With the rich fabrics & textures of Fall 2008 demanding attention, beauty has resigned to a perceived simplicity. The key to Fall is flawless skin paired with one feature accented. No other feature portrays confidence like a strong lip.
Inspired by the rich color of Oscar De La Renta's Fall 2008 collection, we chose to accent the lips in a vibrant shade of plum. Makeup artist Jeffrey Dwayne used Givenchy’s Rouge Interdit lipstick in Stylish Purple on model Nana, though complimentary shades can be found for other skin tones. We like MAC’s Plumful and Lacome’s Color Design in Curtain Call. Honestly, it’s not about the shade of plum lipstick you wear, but the confidence you exude, a lesson we can all take from Oscar's confident woman.
It's freezing, we know. It's also late enough in the season that some of us may have started actively daydreaming about summer. This video by The Teenagers might just facilitate that process. Oh, and it's f-ing hilarious. So, if you're the sort who is focusing on the Barney's Warehouse Sale rather than the 3/15 deliveries (one of the biggest spring deliveries), at least you'll have a laugh. Bonus points: the appearance of a plum silk tie neck blouse, and the narrative acting as our Ode to London Fashion Week part two.
So it seems our British friends have taken A/W 08 in an entirely different direction. That is, the fur and sparkle of New York's A/W 08, not to mention the deep plums and vibrant greens are virtually non-existent. London Fashion Week, thus far has been a little more Terminator, a little less Kindergarden Cop. Just take a peek at our photo galleries from Topshop Unique, Jacob Kimmie,
Krystof Strozyna, and Modernist Autumn, it's virtually another fashion world. All of these collections dominated by black and white, most with eruptions of red in the most brazen display (it's not worked in slowly, it's thrust into the collection and promptly removed). Sure, you could call upon Paul Smith from the Londoners, and
Camilla Staerk from the New Yorkers to argue that there is crossover. To which we'd say: "Despite some dandy-embellishments, Paul Smith is no different than Ralph Lauren, and Camilla Staerk is a newcomer. Those are bad examples.". So we win. And boy, do we love the fight.
Perhaps our beloved designers didn't venture too far down the aisle at Mood this year. It seems the S/S 08 lilac craze has morphed into plum for A/W 08. Here are just a few of many looks that include some shade of plum, which we know will look quite sharp with red lipstick, pale skin, and dark wool layers.
Yesterday, we talked with the MAC team about the rock n' roll inspired makeup for Bill Blass. The truth is, you never know how the makeup will turn out on the runway. No matter how beautiful it looks backstage, when the models get hit with bright, white lights and a million flashbulbs, it can be a disaster. Funnily enough, the makeup for Bill Blass wasn't our favorite close-up but looked spectacular on the runway.
The show, it turns out, was not of the rock n' roll variety. The look of Peter Som's collection for Bill Blass was rather ladylike with a nod to film noir (and all those powerful mischievous women). The plum, cobalt, and aqua palette, set against black was striking and high waisted belting kept everything tucked in where it counts. We suppose the reason for the rock n' roll makeup was mostly the need for intensity. The makeup served to mature the collection, and encouraged its dark side, rather than its pretty one.
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Pop colors are abundant these days. We all know that. You start with the neutrals and then pick a few complimentary brights to serve as lining, piping, and the like. The Behnaz Sarafpour A/W 08 collection was the perfect example. Deep plums and acid green's jumped off garments while the blacks served to classify the bright color. Two amazing flapper-like dresses turned up solid, showing off Sarafpour's knowledge of texture (the dresses moved like sea anemones) and confidence in the two hues that only appear in glimpses elsewhere.
We've been keeping our eye on the MAC teams this week and this afternoon, backstage at Behnaz Sarafpour, we were most impressed. Drawing from a palette that included flashes of acid green and deep plum, MAC sprayed these girls with a new product they're soon launching, which brightens even the most tired eyes. For the rest of the face, MAC keep it neutral with a matte cheek and glossed lips. Video of this technique and of tonight's show to you shortly.
We've summarized the Fall 08 trends, as seen in New York Fashion Week. Although we're glad that the season's shows are nearly over, we don't mind reliving the trends for a sense of cohesion. Our thoughts on what Fall 08 in New York has come to represent include ladylike gloves, opulence, lean tailoring, plum (and a few other bright ideas), fur (an opulence overdose), bold tights, layered texture, and hats galore.
We also have impressive designer video interviews and original editorial spreads. May we cordially suggest perusing our selection? Enjoy New York Fashion Week Designer Video Interviews from Oscar De La Renta, Donna Karan for DKNY,Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, Nicole Miller, Erin Fetherston, Ashleigh Verrier , Adam Lippes, James Coviello, John Varvatos , Monique Lhuillier, Joanna Mastroianni, Tory Burch, Neeam Khan
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