February 19, 2015
by fashion pulse contributor
by Michael Regester
[Image Courtesy of Skingraft/Randy Brooke]
Skingraft’s fall/winter 2015 collection exuded design expertise with a collection of juxtaposing hard and soft elements. The lineup showcased strong, structured leather outerwear paired with softer jersey and cashmere while maintaining the brand’s rather refined motif for the season. The looks, although edgy, stuck to a simple color palette of bone, white, black, and grey while featuring pops of maroon intermittently. All looks featured were highly wearable pieces easily displaying how the runway can translate into our every day lives. The LA based-brand definitely understand how important it is to stay fashionable, and warm, during winter!
Michael Costello’s collection seems to have been greatly influenced by the success of Beyoncé’s Grammy dress last year, as the garments featured similar silhouettes and fabrics but in a more telling black motif. Even though the collection was almost entirely comprised of black, an air of romance was still present, which enhancing the seductive overarching nature of the lineup. Costello has also officially announced his intention on making a foray into menswear with three looks featured during the show. Although the collection showcased the evolution of Costello’s designs, the final look, a flowing silver dress (pictured above), reminded us of the signature Costello opulence the designer is most known for.
February 19, 2015
by Julia DiNardo
[James Boehmer with a model backstage at Naeem Khan. Image Courtesy of NARS Cosmetics]
Some fashion week makeup looks are fully-deserving of their own feature, and for
Naeem Khan‘s 10th anniversary,
James Boehmer for NARS Cosmetics created one well-worthy of the celebration. Dark, sensual and glamorous was the direction given to Boehmer for the makeup, in order to augment the intricate beading, crystal, feathers, and other rich embellishment and black and white graphic looks found in the collection.
“There’s always a classic Hollywood element to Naeem’s collection, so we knew we wanted to do a lip focus, but I also wanted to do a smokey eye that didn’t feel like a typical one,” Boehmer shares. “It (the collection) has a ’20s/’30s vibe, so I automatically thought of artist Tamara de Lempicka, and what I love of is that the women in her paintings still feel very modern today, and if they came to life, they would seem like really modern, cool girls.” Boehmer blended two eye shadow colors to work on a variety of skin tones, and leave a shadow effect, as if there was Hollywood-style lighting on the face, blending the color up to the brows.He left out the mascara and didn’t emphasize eyebrows to soften the look.
On the lip, he created the deep blood red, chocolate matte lip with no shine, as inspired by de Lempicka’s paintings by starting with a lip liner, then a lip pencil, and then again going back in with the lighter color lip liner color on the very top. Skin was kept very clean, powdered down the center of the face and last used Rosebud salve on the outer edges, “above and below the eye makeup to create definition and light on the runway.”
See below for links to all of the NARS products used, so that you can duplicate this look at home!
SKIN
COMPLEXION
BROWS
EYES
LIPS
February 17, 2015
by Julia DiNardo
Although the program’s notes clearly stated that Lela Rose was inspired by, and “gave a nod to Wyoming and the American West,” I have to interject that it was clear she executed this with the utmost restraint, quite evidently keeping her customer in mind and created gorgeous, liveable pieces that women of sprawling metropolises will surely love, come fall. The color palette revealed subtle bursts of shiny ornamentation peaking through the sides and backs of garments, worked around its core hues of black, ivory, steel, lilac, light turquoise and magenta.
In its wearability were luxe fabrications such as guipure lace, tweed, cashmere, organza, cotton voile, silk gazar and brocade, accented by gorgeous prints imitating feathers, while the real thing accompanied a top and pant set that displayed the most incredible, eye-catching movement. Fringe and tassels certainly came into play as well, injecting a bit of whimsy and fashionable solidarity into the looks. Rose’s dresses certainly were reminiscent of her signature style most, however pants and even a bit of denim equally held their own.
February 16, 2015
by fashion pulse contributor
by Michael Regester
[Images courtesy of Moncler Grenoble]
Love was certainly in the air at Saturday night at the Moncler Grenoble fall/winter 2015 event; the brand stayed true to its image as the presentation showcased looks inspired by the 60’s and 70’s, prominently featuring a bride and groom at the forefront. While also staying practical, Moncler showed us how to to stay chic and fashionable during one of New York City’s historically coldest winters, since 1994. Moncler also made sure its guests didn’t forget that it was Valentine’s Day, displaying the looks on the models via hydrologic lifts, creating the shape of a massive Valentine’s Day chocolate box. A partially-romantic embrace occurred during Princes’ song “Kiss,” in which all models turned to each other and illustrated their affection. The entire presentation was an experience in itself, proving that Moncler is still a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry, particularly when it comes to showmanship and cold weather.
