There are some moments during NYFW that stay with you from season to season, regardless of how many different shows you see. I remember my first Betsey Johnson show, where the designer and Pat Field danced together at the end of the runway. I remember standing in the upper balcony of the Hammerstein Ballroom and watching in awe as G-Star sent models down not one, not two, but three runways simultaneously. It was a feast for the eyes!
Of course I will never forget Diego Binetti's Spring/Summer 2011 presentation, due in large part to the astonishingly beautiful "cocktail ring nails" that CND's co-founder Jan Arnold and team created for the show. Under the direction of lead nail artist Roxanne Valinoti, the team created unique nails for every model, based on vintage jewelry pieces. When Jan Arnold visited Binetti's studio four weeks prior to the presentation, the collection was already completed. From this meeting, Arnold was able to take away fabric swatches and return to her team of nail artists with a challenge: each of them were tasked with creating unique pieces of art, with the best pieces being included in the show. As a result, the team returned with one of a kind statement nails, each more exquisite than the last. Most viewing the presentation didn't even realize that the "jewelry" was actually a part of the nail!
In addition to the cocktail nails, Roxanne Valinoti created a nude shimmering nail on the rest of the model's fingers to accent the jeweled nails, using Perfectly Bare Shimmer from CND's Spring Colour & Effect Duo (available March 2011).
The makeup, created by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' David Klasfeld, was designed to enhance the model's natural beauty with natural (yet flawless) skin, a soft brown eye, sculpted cheek, and a balmy lip.
The hair, created by Cutler, was the finishing touch the models needed to be turned into full-blown princesses. Cutler's team of stylists performed another beauty miracle backstage at Binetti (it was a miraculous Saturday) - nearly every model featured in the presentation received extensions to polish her goddess-like look.
The energy backstage was electric - everyone seemed to realize that they were taking part in something magical, and I'm very lucky to have witnessed it.
Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:
