The Blonds Runway Show Spring 2009- Bold, Beautiful, Bejeweled

I was chatting with the great folks from Creative Nail Design backstage at the MILLY Runway show, telling them how much I loved the flashy, faux nails from the Baby Phat show last season. "Well, then, you've GOT to come to The Blonds runway show...the nails are going to be teriffic!" they said. Not one to resist an opportunity to see great nails (and what I knew would be an outrageously fun show), I gamely made my way over to the Altman Building several hours before the show. As you can see fron this close-up, models wore glittering, colorful, jeweled, or sequined nails, depending upon their outfits (sequins for swimsuits, jewels for the finale, etc/). The photo cannot do them justice--these are one-of-a-kind creations for The Blondes, but I am hoping Creative Nail Design re-creates them for the general public..as youc an see, they are truly fabulous! Hair and makeup were already being done in a frenzy of activity, but the nails were applied closer to show time because even good press-on nails can fall off. Toenails were left unpolished to showcase all the glitz and colorful shoes, but with sequined, bejeweled and hand painted nails on every finger, you've got to be careful!

David Blond is looking at the nails, by Creative Nail Design, pre-show.

P Philippe Blond gets the bejeweled nails for a seriously bejeweled outfit for the finale.

Billy B and the MAC Pro Team created a "doll like" look with the specific style of The Blondes. It featured a very matte face with a bit of shimmer, a brown countour blush dusted over with peach. The only other addition was some concealer where needed. The lips were a departure from many shows, featuring not just one, but actually two lip looks: violet and peach, with lip liner exaggerated outside the natural lip line, and lots of shiny dusty coral lip gloss. The look is "tranny" but not trashy. The eyes looked eearliy like doll eyes, but lots of false eyelashes and some mascara, but no liner. Eyebrows were "subdued" with a beige-ish brow mascara that softened the brows almost into oblivion, but not quite. As you can see in both versions (and especially with the blonde wig), the models really do look like living dolls!

Each model got a blonde wig, designed by Jimmy Paul for Bumble and Bumble. "It's amazing, but every model looks good with these blonde wigs," said Jimmy. The addition of the larger-than-life, blonder-than-blonde hair, really made the look come alive.

Phillipe and David Blond already have a reputation as rebel designers. They launched their label just four years ago. The designs are, for the most part, full fantasy outfits that are not only one of a kind, but are attractive to unique individuals who aren't going to look like everyone else any day of the week. No wonder the front row of the show was filled with colorful fans like Lady Bunny and Annette Lepore. These are three of my favorites from the runway.

Accessories were key for these looks. There were supersized, absolutely amazing (I am in love with) jewels provided by Bastion by Ramona Boucher. I met her husband backstage and really want to check out the rest of her starry collection, including a couple dazzling rings so large, they needed not one, but two rings to hold them on a model's hands. And, a glitzed-out corset worn over a dress might not be everyone's idea of casual wear, but there were a number of these gorgeous garments on the runway.

The "Vegas Showgirl" feathers met with enthusiastic applause, too. With all the people milling around backstage, dying for a look, "Touch or Die" makes the sentiment, clear.

Donna Summer's music brought the disco-inspired collection to the runway with a thumping beat. I was standing in the back, and the light was right in my camera lens, but I did manage to get some photos. Here's the first look on the runway.

Most of the designs are club wear, but while there were lots of amazing, fantasy outfits, there were some quite beautiful, wearable gowns and even a glittering swimsuit covered with crystals that would look amazing with a skirt or pants for an evening occasion, and some very flashy but elegant gowns that reminded me of Nolan Miller's in the "Dynasty" days.

I wasn't able to get to the runway to photograph the guest for this show, but afterwards, lady bunny posed with a friend in an equally interesting costume. What a great evening!!!!

All content and photos (unless otherwise specifically marked) --Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. Please feel free to link to this post. For other permissions, email the Advice Sisters advicesisters(at)advicesisters(dot)net