My week at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was drawing to a close. Exhausted but still exhilarated,   I had several more shows to do before heading out of the snowstorms! One collection I was especially looking forward to was the Toni Francesc Collection for Fall/Winter 2010/11.  It was Toni’s second show at MBFW, and  of course produced by none other than Kelly Cutrone and her team of the now famous tv reality show “Kell on Earth”, a show that is about the most “reality” of ANY reality show I have seen to date!(Yes the fashion  business is really THAT stressful at times folks!)

The Fall / Winter  line for Francesc is based on an androgynous image, one in which man and technology combine.  So I expected  more avant garde makeup and hair than I had seen in the majority of shows this season. Frankly, I was really ready for a little shake up aesthetically,  as the majority of my  experiences in the tents this season was definitely a more subdued one ….. designing for the times maybe?

Well, I was NOT disappointed!  Straight away into the (always too warm thanks to makeup lights, and too many hot hair appliances )backstage area for hair and makeup with my trusty HD FLIP Video and Canon camera I went, snapping and interviewing my way through the fray!  Since Toni’s collection was coloured to represent metal and other industrial elements,  the makeup from the famous line of Mehron cosmetics matched the theme perfectly. Gold metallic powder was used liberally on lips and cheeks, and paired with a matte peach eye and strong black liner.  Brows were strong and masculine accenting the eyes strongly.  The Salerm hair design team used identical black wigs on each model , cut into a tapered bob cut, there was a definite 1920′s feel.

While the look may not translate effortlessly for daytime wear for the every woman, there were definitely  elements that were very do able, and  relate able, such as the  burnished ,highlighted cheeks and chic hair cut.   Raedawn Johnson, lead artist for Mehron Makeup, and Nelson, the lead on the Salerm hair team did spectacular work and really made the skin and hair shine!

Clothing highlighted menswear, strong shoulders and metallic accents throughout.  The colors refer to rusted metals and industrial elements, the textiles consist of cotton, viscose and silk, featuring textures and and shades that are modified through fading processes. Not for the meek, but definitely statement pieces and clearly inspired by genius talent!

photo credits to Bella P.R. 212-868-8183

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