NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010: Runway Videos: Marc Jacobs, Rodarte

And We're off to NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:

Marc Jacobs:
Earlier in the week, Marc Jacobs vowed to not have any actresses or paparazzi-ridden celebs in his front row (like last season's Madonna and Lady Gaga love-fest) and instead decided to actually have important editors and buyers sitting front row and center since they are who really matter in the end. As the designer and his business partner, Robert Duffy tore brown paper to reveal the podium filled with his 56 models, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played as the models began their walk down the runway showing Marc Jacob's Fall/Winter 2010 looks. It was a collection of his "best of the best" from his almost 20 year career. Mostly neutrals, lots of grays, some mustard yellows, and "Winter" pastels. Loved the mitered striped wool coats and the 1930s-inspired slithery gowns. Lots of exaggerated fur collared coats and wraps and some cute socks-with-pumps styling...very Marc Jacobs.No high drama, theatrics or tricks (except for that big pouffy Marc Jacobs Prom Dress at the end--still fabulous though!) just great saleable clothes his women will D.I.E. for...

Check out the Runway Video Below: Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2010


Rodarte:Known for their tulle, wool knit/crochet, ethereal but with a Goth edge dresses, the Mulleavy sisters took its audience on another Rodarte fashion trip. This time, for Fall/Winter 2010, it was Texas and Mexican border towns such as Ciudad Juarez. Patchwork arts-and-crafty dresses but with a defined "Couture" like quality: there was a method to the subdued madness. Floral chiffons, burnout velvets and laces that looked as if they were 100 years old--I can't even imagine the 150 pattern pieces on those dresses--the thought of these dresses going through Production can give any Production patternmaker a big headache! But somehow they do it, and do it beautifully. When I visit stores that carry Rodarte, such as Barney's and see their dresses, they are almost museum-like quality--and with a museum-like $14,500 price tag to boot! My favorites were at the end, those ivory "Virgin" gowns with asymmetrical side cowls with mini pouffy sleeves were a dream. Couture Communion Dresses anyone?

Rodarte Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Video, Part 1:


Rodarte Fall/Winter 2010 Runway Video, Part 2:

I Met Kim Kardashian Today!

Thanks to that contest I won last week, I was able to go backstage after the Bebe/Kardashian Fashion show to meet Kim Kardasian!

She was a total doll and is as gorgeous in person as she is in her photos!

XOXO,

Awilda

New hair colour- Garnier Nutrisse Review

The last time I coloured my hair was in the beginning of December. Originally I loved it as the highlights added some lovely dimension to my hair, but 8 weeks later the colour had lifted considerably and started looking brassy.

As my natural hair colour is a little more ashy the orange tones made my roots look even more obvious. You can see them peeping through above.. eek! 

I needed a quick change before Valentine's Day so I decided to go for something a touch darker, but still on the brown spectrum. The colour that caught my eye was Garnier Nutrisse 6.3 Deep Reddish Brown (really imaginative name).

 

The application was pretty standard, though I did start to worry a little when the cream began taking on a purple hue! The only thing I noticed is that there seemed to be less product than in most box dyes (and believe me I have tried my fair share from a range of brands). I know if you have long hair it is recommended to use two boxes, but I have never had a problem before as I take my time during application and spend the 30 minutes waiting time in an attractive shower cap that also seems to help the colour spread evenly.

So ladies, remember we were hoping for a rich 'reddish' brown...

 

The flash actually makes it look a little better, but straight after the dye my hair definitely had more than a tinge of purple. It was also uneven, with the ends being a lot darker than the roots, which is strange as I applied the least amount of product there and the dye was on the ends for the shortest amount of time.

 

After a few washes it seems to be evening out a little, though this is only because it won't stay in my hair! 

Even though this dye is marketed as a permanent dye, hence the horrible ammonia stench, every time I wash my hair it runs much more than any semi-permanent I have ever tried. When first rinsing it out I noticed that the dye just kept running and running and it took almost half an hour until the water became somewhat clear. The next time I washed it in the bath it was a scary sight! Now, 3 washes later I am at a loss as to what to do as it seems deterimined to stain every towel that I own, and given the current rain I am scared of what will happen if I don't keep it under a hat and umbrella at all times.

Garnier Nutrisse gets a big thumbs down from me :(. As much as I enjoy having pink foam all around me every time I have a shower it's a little worrying that my hair can start leaking at any sign of precipitation! 

Have you guys ever tried this range of dyes? Did you have a similar problem or is this just my luck ;)?

Nick Verreos Take on Olympic Figure Skating Costumes On American Public Radio's "The Takeaway"

Figure Skating Costume Don'ts: Russian Ice Dancing Team Oksana Domnina and Maxin Shabalin

Yesterday I got up very early to tape a radio interview with NPR's "The Takeaway" where I spoke about the Olympic Figure Skating Costumes (of course, what else??). I spoke about my thoughts on Domnina and Shabalin's controversial--and some would say, culturally insensitive Aboriginal-inspired costumes, as well as my favorite all-time figure skating costumes and naturally, spoke a little about Johnny Weir and his fur/no fur controversy. My interview will air tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

The Takeaway is a national morning news program that invites listeners to be part of the American conversation. Hosts John Hockenberry (Todd Zwillich sub-hosted for my interview) and Celeste Headlee, along with partners The New York Times, BBC World Service, WNYC, Public Radio International and WGBH Boston, deliver news and analysis and help you prepare for the day ahead.

Listen to The Takeaway on the radio every weekday morning on the stations listed HERE, or listen live online at thetakeaway.org weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern (3 a.m.–7 a.m. Pacific).

Complexion Perfection!

Following my post on my favourite highlighters last week, I had promised to do a post on the products that I love to use in order to brighten, perfect and even out my skin tone. I don’t really view these products as primers as I prefer my primers to have oil control properties. If I want to use a primer AND one of these product then I just mix them with my moisturiser and apply the primer thinly over the top. This creates an utterly flawless look so it’s good for special occasions when you want to look immaculate.

All of the products listed below are multi-use and can be applied under foundation, mixed with foundation, applied as a highlight on cheekbones etc or mixed with a body moisturiser.

Estee Lauder Spotlight Skin Tone Perfector

Description: “Silky, sheer lotion gives skin a healthy-looking, even-toned glow as soon as you put it on”

My Thoughts: This opalescent liquid has iridescent blue/violet and pink tones in it that really brighten up your skin. It always makes my skin look more radiant, even under foundation. The great thing about applying it under your foundation is that you get a really natural, subtle radiance that’s not shimmery or shiny in any way. It evens out my skin tone, sinks into the skin really quickly and makes it feel silky soft.

The Body Shop Tinted Glow Enhancer in 02

Description: “Community Trade marula oil from Namibia helps to repair skin’s moisture barrier whilst light-diffusing particles provide instant radiance and help reduce the appearance of fine lines”.

My Thoughts: I love to use this product when I have a tan, the golden shade really brings my skin to life and you can really get a pretty glow. It’s good to your skin and doesn’t clog pores and it blends in seamlessly. I love to use this on holiday and mix a few drops in with my body moisturiser for glowy skin in the evening sun.

Virgin Vie Skin Dew

Description: “Soften and illuminate your complexion with a delicate hint of pink. Use as a primer under foundation or as a highlighter for cheeks and eyes over foundation to brighten your complexion”.

My Thoughts: This one is perfect for creating dewy fresh skin. It is a pearlescent pink tone that brightens the complexion and adds radiance. It is also great over foundation as a highlighter (it’s very similar to Benefit’s High Beam but a thicker consistency). I like to use this one in the winter as it compliments my paler skin tone at that time of year.

Clinique Up Lighting Liquid Illuminator in Natural

Description: “Sheer, lightweight liquid instantly illuminates skin. Highlights, contours cheeks, brow bones or all over face. Glides on to create a natural-looking luminosity. Perfect for all skin types and tones. Oil-free”.

My Thoughts: This is probably me favourite of the lot because no matter what time of year it is, this shade will make my skin look great. It’s a peachy gold shade that looks so pretty as a highlighter and really amps up the glow factor when you wear it under foundation. I love the consistency and the fact that it feels so light on the skin. Gorgeous!


MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion

Description: “Blending soft focus diffusers with iridescent pigments, this ultra-fluid strobe formula produces a soft radiant light on the skin, reducing the appearance of skin imperfections by providing a natural looking glow. Spreads on smoothly and absorbs quickly leaving the skin looking healthier and more radiant. A lighter weight addition to the popular strobe cream”.

My Thoughts: This lotion is great for winter too, it creates a really subtle effect under foundation and leaves your skin looking almost ethereal. I think a lot of people diss this product because they are looking for a more intense effect but in my eyes, if you are after that, then check out Strobe Cream which is a more dense, pigmented version of the lotion. It creates the most gorgeous sheen on your skin (although I prefer to apply it under my foundation or to my body as I prefer warmer colours for highlighting my facial features).

OPI Designer Series- Extravagance

I haven't done one of these NOTD posts for a while, but I just had to share this colour with you all!

 

This is two coats of OPI extravagance from the Designer Series. This is what I think of when someone describes a polish as holographic. It has so much dimension and seems to glow from within.

 

Unlike other glittery polishes this one still looks multi-dimensional in natural light, but in artificial lights it really begins to dance. The lights in my bedroom are similar to those deceiving halogen spotlights you get in most stores. I'm sure you all know the ones! (They make everything look so pretty in the shop, but when you get it home it's just a bit 'blah'). This has resulted in me endlessly staring at my nails in a quest to figure out exactly what colours are in this magical polish. I can see pink, silver, orange, green and even blue glitter particles. Yumm!!

Well done OPI, but now please stop distracting me with your irridescence and let me get some work done! :)