Fashion Week Blog: Jan Arnold 9-11-09
...pouring rain in NYC...bad for hair (not mine!), lashes and shoes...the best news is nails still look fresh and fabulous!
First up today is Ruffian; we love Brian and Claude, the design duo. They LOVE nails! They collect Hollywood books from the 30's and 40's and collect old vogue magazines. Women back then had glamorous nails, with bare moons against a liquid-glossy red backdrop. This is always their inspiration for the nail looks for their runway show. Their trademark mani this season had a medium sized bare moon, against 2 coats of raspberry ('Plumville'), with sleek 'BlackJack' tips in an almond shape and medium length. The nails matched the fuchsia carpet for the show and made a severe but high impact statement! Clothes were breath-taking with billows of layers in the short poof skirts and shoulders voluminous with tucks and folds.
Off to Twinkle...who's known for her hand-crafted knits and intricate detail. Very feminine and wearable. We did a gorgeous white nail ('Brilliant White') with a softening coat of 'Ivory Coast' and a sand-blasting of 'Super Matte'.....in a short length (1/8 inch beyond the finger) in a soft square shape. It was the perfect backdrop for the pops of color in the collection!
...now, for the high-light of the day: JASON WU!!!....you know who he is...the young American designer who created Michele Obama's dress for the inauguration! His show was TO DIE FOR!! Smart, chic dresses with tucks, folds and details up the wazoo! Rock n' rock elements made the little dresses so modern...super high platforms, exposed zippers and black lips. The NAILS: 'Copper Chrome' with a coat of 'Gold Pearl' and 'Super Matte' in a medium length soft square. They looked antiqued, rich and new. Keep your eye on Jason Wu...a real super star.
....run...in the rain to Cushnie and Och show at the Chelsea museum of art. These gorgeous Parson Grads have shown only two times before and they really hit a home run this season. Clothes were like architectural sculpture. Hair was wet and down, make-up was wet and dewy and nails......so liquid and drippy in an almond shape with two coats of 'Putty' and two coats of 'Copper Shimmer'. It seems you can layer 'Copper Shimmer' over practically everything to make it great!! Side note: sitting across from me in the front row was the coolest chick ever wearing a Comme de Garcons jacket, fuchsia tights, humongous platforms, Ray Bans and blue & red nails, every other nail was blue or red. I took a pix...I'll show you later!
Mad dash back to the hotel for a 3 mile run...only way to keep sane here. Change and run back downtown for the last show of the day...Costello Tagliapietra.
This design duo is known for their jersey draping and feminine refinement. The designers them selves look like lumberjacks in beards and plaid shirts...they look like brothers, but in fact...they're lovers. Such sweet hearts and like our other favorites, they GET nails. Make-up and nails are clean and fresh, beige and perfect...like a mannequin. Guess what we used? 'Putty'! Seems it's a fashion favorite this season. I happen to know it's also Hannah Lee and Cyndy Drummey's favorite as well!
1:00 a.m....hurry up and sleep...tomorrow's another day!