Fashion Week: Backstage at Rachel Roy

A couple of weeks back, I had the chance to check out a couple of shows from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, 2011. I don’t have that many opportunities to squeeze the shows around preschool and everything else going on, but I definitely jump at the chance when one comes up.

I absolutely love the energy backstage during hair and makeup. Everyone is super busy, but only a few seem harried, and everything feels as though it runs like a well greased machine. The models sit patiently as people buzz around them, fussing over their wardrobe and hair. Nary a one behaves like a diva (as far as I have seen), and they all seem to go with the flow, breezing between the stations. I’m certainly no pro at backstage lurking, but I’ve been to around 6 now and they all have been very similar. It is truly incredible watching the artists tweak and polish their crafts, preparing to display them to the world.

Rachel Roy Fall 2011

Makeup: Bobbi Brown for Bobbi Brown
Hair: Ted Gibson for L’Oréal Professionnel
Nails: Dana Caruso for Sally Hansen

One of my favorite stylists, Ted Gibson, was on hand doing hair. He incorporated fabric from the collection and wove it into braids on top of the model’s heads for a very “bohemian, downtown chic” look. You can see my interview with Ted here.

Rachel Roy’s presentation of her Fall 2011 collection was stunning. I watched as Bobbi Brown touched up the model’s makeup while chatting with the designer, acting as though the 50 cameras surrounding them weren’t even there. They buzzed around, giving interviews to various some reporters and smiling together for photos until it was time to invite the guests in.

The “ethnic bohemia” styles really caught my eye. Lots of layers, rich colors and different textures were abound. I could easily see myself prancing down the streets of NYC in one of the gorgeous coats from Roy’s Trench Capsule Collection… you know, on my way to preschool and the grocery store.

I was so inspired, I went home and promptly braided mine and Zoe’s hair, a la Ted Gibson…

…or at least I attempted to.

Hey, glamour is as glamour does.