Backstage at Alice + Olivia F/W 2012 Collection + Chignon Hair How-To

Posted 03/05/2012 by Lara

Sebastian Professional lead stylist Anthony Cole touching up the models backstage at A+O

HAIR LEAD STYLIST: Anthony Cole for Sebastian Professional

HOW-TO:

1. On damp hair, apply a palmful of Sebastian Professional Whipped Crème throughout.  Then, layer in a palmful of Mousse Forte.  This combination will give the hair long-lasting, defrizzed body.

2. Blow-dry smooth using a large round brush.  Once dry, divide hair in half horizontally, from recession to the back of the crown.  Pin aside the top section and pull the bottom into a tight ponytail at the occipital bone.

3. Twist the ponytail around the base and pin to secure.  Spray with Sebastian Professional Shaper hairspray for shape and hold.

4. Take down the top section and create a middle part.  Taking one side at a time, smooth back each section to twist and pin around the chignon in the back.  Be sure to keep the hair loose in the front so the hairline does not show.

5. Detail random pieces of the chignon with Sebastian Professional Craft Clay for matte hold.  Pull pieces from under each top section loose to frame the face.

6. Once in shape, lightly spray Sebastian Professional Trilliant over the finished look for a touch of shimmer and shine.

SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS USED:

• Whipped Crème – Ultra-light styler that nourishes and liftscurls and waves for a silky, shiny finish ($18.95)
• Mousse Forte – Strong hold mousse that creates strong-lasting de-frizzed curls and waves ($13.95)
• Shaper – Brushable working hairspray to create direction, lift and control with a medium hold ($15.95)
• Craft Clay – Re-sculpting clay that redefines matte-hold styles to separate and re-style texture (15.95)
• Trilliant – Thermal Protection and Shimmer Complex for ultra-light body and a glamorous shiny finish ($19.95)

{DJ Mia Moretti getting her hair done backstage before performing at the presentation}

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alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet F/W 2012 Presentation

Posted 03/04/2012 by Lara

A+O Designer, Stacey Bendet

The alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet F/W 2012 presentation was a visual wonderland! The Lolita-inspired collection had a feminine edge that made me absolutely fall in love with fashion. With a focus this season on outerwear and chic knit dressing, Bendet puts her own fresh twist on ultimate party dressing, including the launch of the alice + olivia Gown collection. This season’s palette features a modern mix of bold jewel tones – rich emerald green, deep ruby red, midnight blue, lush plum, strong metallics and Bendet’s signature black + white color-blocking.

Complete diversity throughout the entire collection, mixing bright button down shirts with floor-length knit dresses, fun mini-dresses, and everything in between. In a world where collections are supposed to be cohesive and consistent, it was really fun to see a complete mix of personalities and silhouettes and have it work! Walking that presentation felt like a museum exhibit that was pure energy and fun!

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Roxy Summer 2012 Collection: Let the Sea Set You Free Contest

Posted 03/03/2012 by Lara

What’s more fun then getting a Roxy bathing suit? Getting one to decorate one! At the recent Roxy Summer 2012 preview, my fellow bloggers put our DIY skills to the test and pimped out some bathing suits. I went for some fancy stitching, coupled with a whole lot of shells on the bottom. Provided my new pink bikini will probably self-destruct in the washing machine, I’m still quite proud of myself!

In between stitching my new suit, I perused the room draped in the Roxy Summer 2012 Collection. It doesn’t matter the temperature outside, there’s nothing that puts me more in the mood for Summer, then Roxy. Board shorts, rompers, beach cover ups… the collection makes me want to move to beach and never look back. Although I’m past the stage in my life where I could ever pull off tie-dye or more of the hippyish styles.

{My new customized pink Roxy original}

The collection is themed ‘Let the Sea Set You Free’, and to celebrate Roxy is launching a global social media campaign and competition to win a  life-changing adventure which includes a trip to France for the Roxy Pro surf competition, the opportunity to learn to surf and additional prizes including a mystery trip! Girls over the age of 18 can enter by submitting videos, photos and essays that creatively demonstrate why they embody the ROXY spirit on the “Let the Sea Set You Free” contest site, www.roxy.com/seaforyourself to enter.

{Inside the Summer 2012 Roxy Launch Event}

{Kind of obsessing over the iPhone covers}

More images from the ROXY Summer 2012 Look Book: Continue Reading…

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Bloomingdale’s celebrates Hugo Boss with Artists, Jeff Koons, Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe

Posted 03/02/2012 by Lara

Check out my Jeff Koons original!

Last night, was a big day for Hugo Boss (and me)! As some of you saw the invite (I posted earlier this week), Sunham Home Fashions was celebrating the launch of the new BOSS Home bedding collection at Bloomingdale’s. Hosted on the 7th floor, guests had the opportunity to shop the collection and enjoy a musical performances by Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe. I’ve seen those girls do their violin/DJ set probably 15 times in the past year and it never gets old! BOSS Home will be exclusive to Bloomingdale’s for the next 3 months, so go check them out!

I stopped by with Lorna from The Fabulous Report and we met up with the super fun Fashion Indie team to check out the collection; then headed down to the 3rd floor, where Hugo Boss continued the party with the launch of the new BOSS Black women’s shop. If upstairs was all about the jams, downstairs was all about art, with a special appearance by renowned artist, Jeff Koons! Apparently Koons is a big fan of the brand and to mark the new opening, he designed a limited edition shopping bag for Hugo Boss. And guess what? Jeff Koons drew me an original drawing (in front of me) on the bag! It was kind of the best ever!

Jeff Koons drawing me a pic!

I’m freaking out that I have a Jeff Koon’s original, complete with my name on it and his autograph! This bag is totally getting framed. Side note: Samantha, Editor-In-Chic of FashionIndie had this awesome Samsung Galaxy Note phone and was able to pimp out photo with comments after she took the shot (as seen above with her fancy penmanship)! Wish my iPhone could do that.

{HOME Collection}

{Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe Performing}

{BOSS Black women’s shop (Bloomingdale’s 3rd floor)}

Epic evening.

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Keds + Madewell Partner for Exclusive Capsule Collection

Posted 02/28/2012 by Lara

How fun is this???? For spring, Keds and Madewell are joining forces on a limited edition capsule collection which includes 3 new prints to their classic canvas sneaker.

Welcome the new Keds for Madewell collection: Champion Colorblock Stripe, Champion Blanket and Champion Polka Dot (photographed above, in that order). Did you notice from the picture the Champion Blanket print has leather laces? Ah and how cute is the perfectly vintage polka dot print with the tan piping? Inspired by elements from the Madewell spring 12 collection, each print is so unique I WANT THEM ALL!

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Backstage at Naeem Khan Fall/Winter RTW Collection

Posted 02/25/2012 by Lara

Backstage with Naeem Khan

If you haven’t checked out the pictures from the Naeem Khan Fall/Winter RTW Collection, you should! Inspired by Italian actress Monica Vitti, the designer wanted to do a collection that referenced Italy in the 1960s and capture the beauty of the era. Draped in floor-length dresses, with exotic prints and sparkles; the designs are based on a black, white, cream, and gold color scheme. (the collection can be viewed on style.com).

Minutes before sending his collection down the runway, I was backstage with the designer while the models got primped and primed. And unlike many of the over-the-top looks we’ve seen this fashion week, this is a very achievable hair, makeup and nail look for all of you at home looking to create the look.

HAIR: Bumble and Bumble

LEAD Stylist: Laurent Philippon for Bumble and Bumble

LOOK: Effortless French Twist. Made to look as if it were done in one try.

PRODUCTS USED: Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Hairspray, Hair Powder, Spray De Mode, and Styling Wax

HOW-TO: Part the hair down the center and spray hair with B&B’s Thickening Hairspray. Blowdry, combing down the sides and spraying B&B’s Hair Powder at the roots. Section the back of the head and blowdry it very smooth in sections. Backcomb just the roots at the crown and mist with Spray De Mode. Pull B&B’s Styling Wax through the hair then mist their Hair Powder all over. Twist up into a French twist pulling at the front hairline to create softness.

MAKEUP: NARS Cosmetics

LEAD STYLIST: James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry

LOOK: “The look is all about the precision, sharpness, and blackness of the line,” said James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry. “Everything else has that ‘barely there’ feeling. The eye line has to be really sharp and pointed up towards the temple – it’s not a cat eye, and it’s not a wide eye. It draws the eyes up.”

PRODUCTS USED:

FACE

·         Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++

·         Concealer

·         Loose Powder

·         Sex Appeal Blush

EYES

·         Carpates Eyeliner Stylo (new for Fall 2012!)

·         Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara

LIPS

·         More Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (new for Fall 2012!)

·         Triple X Lip Gloss

NAILS: Creative Nail Design (CND)

LEAD STYLIST: Angi Wingle for CND

LOOK: A seductive blood-red manicure to pop against the black, white, cream, and gold color scheme of the collection.

PRODUCTS USED: CND Colour in Bloodline

More images from backstage

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Hugo Boss Goes Home

Posted 02/23/2012 by Lara

Expanding beyond fashion, HUGO BOSS will be launching a new contemporary BOSS Home collection in March! Exclusive to Bloomingales’s (for the first three month) the collection will then go national throughout the US and Canada in additional department and specialty stores.

Drawing inspiration from the BOSS Black clothing line, the Spring/Summer 20012 Boss Home collection with feature unique detailing, mixing classic tailoring and contemporary designs to create an elegant modern home lifestyle. The collection with comprise of bedding, quilted sateen coverlet & Shams, leather boudoir and decorative pillows, unique duvets and barreta-stitch sheeting

BOSS Home launch party

There will be seven bedding ensembles, Galleria, Como, Cross Patch, Windsor, Water Lily, Pixel and Area mixing abstract Italian prints and jacquards. The color palette revolves around purples, grays, metallic neutrals and white. Boss Home will also have a line of plush bath towels in deep color tones as well as beach towels in bright, eye-popping colors and geometric patterns.

Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe performing

I caught a sneak peek of the home collection at the brand’s launch party which was hosted at the Hugo Boss showroom. And between the clothing on the manikins and the bed display, I could live a very happy life residing in that showroom. Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe performed their DJ/Violin ensemble. And how could I resist the photo booth?

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EMU Australia Fall/Winter 2012 Presentation

Posted 02/21/2012 by Lara

From head to toe, EMU Australia displayed their Nordic inspired Fall/Winter 2012 collection filled with a mix of comfort and functional pieces, while still being fashionable (and very well styled).

Hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion at Style 360, the brand also launched its first menswear collection since launching 15yrs ago.  As expected there was a grand showing of classic  Australian Merino sheepskin footwear items, as well as a variety of boots of all lengths made of soft leathers and suede in different styles. I thought the collection was well balanced with heavy jackets (that you just wanted to snuggle in!) mixed with mini skirts and tall boots; fitted leather jackets with hats and accessories –and since it appears they haven’t yet launched pants, I’d love to see a variety of fun tights next season! The richness of the layering as well as the color palette or cranberry to grays to black as also what stood out from the collection.

Leather has been all the rage this season at fashion week, and I for one want this entire black number:

Straight from the front row, check out the collection for yourself:

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Leila Shams RTW Fall 2012 Presentation

Posted 02/19/2012 by Lara

Lara Eurdolian, Leila Shams, Sarah Champagne

Leila Shams and I go back, I mean way back… pre-blog, pre-company, pre-just-about-everything. And I’ve always admired her. Besides having the most amazing sense of humor, she’s like this super creative, talented, amazing person, rolled up in a sexy package. Watching her fashion line evolve and display these elements of her personality project into her designs gets me excited every season just to see what she’ll come up with.

Presented by Oster Media, Leila Sham’s Fall 2012 RTW presentation was inspired by tumblr (how awesome is that?). Dark and edgy, she mixed a collection of electric and wild prints and knits with sequins and sparkles. Everything Leila creates is a statement piece. What’s so unique about her collection is that even so, it can all be mixed together without being too much, or on it’s own to wow a room.

Leila Shams in front of her Fall 2012 Collection

More pictures from the collection:

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Rebecca Taylor Fall 2012 RTW

Posted 02/18/2012 by Lara

While watching Rebecca Taylor’s Fall 2012 collection go down the runway, one major theme jumped out at me: darkness. Nearly all of the looks she presented used dark and layered looks, and only one look was simple and bright—a blue floral maxi dress. Where in past years Rebecca Taylor’s Autumn collections have included levity and feminine detail, much of this year’s collection was masculine, dark, heavy, and layered.

Fall 2011: Simple, Feminine, and Bright

Fall 2012: Layered, heavy, and grayscale.

But the feminine detail so characteristic of Rebecca’s past lines isn’t gone—not by a long shot. In fact she introduced a silhouette both perfectly classic and feminine, in its high waist and exaggerated hip, and modern, with fine mesh detail highlighting the sharp angular pattern used in its construction:

Photo courtesy NYMag

-Pretty Connected contributor, Elizabeth Claire Burke

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