Fashion Week 2013

For a makeup artist, there is nothing more exciting than Fashion Week in New York City where the latest trends in fashion and beauty are revealed for the season. If you are lucky, you are apart of the handful of elite artists chosen to bring the designer’s vision to life behind the scenes. 

This year I was able to stand side by side with a very talented group of artist lead by Uzo, Nars Cosmetics Global Artist, who imagined the looks for the Tribune Standard and Joy Cioci shows amongst others.  I also privilege of working with Francelle Daly, National Makeup Artist for Nars Cosmetics, for the first time awakening her vision for the 3.1 Phillip Lim Show.   

The two looks created for Tribune Standard were simply called Bronze and Brass. Describing her vision Uzo said, “I wanted eyes to take center stage in shades of antique bronze, brass and gold to meld with the North African-Arabic influences in the collection. Lips and cheeks are fresh in nude and tangerine.” The beauty of this look was the blending to harmonize the bold colors, which transcended beyond the brow.

Brass.

Bronze.

My model in "Brass" for Tribune Standard. 

My model in "Brass" at Joy Tribune Standard.

“Mermaids meet the roaring 20s” was the imaginative look created by Uzo to compliment Joy Cioci’s aquamarine inspired frocks.  This was my favorite look to recreate because of the inspired detail that went into it. The latest additions to Nars’ fall collection were prominent in this look, featuring shimmery blue and white eyeshadows mimicking the shades of the ocean and foamy waves, along with chunky silver cream blush high atop the cheek bones and glimmering on the skin to emulate the scales of a mythical sea creature. The models went sans color on the cheeks and wore a cool toned pink lip exaggerating their cupid’s bow and stripped down on the center of the bottom lip. 

Mermaid meets the Roaring 20s.

Look for Joy Cioci recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

Behind the scenes at Joy Cioci.

3.1 Phillip Lim was strictly rock n’ roll with Francelle’s 90’s inspired grunge rock look with a modern twist. The models donned clumpy mascara and lashes intentionally stuck together with bronzer just down the center of the face and barely there lips to emulate the edgy recycled makeup worn by girls who’ve been at a music festival for days. My skills as an artist and grace under fire was tested as I recreated the look, which focused on mascara (we used a minimum of 8 coats on top and bottom lashes), while two hair hairdressers teased and styled hair and two manicurist tackled manicures and pedicures. With only 20 minutes to do a full face of makeup, I wasn’t above straddling the manicurists working on the model’s pedicure to get the job done.

My back stage pass to 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Look for 3.1 Phillip Lim recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

Look for 3.1 Phillip Lim recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

The looks were all amazingly beautiful and creative. I felt so honored to be apart of the NARS artistry team and to be surrounded by the incredibly talented designers, makeup artists, hairdressers and manicurists who all worked so hard to create the flawless looks that graced the runways this season.  I can’t wait to do it again next year!