My 1st appointment of the day was PREEN‘s backstage (the show was held in the beautiful IAC headquarters in Chelsea), where I got a sense of how things can become pretty crazy… 20 minutes before showtime, 13 models we’re missing because their previous show was late. So, the minute the girls arrived, the AVEDA team literally jumped on them to take care of the hair while the make-up was applied. As you can imagine, in these situations, there’s no time to do one after the other!
This season Preen wanted a romantic and windblown look, and that’s exactly wad Aveda’s lead hairstylist Paul Hanlon imagined. » The look we’ve created is a haphazard, sporty knot with an aerodynamic feel ”
Finally the show started only 30 minutes late, which is outstanding considering how late the models arrived. This season Preen’s collection was all about the 60’s couture silhouettes and a very modern colour blocking that also included prints and different textures. I especially adored the lovely butterfly print and the touches of crystal beading. By the way, the shoes were created in collaboration with ALDO.
Once again, Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi offered us exactly what we wanted, a fashion forward but wearable collection!
And here’s the finale…
For the 2nd show of the day, I had to head back to Lincoln Center, where the AVEDA team was also in charge of the hair for Betsey Johnson‘s show. This season, the designer was inspired by the swinging 60’s. Hairwise, this meant a super straight do. « Betsey’s designs have so much personality; we didn’t want the hair to compete. We styled a look that mimics the long, straight silhouettes of the sixties to complement the clothing. It’s young, innocent and sweet”, explained Jon Reyman, the (super handsome) lead hairstylist for the show.
I couldn’t help but notice how happy everyone was at this show, and I quickly understood that it had a lot to do with Betsey Johnson herself. Jeanne Beker had told me how nice she was, but I was still impressed. She was just amazing! While I was there, she took the time to thank the whole Aveda team, throwing petals everywhere and posing with them.
Looking around, I noticed that she had posted encouragement words for her team and models everywhere. She also hired a DJ (just for backstage) and prepared a table with candy and cupcakes! How sweet is that?
Of course I had to tell her how cool I thought all of this was and she was as kind to me as to everybody else there.
After meeting Betsey, I was even more excited to see the 60’s-inspired collection. I wasn’t crazy about everything, but I really loved the flashy colours, super short skirts, cool stockings and over the top faux-furs!
Like every season, Betsey did her famous cartwheel and walked the finale with her daughter & grand-daughter. You have to see it!
Betsey is a tough act to follow, but I was confident that ALICE & OLIVIA‘s collection was going to be as quirky and colourful… and I was right! Before getting to the clothes, I had to meet the SEPHORA team, who took care of the nails. Like at the Behnaz Sarafpour show, it was all about metallic colours. Only this time they were more glittery…
As usual, Alice & Olivia didn’t show a runway presentation. Instead, the girls stood in front of colourful panels that complemented the collection perfectly. It was impossible to pinpoint a main inspiration, but we can say that the looks reflected a little bit of each passed decade.
After a pretty busy Monday, I only had one show on day 4, but it was one of my favourites… I love going to the DIESEL Black Gold show because the venue always has an underground feeling and the crowd is super cool. Plus, the clothes have a laid-back and luxiourous feel, that designer Sophia Kokosalaki has perfectly mastered. This season, her women’s line had a strong boyish feel and featured slouchy leopard print shorts worn over men’s boxers, classic shirts, oversized parkas… My favourite piece was definitely the silk and leather pleated skirts worn on the hips!
If you want to see the whole show, it’s here… courtesy of Diesel!
The unthinkable happened at the Diesel show when Hanneli Mustaparta, Giovanna Battaglia and Anna Dello Russo arrived late and had to hunch next to the photographers pit to see the show! Surprisingly, they were very cool about it and smiled the whole time. Of course, I immortalized it!
Like every season, the place was packed with celebrities. I was especially happy to see the beautiful Shameless star, Emmy Rossum, and my friend Stacey Mckenzie, who looked as fabulous as always in her leather cape and red lips!
Good thing the workday ended early because I had plans for my Valentine/husband/chauffeur. I really wanted to thank him for driving me to the shows all week so I got us tickets to the (beautiful) MET Opera. He was sooo happy!
I didn’t realize it then, but we we’re both wearing Quebec designers! Jonathan, a polka dot trench-suit by Dinh Bà (presented just days ago at MFW) and myself, a cape by Ralph Leroy, a Marie Saint Pierre for Reitmans dress and one of my favourite pair of Aldo Shoes!
