When it comes to hair, nails, and beauty at iconic New York brand The Blonds, there are a few things one can count on; the look will be packed with imagination and creativity, it will be unlike anything else you see all week, and there will be wigs.
These aspects make getting a sneak peek behind the scenes at the show one of the great pleasures of New York Fashion Week, and one we look forward to season after season.
Here's what went down at the Spring 2014 show, starting with THE WIGS!
To say a crowd was forming around the TIGI wig table backstage at The Blonds Spring 2014 show is putting it mildly. Stepping into the backstage area one couldn't help notice the film cameras, high profile photographers, and countless bloggers huddled around TIGI Global Creative Director Nick Irwin's area.
Why? BECAUSE THE WIGS WERE INSANE!
Bright blonde and shimmering like otherworldly orbs, the rounded wigs were like a beacon for media fireflies.
"OH MY GOD HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?" a reporter from a Canadian magazine was overheard whispering to her cameraman, "You have got to get this shot!"
The 'shots' were pretty incredible. Watching Irwin strategically strap the blonde balls to the heads of models was awe inspiring; it was a true act of gravity defying beauty. Here's how Irwin explained the process:
- Prep hair with CATWALK® by TIGI® Sleek Mystique Look-Lock Hairspray and flat iron to ensure a smooth, sleek finish.
- Tightly pull hair into a ponytail at the crown, securing with an elastic while setting with CATWALK® by TIGI® Sleek Mystique Look-Lock Hairspray for a lacquered shine and CATWALK® by TIGI® Session Series Finishing Spray for hold.
- Next, style the ponytail three-plait braid and tightly twist into a bun, securing with pins.
- Then, carefully place the head piece over the bun and secure with pins, setting the final look with additional CATWALK® by TIGI® Session Series Finishing Spray.
- Lastly, spray the sides of the head with CATWALK® by TIGI® Your Highness Weightless Shine Spray so the sides of the head have the same hi-shine finish as the head piece.
Now, on to the nails
As has been the tradition for several seasons, Nail-Art inventors at CND hand-crafted 36 individual one-of-a-kind crystal, spike, and hologram encrusted tips for the show. These gorgeous little works of art, which reportedly took nearly a week of 15-hour long days for the craftsmen at CND to create, unfortunately won't be available to the public for sale, but thankfully, the "VINYLUX" line of nail color, which was also used in the show is, so die-hard glam fans can get a little taste of the show at home.
Finally, the beauty
It goes without saying that the wild hair and nails created for The Blonds could not be paired with some ordinary beauty. It required an out of this world idea, so, of course, creating it was a task for legendary artist Kabuki of MAC.
"Star Trek meets Tweety Bird" was the inspiration Kabuki gave Style Wylde as he worked on Interscope artist Ivy Levan (who walked in the show) backstage. And tweety-rific it was. Starting with a primary yellow Chromacake swiped across the lid and 'winged out' with a #242 brush, Kabuki created a dramatic eye. He then used High Definition Chromagraphic Pencil lined inside the waterline, and Bamboom paint in the crease (diffused upward) for added depth and set the whole thing off with a straight "like Spock" bold brow.
All images: C.Hope /S.Whittle for Style Wylde.
For more from The Blonds Spring 2014 show check out the Style Wylde runway feature here.