Backstage Pass
Fashion devotees and beauty enthusiasts were eager to become part of the stylish scene circulating New York City during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which was held February 9 to16. The captivating runway shows, which were scattered about this chic city, previewed the styles we'll soon be donning for Fall/Winter 2012. A lineup of designers celebrated a variety of hot looks from classic to Bauhaus-inspired to modern and minimalist.
Hair guru Guido, Redken's Creative Consultant presented a variety of high-style ponytails for Fall/Winter. From refined and feminine at Ralph Lauren to dry and textured at Calvin Klein, and cool and nonchalant at Ports 1961, the ponytail was indeed a key look. At Reed Krakoff Guido fashioned a flowing, textured, natural look. "These wearable, effortlessly-chic styles have certainly replaced meticulous updo's - especially when paired with rich, luxurious clothes. These little hairstyles that are not so complicated are the ones that are very key," says Guido.
To provide a snapshot of beauty in the making, HOT went behind-the-scenes to capture the buzz at Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Ports 1961 and Reed Krakoff. The following pages preview the key looks that will be turning heads in Fall/Winter 2012.
HOT provides a glimpse of the beauty action from the Ralph Lauren fashion show.
Ralph Lauren
The runway at Ralph Lauren's show exuded a sense of elegance that we've all come to expect from this classic American design house. From men's inspired looks that presented a range of tweeds to sophisticated animal prints and ultra-feminine looks accented with sequins, feathers and metallics, Ralph Lauren's show celebrated diversity. To complement the elegant looks from Ralph Lauren, Redken's team created a soft, feminine ponytail that truly reflected the designer's American sense of style. "What I love about Ralph is not having to change too much every season. When it works, it works," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant. "It's reassuring in that way, as a designer and as a brand. Ralph Lauren has a very strong identity. He's not about reinventing everything-the inspiration for the girl is 'she is who she is.'"
Guido tapped into the magic of Redken's thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder; All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care oil; and fashion work 12 versatile working spray to create these refined ponytail looks.
Ralph Lauren CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken |
Fashion work 12 versatile working spray | Thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder | All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care oil |
Create the Look:
- Apply thickening lotion 06 to damp hair for extra body.
- Blow-dry the hair using a large round brush.
- Put hair up in pin curls-this will provide a rich finish to the final look.
- Release pin curls and apply All Soft Argan-6 oil for shine and to smooth any frizz.
- Brush hair back lightly with fingers to create a perfect low ponytail-a very rich look-securing it with an elastic.
- Take a small piece of hair and wrap it around the elastic to cover it.
- Finish with fashion work 12 hairspray to tame any flyaways.
At Calvin Klein, HOT caught a glimpse of the cutting and styling action that energized the backstage arena.
Calvin Klein
A strong, powerful Bauhaus woman from the 1920s era was the inspiration behind Calvin Klein's Fall/Winter 2012 collection. As a result, many items offered softer, "ladylike" silhouettes. "We love ponytails at Calvin Klein, but this season we're adding a little something extra-we're contrasting textures from the crown and the actual ponytail for an added edge," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant. On four of the dazzling beauties, Guido created stand-out cuts inspired by the 1920s.
"Each of these girls has a slightly different, edgy cut with dark black hair based on a 20s flapper bob style-they are meant to be the 'characters' in the show." These flashback beauties also ushered a highly theatrical element into the show. The Calvin Klein style, with its sleek, wet, glossy crown and dry textured ponytail seemed to echo the contrast in the collection itself. To create these looks, Guido used Redken's hardwear 16 super-strength gel; glass 01 smoothing serum; and powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo.
Calvin Klein CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken |
Hardwear 16 super-strength gel | Glass 01 smoothing serum | Powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo |
Create the Look:
- Create a deep left side-part.
- Layer in hardwear 16 gel from the hairline to the nape of the neck (the hair should be flat to the scalp).
- Pull the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck.
- Apply glass 01 smoothing serum all over the crown of the head for high shine.
- Spray powder refresh 01 throughout the ponytail, so there isn't any shine, for a true contrast to the texture of the crown.
HOT went behind the scenes at New York City's Fashion Week to present this special report on the Ports 1961 show.
Ports 1961
At the Fall/Winter 2012 Ports 1961 runway show, structured forms dominated-from color blocked metallics to fur-trimmed looks. The color palette reflected various shades of gray, but there were also unexpected pops of cream and brown hues. "As the clothes are very dramatic and modern, we wanted the girl to be modern and not reference any other era," says Guido, Redken Creative Consultant. "We didn't want it to be romantic-we just wanted it to be cool. That cool comes from the nonchalance and ease of the hair. If you're wearing clothes like Ports that are very stylized, you need to give that offset, so it's very important we provide offset with very easy hair." Satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion was Guido's styling product of choice for the show.
Ports 1961 CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken |
Satinwear 02 prepping blow-dry lotion |
Create the Look:
- Lightly blow-dry hair with satinwear 02, not blowing it stick straight, not leaving it wavy, easy and light.
- Create a messy center-part.
- Twist hair into a low knot and leave it to air-dry to give the hair structure.
- Once dry, take out the knot and create a very low ponytail, securing it with an elastic band.
- Tuck ponytail into the clothing.
Reed Krakoff
Minimalist looks are key to Reed Krakoff's Fall/Winter 2012 collection. As for the hair, "the style is minimal, but exact," reveals Redken Creative Consultant Guido. "It's flatter on top and fuller through the ends, and it's all about texture-a truly natural, matte finish. I used our new powder refresh 01 first throughout to give the hair dry texture, and then our new powder grip 03. While powder grip 03 is often used on the roots, I actually used it on the hair shaft to give volume and a matte finish throughout the lengths, which is where I wanted it to plump up the strands."
Guido used the power of Redken's powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo and powder grip 03 mattifying hair powder to create these textured looks.
Reed Krakoff CREDITS: Charles Sykes for Redken |
Powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo | Powder grip 03 mattifying hair powder |
Create the Look:
- Part hair to the side using a comb when the hair is wet.
- Let the hair dry naturally and tuck it behind the ears.
- Apply powder refresh 01 lightly from the crown to the ends to add texture and absorb any excess oil.
- Shake a small amount powder grip 03 into hands and rub from mid-lengths to the ends for added body and dimension.