my Beauty Blog reports, rolling.

But YESTERDAY, I spent over an hour in a long line, waiting to pick up my press credentials. My decision to "dress down" was a good one, since those wearing "fashionable" shoes were shifting uneasily and uncomfortably in place. Humbled by the notion that rank doesn't have any priviledge at fashion week, a professional photographer (35 years doing fash photography) stood in front of me on the line. Behind me, two lovely young women -- a makeup artist (she worked on the first season of American's Next Top Model) and her model-esque sister--were picking up credentials for the first time.

As a "veteran" of just a few seasons' worth of fashion week, I guess I stood properly, smack in the middle.

As with every fashion week before this one that I've attended, standing on exhaustingly long lines is part of the routine for all but the most "couture" press (by that I mean Anna, Leon, and perhaps, the editors from Marie Claire and Allure). But the thing is, you meet the most interesting and gracious people on the line so in some respects, this "forced networking" is a bit like the connections made in boot camp. You suffer a bit together, but you also form useful and sometimes, lasting, bonds.

Press registration supposedly only opened at Noon and I was there 20 minutes later, but by the time I got inside to get my plastic badge, enabling me to enter the tents, they were almost out of lanyards to wear the tags around your neck --a must--when you're juggling pads, pens, voice recorders, cameras and other equipment.

If you go to Bryant Park, even if you don't have the credentials to get into the tents, the folks from THE DAILY, the organizer's own publication, will be giving out printed copies of the magazine throughout fashion week. I am increasingly confounded by podcasts, ezines, and magazines that tell you that if you read their publication, you will be an insider...but by reading about all you've missed (and how it's so exclusive you couldn't even DREAM of being invited) you are in essence, being validated as an outsider.

Maybe it's risky to say it's not all fashion "glam" out there, but reporting on clothes is still the most important part of fashion week. I mean, it IS a trade show....for buyers and other influentials who will decide what's going on our backs for the coming season. I have a chance...and I'm taking it...toshare "real" news from fashion week Monday through Friday of next week. I'll be there. I'll take you inside the life of a beauty and fashion writer and you'll see what I see...as an insider.

Stay tuned

THE ADVICE SISTERS® Features - September, 2006

It's been a while since I've shared what's new on the Advice Sisters Great Relationships Web Site http://www.advicesisters.net With Fall on it's way, I thought you might like to know what I'm doing on the web site:

Meet the Advice Sisters "Celebrate Spring" Contest's Lucky Winners! Four women and one man won prizes worth hundreds of dollars in the Advice Sisters "Celebrate Spring" contest. To see what, and who won, and read their winning entries: Click Here . You can be a winner, too. Our Advice Sisters Enews subscribers get advance notice and details of al our contests and Advice Sisters new. It is free to Subscribe

What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review Column. Our extensive"What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review Column has gone back to it's monthly format, after our incredible, double, Summer column. The September Column features first looks for Fall, with products to help you bridge the seasons. Visit our Advice Sisters "What Works Archives" for any columns you may have missed. What products do you like the best? Feel free to post them, or ask for advice, on the Advice Sisters' "Beauty Central" on the Advice Sisters Bulletin Boards.

NEW CONTEST! THE DEVIL (AND YOU) WEAR PRADA: Up for grabs is over $1,000 worth of luxurious beauty-related prices, in our latest and greatest contest bsed on the hottest beauty and fashion movie of the year: The Devil Wears Prada featuring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, and a chic cast of men and women in to-die-for fashions and makeup. The makeup we're giving away is from the ultra-luxe companies of Christian Dior, BeneFit, and Z. Bigatti. CLICK HERE for details and entry form


ADVICE SISTERS PODCASTS: In the coming months, I'll be creating exclusive, "Advice Sisters" Podcasts for your listening pleasure. You will be able to listen to them here on the Advice Sisters Relationships Web Site, and also subscribe through other outlets so you can listen to them at your leisure, on your IPod. I hope to have the first of these up and running by Olympus Fashion Week. Enews subscribers will get the scoop, first, so Subscribe and be among the first to know! You'll also get info about the Advice Sisters, special events, beauty, fashion, career and relationship tips, and much more. Get your own copy-- Click Here and fill Out The Form *you must fill out the form completely or your request will not be processed. Meanwhile, Click Here to listen to Alison's other podcasts. *podcasts are 30-60 minutes and take a few minutes to load Do you want to be a guest? Email me: advicesisters (at) advicesisters (dot) net

SIGN UP FOR OUR FORUMS--AND HAVE FUN! : The Advice Sisters invite you to speak your mind, ask questions, give & get support, and make new friends on our Forums - ! Topics range from love and relationships, to life and career. Two new forums allow you to learn about new beauty-related products and share reviews of the things you like best, and for writers, we've got a collaboration board where you can ask for all sorts of support to fuel your creative genius. Sign up and participate...it's fun and it's free! *if you are having trouble posting on the forum or you have a suggestion for a new topic area, please Contact Us and let us know what the problem is. We're here to help!