OOTD: Almost SPRING!

Even though it's a bit gray and still chilly in New York today, I'm ready for Spring! In honor of the new season, I've taken the liberty of retiring my closed toe shoes, neutral bag and winter coat, in favor of a lighter look. Top to bottom, here's what I'm wearing today:

• Diane von Furstenberg sunglasses
• Banana Republic trench
• Old Navy Linen Blend Crochet Trim Tunic
• Forever 21 scarf
• Old Navy Diva skinny jeans in Gray
• Cynthia Vincent Luella zip wedges
• Balenciaga Giant City in Outremer

 

What closet items are you breaking out this month? Do tell!

 

Give Me the Business: Karen Elson for St. John

I live and die for a redhead, so it's the highlight of my life to share that model Karen Elson is the new face of St. John.

She follows in the footsteps of actress Angelina Jolie, who was the face of the collection for three years.

Long live models!

Source: Stylelist

Watch This: A Tavi-Eye View of Rodarte for Target

Teen style blogger and Rodarte muse Tavi Gevinson made the scene during New York Fashion Week in September, and worked with designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy on an exciting video project to promote the new Rodarte for Target collection, hitting stores December 20.

The short film offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the lookbook shoot, press preview and ad shoot (on location in North Dakota!), as well as the Rodarte Spring 2010 fashion show, with guest appearances by Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman and Elijah Wood, among others.

I must admit, this collection intrigues me though I am almost always beyond disappointed in Target's designer collabs.

What do you think? Are you planning to hit Target on December 20 to snag a few Rodarte pieces of your own?

Terry Richardson Takes on the Pirelli 2010 Calendar

Photographer Terry Richardson takes on the notorious Pirelli calendar for 2010, bringing his borderline dirtbag eye to things.

The racy photos (a banana? Really, Terry?) include models Catherine McNeil, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Miranda Kerr, Eniko Mihalik, Marloes Horst, Lily Cole, Daisy Lowe, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Georgina Stojilijkovic, Gracie Carvalho and Ana Beatriz Barros.

Take a look through the gallery at the NSFW images and tell me, are this high-art or just borderline smut?

New York Fashion Week: tarte for Hayden -Harnett Spring 2010

The tarte artistry team created the look for Hayden-Harnett's Spring 2010 Fashion presentation, which took place at The Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts on Thursday, September 10, 2009.

Hayden-Harnett's collection was inspired by a nomadic journey through lava fields and desert landscapes, so tarte makeup artists used this inspiration to create a warm complexion with a strong, geometric brow and soft lip. Think natural with just a hint of healthy glow. The eyes remain muted with a major focus on the brows.

What do you think of the Hayden-Harnett Spring 2010 face?

New York Fashion Week: NARS for Marc Jacobs Spring 2010

For the Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 collection, the legendary François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics, created a look inspired by the contemporary dancer, Martha Graham; old-fashioned and theatrical but graceful and precise.

At the same time, however, there was a darker side that was shone through: a quality of gothic romance. Ballerinas with a sense of mystery- as if part of them, along with some of their makeup, had been left behind on stage.

The models weren’t meant to have perfect makeup- rather, they were meant to encompass a “just came off-stage” effect. “Dancers in theater and opera always have white faces, pointed lips and an eye that is drawn outward, not upward-it’s very theatrical, very ballet,” said François Nars. He stressed the importance of the eye for this look, noting that “the shape of the eyeliner is important- it should open the eyes, especially underneath. The slashes of white is something they used to do in the 70s- it brings a 3-dimensional feeling to the makeup.”

This is another of my Spring 2010 favorites, more for dramatic appeal as opposed to real-life wearability.  What do you think?

 

Francois Nars Backstage at Marc Jacobs Spring 2010

New York Fashion Week: Shiseido for Zero + Maria Cornejo

Dick Page, Shiseido’s Artistic Director, was backstage for this week's Zero + Maria Cornejo show, creating a look inspired by “leftover makeup” with a touch of sun.

To get the look, Dick used Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color Tea Rose (RS302) and applied on the models’ bare skin, just on the cheeks and nose to give a sun-kissed look. He then lined the top and bottom lash line with the Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil in Brown (BR602). T

o give the look a little bit of slip, Dick applied a dab of the Accentuating Color Stick in Champagne Flush (S3) underneath the eyes. After curling the lashes, a touch of the Perfect Mascara in Black (BK901) was applied to model's eyes. Dick used the Natural Eyebrow Pencil if the eyebrows were very light and brushed up the hairs simultaneously. Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer Lipstick in Pout (RS326) was applied like a lip liner and patted to fill in the rest of the lip to create a soft, translucent lip.

What do you think of the Zero + Maria Cornejo face?

Dick Page at Work Backstage at Zero + Maria Cornejo

New York Fashion Week: MAC for Rodarte Spring 2010

M∙A∙C Senior Artist Chantel Miller designed the spectacular Maori-inspired geometric tattoo makeup seen on the runway at the Rodarte Spring/Summer 2010 runway show this week.

Working in close collaboration with designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy and key makeup artist James Kaliardos (for M∙A∙C), Miller created the full-sleeve, half-sleeve and neck tattoo designs, which were meant to evoke the feeling of a futuristic tribe, over the course of 4 weeks.

The morning of the show, Chantel, who specializes in body painting, spent 4 intensive hours with a team of 40 artists hand painting the elaborate body art. Each model received a customized combination of the designs depending on which look they were wearing in the show.

This is undoubtedly among my very fave looks of the season thus far...what say you?

New York Fashion Week: Aveda for Rodarte Spring 2010

For this week's Rodarte Spring 2010 show, lead hairstylist Odile Gilbert for Aveda created an edgy and daring, yet natural style, with hair pinned away from the face in a thin veil of black wool.

“Kate and Laura wanted something different—a bold hair look that would be unique to Rodarte, and really echo their collection. They were inspired by the work of photographer, Edward Curtis, who captured stunning images of the Native American peoples. They were also moved by the idea of a young girl from the country who wants to be sophisticated but doesn’t have much, so she twists a thin veil of black wool stylishly through her hair. The netting of black wool echoes the collection’s knits and textures. The look is raw, hard, and organic,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert suggests recreating the look at home, “This look can be worn with or without the black netting, and can be striking for evening wear. Begin by prepping wet hair with Aveda Phomollient™ Styling Foam (this product is fantastic for adding volume and texture with no crunch!) and blow-drying loosely with fingers. Layer hair generously with Aveda Pure Abundance™ Hair Potion and rake through to create texture and volume. Pin the sides back securely to create a roughed-up cascade that is swept away from the face. Finish with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray for hold.”