Grayburn: AIFW 2008

Showing posts with label AIFW 2008. Show all posts

Saturday

well mr. f. NARS, i'm even more in love....

You came and took us by storm. You lit up makeup junkies' hearts at the NY fashion week by wowing us at the Marc Jacobs fall '09 show.

65 different makeup looks after 10 years of not stepping foot backstage of any runway shows? I am now even more in love.

More topics on Nars Cosmetics

Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)

Thursday

22.01.2009

Shoes from Casadei

With the Amsterdam International Fashion Week officially arriving next week, I have started browsing through Spring '09 trends which sort of wets my appetite a little. There will be a total of 19 designers showing their A/W '09-10 collections at this 10th edition of fashion week. I sit here reviewing the list of shows and feel slightly lightheaded with anticipation and excitement. For those who are interested in knowing which designers will be showing, here is the catwalk schedule and the Downtown schedule (which is open to the public).

Here are a few looks I'm looking forward to wearing for S/S '09, what are yours?

Ethnic Detail - Anna Sui

Think heat and earthy brights. These colors look great against heat-flushed cheeks. Show off tribal patterns and embellish with handmade accessories. Rough a little texture into the hair and wear brick red on the lips.

Fitted Jumpsuit - Proenza Schouler

I have always had a thing for bodysuits. This one from Proenza Schouler is fits and skims at the right places. Its simple coloring means that whatever accessories you will add to the outfit will pop. Balance the slimline of the bodysuit with loose wavy hair and keep the makeup simple with just some emphasis on the brows.

Different Stripes - Viktor & Rolf

Not the ordinary kind. Stripes are not reserved only for sailors anymore. Wear them at night to make a grand impact. To turn heads in an off-shoulder number, sweep hair off the face.

Breezy Harem - Ralph Lauren

Another S/S trend that I will want to live in. Some harem pants can be difficult to wear but this belted version has a luxurious and easy feel. Team it with a simple tank and some soft leather sandals in tan. Let your hair down and fluffy.

Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), harpersbazaar.com.au

Monday

A Gift For You

There is a first time for everything.

This blog celebrates its 1-year anniversary today. In this time, I have come to realize that blogging has been an incredible journey for me. I am so glad that I got to share my experiences with all of you. And I have each of you to thank because it is you who have allowed and encouraged me to continue on this path. My love for blogging is still strong. If anything, it just seems to get stronger with each post.

The occasion has also got me thinking about the future of this blog. Since it is easy for me to have a ramble fest when it comes to beauty products, I can easily get carried away. So I think it might be more useful if you comment on the topics or specifics of what you would like to see tackled here. For example, do you like Giveaways? Please feel free to leave suggestions.

To mark this occasion, I would also like to host a Giveaway! It is my first so I feel over the moon about it.

The Prize:
A skincare set containing a Y.E.S Anti-aging Serum & their Rejuvenating Moisture Cream. Information about this set can be found at this link. The set has a value of 98 USD so I encourage all of you to enter your ballots!

Rules: Only open to residents of US & Canada. Email your answer for the following questions, along with a valid email address to grayburn{@}mail{dot}org. Please include "Y.E.S. Giveaway" in the subject of your email. The winner will have answered all the questions correctly and be notified by an email from me where I will ask for your shipping details. Giveaway ends next week Monday (October 6th, 2008). Good Luck!

Questions:

1. What is the name of the mascara (my HG) that has been mentioned the most (as many as in 12 different posts!) on this blog?
2. What is the name of the fashion event I attended twice this year (January & July)?
3. Name a post from this blog you have read and found interesting :)

ANNOUNCEMENT

Thanks to all of you who participated. The turnout took me by complete surprise and I am sorry that there is only 1 set of the skincare to giveaway. I wish I had a set for everyone that came to play!

The winner for this first ever giveaway goes by the initials R.M.

I have already emailed the winner to let her know she had won!

Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), vintagevinylrevival.com, yesskincare.com
Subscription to this blog is available on the sidebar.

Tuesday

Skin, Lips Going Forward

Image: Model Barbara (for Antoine Peters) with matte skin and attention-grabbing lipstick on, waiting to be groomed backstage.

So it seems we have reached the end of the road for shimmers and luminous finishes. Perhaps I should have clued in on that as we have seen loads of powdery skin in magazines lately. But I hadn't realized that we are gong to have to let go of it all!

This insight is what I learned when I chatted with Pernel, who was leading a group of makeup artists at the Antoine Peters show during fashion week. According to him, the ladies who used to wear lipgloss are now craving something a little more sophisticated and grown-up. Lipgloss may soon be a thing of the past as lipstick in bold hues create drama that stand out and is compatible with the dark dark clothes for fall/winter.

The matte look appeals to me. I actually long for the smooth-dry feel of it all. As soon as the weather says autumn, my face powders and lipsticks are coming out from storage!

How do you feel about this 'cooling' trend?

Credit: Grayburn, vogue.com, style.com

Blue Blood Catwalk Show AIFW S/S 09 - Indigo In Their Veins

NEW! Blue Blood's F/W 09-10 Collection at the AIFW

Image: goodie bag from the Blue Blood show

Looking at the picture above, I bet you can imagine my excitement as I approached the goody bag at the Blue Blood catwalk show. I thought we would be getting lobster-themed goodies as it is their mascot. The peculiar name of Blue Blood came from the brand's love for mastering denim. The brand's usual toughness went a little softer this time for S/S '09. I especially enjoyed what the models walked out on, even those lobster-colored shoes that had matching tights. I am also digging the look with jean shorts and blazer. But only if worn with flicked up hair and red lipstick.

Credits: Grayburn

Wednesday

Monique Collignon S/S '09 Brings St. Tropez To The AIFW

It was hot inside the showroom. We felt relieved however, as Monique Collignon's S/S '09 collection walked onto the catwalk in a breath of fresh fabrics. The designer certainly has a flair for expensive fabrics and the collection has St. Tropez written all over it. For the entire fifteen minutes, we were suspended in French Riviera.

The models were all made up impeccably, with a touch of sunset color on their lids and liner (upper and lower) smudged on the outer 3/4. Those looking for sophisticated holiday day wear and cocktail dresses will surely find something in this collection.

Tomato red pops.

Day-to-night dressing.

I love the impeccable fit of the jacket.

Another gorgeous coat.

Peek-a-boo shorts - innocent yet provocative.

Flower: blossoming.

Crisp white lining.

This dress folded and moved in an interesting way as she walked out.

My lust-have!

Monday

Backstage at Fashion Week '08

Ever been in a situation where you just don't know where to look because there is so much going on and that you are afraid to even blink because you might miss something? That about sums up my state when I spent my Saturday evening, backstage at the AIFW (Amsterdam's fashion week).

The vibe backstage was a clash of opposites; some of the crew were frantically running around the models trying to finish their looks; while others sat calmly reading magazines or chatted. There were just 2 shows left for the day (EnD & Antoine Peters) and the immense focus of the backstage crew made sure things ran relatively smoothly. When there were opportunities, I grabbed the chance to speak with Heath Roberts (Chef de cabine for the Antoine Peters show), and Anne (Chef de cabine for the EnD show). Both of these stylistic talents are part of the View Agency; an agency who represents some of the most talented hairstylists in the Netherlands. After all, this is why the AIFW chooses to work with View every time.

Image: Heath working intensely
For the Antoine Peters show, Heath explained that the designer wanted to toy with the Dutch phrase "Making an elephant of a mosquito". What became of that inspiration were hairstyles that were rather fun and upbeat. A few models graced the catwalk with front ponytails shaped into an elephant snout (see pic below). It was a little comedic but actually complemented the clothes rather well.

I can understand why this was Heath's most memorable show during fashion week. Unlike most shows where models from the same show all walked out with the same hairstyle, all the girls for this show walked out with slightly different styles. The models didn't mind it either. Heath, who speaks with a charming Australian accent which makes him a breeze to chat with, puts those around him at ease because of his relaxed demeanor and healthy-good looks. After all, anyone who has the ability to turn BFOG's hair into something appropriate is my personal hero and a great talent indeed!

A few styles from the Antoine Peters show

Image: Anne (in green) with her team

She must have been one of the easiest and friendliest people I talked to at the shows. And her experience working at the AIFW was apparent. Anne, who was the Chef de cabine for EnD's catwalk show, explained the stylistic concept for the hair. EnD's focus on geometric shapes for their S/S '09 collection meant that the hair had to be kept simple. Anne explained to me that they had decided on something more curvy; which meant a slicked back ponytail that was placed high on the back of the head. The volume in the tail, emphasized by wrapping the first 2 inches, is further enhanced by a curve at the end (see pic below). The hairstyle definitely finished the clothes and coincided with EnD's sporty yet feminine flare.

Anne also chatted about hair for this fall and winter and she seemed excited about creating looks with lots of big volume. I gathered that this will be a different kind of big hair than we have seen in the past (no more mattifying hair with hair powder). I can't wait to see more of Anne's work!

A closer look at the hairstyle for the EnD show

Anne's 2 favorite products to work with:

Redken Bulk Up ..............&.............Redken Fabricate 03

She said that the two products can be mixed together to give our hair textured volume without too much kink. These are both on my list to buy!

I stole a few moments to chat with Mandy, the General Director of View Agency, when she was not busy overseeing the slur of activities backstage. Not only was she a pleasure to talk to, she spoke proudly of what View has accomplished with its stellar team of stylists. She went on to explain candidly about why she thinks the agency has done so well. Her secret is in selecting a team of friendly personalities.

What was evident to me as I watched the team at work backstage was that everyone knew what they were responsible for and how to do it. There is no wonder that major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and De Bijenkorf are among View's clients. View's support of The Hair School in Amsterdam has produced many top hairstylists as well, who now have the seal of approval of being represented by the agency. An even brighter future for the agency lies ahead. So watch out for them!

All images copyright of Grayburn

Friday

Iris van Herpen @ AIFW July 2008 - Shows Off Her S/S '09 Collection

(image: attendees getting seated before the show)
All images copyright of Grayburn

Iris van Herpen's Spring/Summer 2009 collection; aptly named "Refinery Smoke", captures the mysterious beauty and danger of toxic industrial smoke. Models walked on the runway with varying sizes and shapes of what resembled smoke clouds, constructed out of what seems like impossible materials to work with. Their eye makeup, loaded with industrialized shades of chimney smoke, gave the models their steely gazes. I could not keep my eyes off of the models' hairstyles; which was an updo of intricately-created braids on each side, while the top section was teased and smoothed over. I hope to succeed at an attempt to create a real life look inspired by that.

As usual, the designer showed off her impeccable skill at detailing and gathering materials. The result was refined and sophisticated. After all, Iris is known for her high fashion couture.