Models wore Dorothy's ruby slippers on their lips at the Wizard of Oz inspired Nathan Jenden Spring 2011 show. Key makeup artist Makky for MAC was inspired by the "young girl on an adventure" theme and went for an "American prep school girl goes to the beach, from 1940 to Lady Gaga" look. The results were sparkling red lips paired with winged eye liner in silver or black.

Lips were lined with Currant Lip Pencil and filled in with Cherry and Crimson Lipmix. Complete by pressing red glitter on to them with your fingertips. The eye liner was done 50s style but with a modern twist; the black version was done with gel liner and the silver version was done with silver pigment layered over a white pencil. Mascara was applied on the outer 3/4 of the eyes. Finally, to make the skin glow, Makky used a Mineralize Skinfinish to highlight the cheekbones, nose and chin.

Products used (all by MAC):

Face:

Studio Sculpt Foundation

Transparent Prep + Prime Powder

Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skin Finish

Eyes:

Blacktrack Fluidline

White Chromographic Pencil

Silver Pigment

Haught & Naughty Lash

Lips:

Currant Lip Pencil

Cherry Lip Pencil

Crimson Lipmix (PRO)

Reflects Red Glitter (PRO)

On the hair front, key hair stylist Neil Moodie for Bumble and bumble mixed The Wiz with The Wizard of Oz to create a Judy Garland/Diana Ross hybrid -- two pony tails with a matted frizzy/afro texture. Bumble and bumble styling cream was dried into the hair to create thickness and density and extensions were used to add volume and length where needed. Hair was then curled with two small curling irons in different sizes and a few sections were crimped to prevent a uniform look.

Product used:

styling creme

The nails at the show were a stark contrast against the loud hair and makeup. Kena Marcell from Ginger+Liz Colour Collection used two creamy cool hues of grey to complete the beauty look.

Products used (all by Ginger + Liz Colour Collection):

Can You Keep A Secret?

Not On The First Date 

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

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.

Photos by Lesley Forrester

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

Dick Page, Makeup Artistic Director for Shiseido and key makeup artist at United Bamboo, created a look inspired by the United Bamboo Spring 2011 collection that was “natural" and "felt real” since the presentation attendees would be able to see the models up close. To keep the models looking fresh faced, a minimal amount of foundation was applied and mascara was skipped. Dick wanted to “melt color onto the eye” and achieved the effect by applying lip balm onto the lids and layering the darkest shade in the Snow Shadow trio over the lip balm. A sheer nude lipstick took down some of the red in the lips to complete the look.

Products used (all by Shiseido):

Eyes:

Snow Shadow Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio

Benefiance Full Correction Lip Treatment

Lips:

Alabaster Shimmering Rouge Lipstick (Available February 2011) 

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

The runway looks for Edition Georges Chakra were super sexy and vibrant, so the hair and makeup looks had to be compliment the designs without overpowering. Makeup teams from MAC Pro, lead by Terry Barber, and hair teams from Cutler Salon, lead by Leon Gorman, created the looks.

The makeup was inspired by an "accidental Pirelli calendar girl". To achieve this look, key makeup artist Terry Barber used the following products:

Face

Studio Sculpt Foundation

Cheeks

Improper Copper, Tint, and Midtone Sepia Cream Color Bases

Eyes

Mix of Midtone Sepia and Tint Cream Color Bases

Retrospeck eyeshadow on the lid

Caviar Dreams eyeshadow in the crease

"loads of mascara"

Lips

So Vain and Super Kissable Lip Color (new for Spring 2011)

Leon Gorman wanted to create a hairstyle that was very cool, with a bit of an edge, yet sophisticated. Inspired by Helmut Newton, using a bit of Redken Strong Hold Gel to create a sexy look. The gel was applied in sections, then combed through the front. A loose braid was created, leaving the style very loose in the back. To finish the look, he used Redken Forceful 23 hairspray.

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

You might remember that I've recently had my fair share of fun, thanks to the good people at Nautica. Naturally, when they invited me to attend their Spring 2011 presentation, who was I turn down the invitation?

Spring 2011 is inspired by the spirit of the water, the people and the architecture of the American Southern Coast. From the active lifestyle of the Florida Keys to the casual elegance that is part of the tradition and charm of New Orleans, life on the southern coast is vibrant. From the beaches, to the gulf, to the bayous and wetlands that surround the big cities and small towns of the south, comes a soulful and colorful heritage and a deep connection to the water. The sun is always warm. Dress, like the lifestyle, is easy and authentic. The traveler and the local blend seamlessly into the landscape, finding inspiration in everyday adventures. Life on the southern coast  is truly a life well-lived.

How could I not enjoy a collection based on the south? As the inspiration states, the pieces had a polished, casual ease, created with cottons, seersuckers and denim. Admittedly, the southern gal in me would love to sip tea on a veranda overlooking the water with a man dressed exactly like this.

The collection was split between swimwear, what one might normally associate with the Nautica brand, and Americana sportswear. Which pieces are your favorite?

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

The Callula Lillibelle presentation was one of my personal favorites of the Spring 2011 season. Design duo William Calvert and Melanie Fraser Heart’s collection had “cool clothes” with a “dressed up edge” in a range of colors and silhouettes that I need in my life.

William shared the inspiration for the collection:

"She gathers as she hunts. She's quite eclectic, travels the globe, picking the best things as she goes and mixing them all up. She's mixing up length, she's mixing up volume, she's mixing up colors. It's her way of being quirky and cool and modern."

The collection was done in "lots of hip friendly fabric," which was music to my ears.  Some of the fabrics used were linens, silks, cotton and lycra. The clothes are made in the U.S. and are priced in the $100-500 range.

There were plenty of dresses, skirts and pants paired with jackets done in solids and prints for the woman who is looking for anything from a tuxedo-inspired piece, to one looking for a style with bold shoulders. It is hard to pick a few favorites, but some standouts for me were the Black Bonded Tulle Moto-Cross Jacket and Red Stretch Ponte Wide Leg Pants ensemble, the Chaos Printed Organza One-Shoulder Dress, and the Beige Sweater Knit Draped Jacket paired with the Zebra Metallic Slouchy 3/4” Pants.

James Vincent for Make Up For Ever did the makeup for the presentation.  The most striking features were the eyes, which had beautiful washes of color. David Cruz for CUTLER styled the models' hair.  Shoes were by ALDO and Stuart Weitzman.

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

The makeup at the Staerk presentation was inspired by French interior designer Andrée Putman’s furniture. Key artist for MAC Pep Gay’s look was “very linear, very pure, very strong, which makes a very bold look.” The focus of the makeup was a bold deep purple lip that was “pointy and square on the top” done with Currant lip pencil and Smoked Purple lipstick. Eye brows were not filled in but groomed and lashes were curled. The skin was kept simple with some concealer to cover up redness and cheeks were lightly contoured with a sculpting powder.

Products used (all by MAC):

Face:

Face and Body Foundation

Studio Sculpt Concealer

Shadester Sculpting Powder

Taupe Sculpting Powder

Lips:

Smoked Purple Lipstick

Currant Lip Pencil

Rolando Beauchamp for Bumble and bumble created a 80s inspired double French twist. Roland prepped the hair with lots of prep and use of a curling iron. The updo was smooth on one side with a wave on the opposite side.

Products used (all by Bumble and bumble):

prep

does it all styling spray

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

For Spring 2011, Spanish designer Tony Francesc took us on a journey through an Urban Forest.

"Urban Forest" is a collection that is just as versatile as wood itself. In this respect, depending on its treatment, wood can present its most natural dimension, as witnessed in tree bark, or its most elaborate side, including carved and molded wooden forms. The collection's clothing items present a series of rough and enveloping forms combined with other cleaner volumes and straight, milder lines.

The range of colors derives from natural landscapes, based on a predominant use of neutral shades such as beige white, and grey, tones that contrast with flashes of light in the form of yellow, turquoise, and coral.

The collection was stunning - a gorgeous mix of neutrals with pops of luscious greens and corals. Some of the looks were flowing and feminine, while others embraced more sculptural elements brought to life by strong construction.

Accenting the Urban Forest theme, Nashelle Jewelry collaborated with Francesc to create the recycled wooden jewelry that punctuated the looks. The pieces will be available for purchase beginning October 5th.

Photos by Lesley Forrester

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

There is something about Christian Siriano's journey that the fashion industry has embraced. Each season, his show is a hot ticket. It feels like everyone is on the edge of their seat, perhaps interested to know what his next collection for Payless will contain, or are fans of the built in drama his designs exude. Either way, this season's show was packed with everyone from editors, to buyers, bloggers, a celebrity-filled front row, and even family friends.

Spring 2011 felt like we were taking a journey with Christian through a glamorous desert, from the print of the entrance to the runway, to the patterned floor, and the lighting for the show. The collection began with pieces fit for day, through cocktail wear, and finally transitioning into full-throttle red carpet gowns. Christian's customer definitely understands that there is a time and place for drama during all hours of the day. The standouts of the collection were undoubtedly the two finale gowns, one in a vibrant red and the other in a gorgeous bone.

For his Spring 2011 Payless Collection, Siriano said of his collection:

My runway shows for Spring '11 meld cultural influences from Africa, India and China together into a single design aesthetic. Since the apparel for Spring is very feminine and pretty, I really wanted the shoes to form a harder, edgier contrast. I love working with the Payless team -- we design powerful shoes with great impact for the runway and then together create fabulous designer shoes that embody my runway inspirations and details -- a collection of unique and wearable designs for today's modern woman.

The show also featured sunglasses by Christian Siriano and jewelry by Brad Walsh.

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid:

A 60s themed updo was the style of choice for the Carmen Marc Valvo Spring 2011 show. Ted Gibson was the key hairstylist and Devin Toth gave us the rundown of the look:

The inspiration was a “60s girl just sitting in her house and has 5 minutes to get ready and wants to be pretty but still young and modern. It's done but not too done. It still has a purpose.” To execute the look, the team did a “high chignon that has a lot of texture. And it was so loose that we actually left the tail right out of it.”

Check out the step-by-step instructions below:

• Prep dry hair with Build It to give hair a beachy/wavy texture.
• Gather hair into a high ponytail.
• Roll the hair into a loose chignon.
• Push the chignon over the ponytail and secure it to conceal the ponytail.
• Finally, massage the scalp with hairspray resulting in contrasting texture on the scalp.

Products used:

Ted Gibson Build It Blow Drying Agent

Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hairspray

Style IT's Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week coverage is proudly sponsored by Torrid: