Creative Nail Design at The Blonds- Claws, Crystals, and more - NYFW Fall 2010

Of all the shows I saw during Fashion Week, the one I knew would be the most eye-catching and memorable was the one at the Altman Building for The Blonds. In some shows, you might not notice the nails so much, but in a runway show where "Jungle Goddess" is the theme and theatrics are what bring out fans and celebrities alike, nails, really matter.

Creative Nail Design nail techs made custom nails for The Blonds, and these had a big part in creating amazing looks on the runway. I had a chance to visit backstage at The Blonds, and get the scoop on the nail looks. Kristina Estabrooks was the lead for this show (see and hear her describe the looks in detail on my video further down in this post)

Unlike many runway shows where the girls all get the same nail treatment, there were many different sets of nail looks for The Blonds. Although Creative Nail Design used press-on nails, many of the looks were created on site at the Altman Building. And, as you'll hear Kristina say on the video (below), when it comes to The Blonds, there are often last minute changes (for this show, girly pink nails were added at the last minute, just for starters).

Creative Nail Design crafted all the nails on press-on bases, using a lot of Red (Scarlet Letter polish) and Black Jack (black polish). But they also used some unique items to make the looks, pop! You might not be able to re-create these complicated looks at home, but you can "get the look" by adding decorations to your nails while the polish is wet such as sugar crystals, coffee grounds, or crystals (and then cover or seal the look with a top coat such as CNDs Super Shine-E)

For The Blonds, we were treated to nails with red pave crystals and crushed glass, nails with sequins, nails with swirls of silver and gold chrome polish over or under another polish. There were also bona-fide "talons" (polished with CND's Brilliant White polish, applied at the last moments before the model walked the runway). For Philippe Blond, there was one special set of white nails encrusted with all pave crystals...but that's not all!

Two sets of nails were done by Anna Nelson, winner of Creative Nail Design's Art Nail Contest Winner. Her prize was a trip to Fashion Week, and I also met her backstage at the Twinkle show. Nelson was part of the CND team at The Blonds, as well. Her nails were created by swirling metallic polish on or over another layer of wet nail polish, to create one of a kind designs on the nails.

I had planned to talk to Creative Nail Design's Jan Arnold, but I missed her. However, I did get a chance to get Creative Nail Design's Kristina Estabrooks to explain the nail look a bit more on the (unedited) video, below. I hope you like it!

Creative Nail Design's Christina Estabrooks details the nails, for The Blonds Fall 2010 runway show.

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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

Nail Myths, De-bunked Courtesy of Creative Nail Design

Creative Nail Design http://www.creativenaildesign.com/ has been featured on many of my Fashion Week Posts, as they are really the nail company of the runways.

CND was kind enough to share some Beauty “Lies” and Realities with me. These myths may surprise you!

1. Lie: “Eat gelatin to grow strong, healthy nails.”
Reality: There is no scientific evidence of any benefit to nails from eating gelatin.


2. Lie: “Never file ‘back and forth’ on the nail.”
Reality: Filing ‘back and forth’ is perfectly safe IF you are using a fine grit file (240 or higher).


3. Lie: “It is best to leave toe nails square to prevent in-grown toe-nails.”
Reality: Square corners create sharp spikes that are driven into the surrounding skin under the pressure of tight or pointed shoes. Always trim corners at a 45 degree angle and smooth nail into a rounded square.


4. Lie: “Remove enamel and all coatings from the nail periodically to ‘let them breathe’.”
Reality: Coatings – anything from a thin base and top coat to a nail enhancement coating – protect nails and help to prevent them from becoming dry and brittle.


5. Lie: “Acetone polish remover is bad for nails.”
Reality: Acetone-based removers are superior because they efficiently remove pigment from the nail, leaving no residue or stain. Non-acetone removers evaporate very slowly, leaving a gummy film behind.


6. Lie: “Square shaped nails are stronger than oval or almond shapes.”
Reality: Strength comes from the sidewalls of the nail. Always keep the sides parallel, where the pink meets the white, and then begin shaping near the extended edge.


7. Lie: “It is OK to cut off calluses.”
Reality: Smooth, do not remove calluses. Calluses protect the pressure points of the feet. You need them. Use a gradual process of exfoliation to smooth and polish callused and very dry areas of the foot.


8. Lie: “Wear only pale enamel shades on short nails.”
Reality: In fact, short nails can carry dark shades best because the darker color helps to give the illusion of a beautiful, classic, well groomed nail.



9. Lie: “Nail enhancements (tips and/or coatings) are bad for the natural nail.”
Reality: Today’s nail enhancement technology is light, thin, safe and protective. Coatings protect the natural nail from the rigors of everyday impact. (The bonding process comes from advanced technology without the use of primers or filing damage! They grow out with the natural nail only requiring maintenance once a month.) Polish never chips and a custom-blended natural look offers great fashion freedom.


10. Lie: “Cutting cuticles makes my nails look so clean and healthy.”
Reality: Over time, cutting cuticles will lead to thickened scar-like tissue. The more you cut them, the thicker they will become. Stop the vicious cycle by using an AHA cuticle remover to gradually micro-exfoliate the non-living tissue. If used daily, this will prevent dry skin build-up and deeply hydrate the skin to keep it tight, clean and healthy.


11. Lie: “Skin that easily tans can’t successfully wear purple nail enamel.”
Reality: All skin tones can wear all colors, if the correct hue of the color is chosen. If you tan easily, this means you have a lot of yellow in your skin. Choose a lilac or purple with yellow in it. Such as “Rebel With A Cause.” If you easily burn in the sun, you have ‘cool’ or ‘blue based’ skin, choose a purple without yellow in it. Such as “Jiggy.”

Ports 1961 - Magical, Mystical, Romantic, and Scottish

later in the afternoon, I visited the backstage for PORTS1961, to talk to Laurent D for Prive salon. Laurent was incredibly gracious, as the backstage for this show was pretty hectic and there were lots of models whose hair needed to be completed for showtime. Laurent said the hair went along with the theme of the show " inspired by the mythology of Gaelic tales and romantic Scotland, through the eyes of Lassair, a fabled muse. PORTS 1962 falls under the spell of a Scottish winter, with dark moods and whimsical auras that tease the subconscious mind." The description continues later on in this blog post. But as you can see, the hair is fresh and has lots of texture at the bottom, but not at the top. This is a beautiful look for long hair, and although many of the models had long hair already, extensions were added in many cases for
more volume. Laurent used PRIVE products exclusively. The Advice Sisters hope to review products from this line in an upcoming What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column. He used a texturizing spray and a few other products *I'll add these later on. Even though he was busy, Laurent gave me a few, informal predictions about what Fall might hold for women. He told me that he thinks there will be a lot of texture for Fall, so get your styling products and tools, ready. He thinks the bob will still be big, too. For color, Laurent predicts fewer obvious highlights and mroe bold color, especially brunette and redheads.

Nails were by Creative Nail Design, using a pretty, nearly-bare, sheer pink called "Romantique."




Here, Model Skye is showing off the finished look. She really does look like she couldn't be the Faerie Queen, doesn't she? Makeup was by Isabelle LePage for MAC Cosmetics, but she had laryngitis, so Jane Mckay, the Senior Artist for Mac Cosmetics, shared the products for the show with me. I'm not going to go into all the details but I will say that this makeup concept was one of the most original I've ever seen on a runway. It started with a moistly matte face, no blush, and a berry lip stain, but it was the EYES that really were astounding. A Lip Gelee in sheer berry was brushed on the eyes, and plenty of brown mascara applied to the upper and lower lashes. Then (and here's the unique part): a clear acetate was cut to fit the lids of each model, held fast by the gelee. Brows were treated to a clear gel as well. When the models walked down the runway, the clear plastic glittered like a magical star on their lids...it was literally, breathtaking.





Here are some of my favortive looks from the show. The mystical, magical, romantic feelings was created with lightweight rustic tweeds and wool gauze and rich velvet, in forest-like,"Celtic" colors of forest green, plum blue, black, navy, and gold as predominant colors, with some red thrown in for excitement. The styles included cinched waists, and lots of capes and draping, with what appeared to be fur (I'm not sure if it was real or faux) and lots of Celtic "jewels." The collection was full of capes and some jaunty hats with fanciful "feathers" of felt and headpieces that looked like ancient wreaths a nyphh of the forest would create for a winter hat. Strong shoulders added significance to coats and capes, but not outrageousness. Sweaters had cables and tassel trims for interest, and a handbag had a beautiful, organically-inspired, wooden handle.

All in all this collection was really quite beautiful. A piece or two of PORTS 1961 in your wardrobe will make you feel beautiful and perhaps, just a bit magical, this Fall.


copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. All photos by Alison Blackman Dunham. Alll photos by Alison Blackman Dunham. For permissions, contact advicesisters(at)advicesisters(dot)net

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/11/07- Milly

Milly by Michelle Smith, launched in 2002, the Milly website calls the youthful designs: "sexy, feminine, glamorous, and sophisticated." This delightful, 40-piece collection managed to combine both wearable fashions for chic women, with a playful sexiness. The inspiration for this collection was Grey Gardens, mixed with the sassy and a bit devilish attitude of a pampered EastCoast princess, summering in Connecticut or perhaps, the Hamptons. Note the cute blue sky and green rolling hills backdrop in the photo below.

Preppy, brightly colored cardigan twinset-type sweaters were tucked into skirts and pants, making the preppy look pretty and relevant to today's woman. There were plenty of patterns in classic springtime colors such as the navy and white zig-zag prints you can see in the photo above on the right. Also lots of lime green, yellow, navy and pink.

Accessories included cute, cotton "cloche" hats tied in the back with a silky ribbon, and (less successful but obviously a Springtime trend) were turbans. The shoes, by Manolo Blahnik, were quite pretty and worked with virtually everything from swimsuits to dresses, although the high heel with the thong between the toes on such a strappy high heel might make these "sit down" shoes for most women.

Pretty, bright nails are a must-have with fashion. The models are moving on the runway, and it's often difficult to appreciate the role that manicures and pedicures play in creating an entire look. In the photo on the left, veteran manicure professional Angelina, from Creative Nail Design, told me that for Milly she was using a bright, cheerful pink called "Trophy," on both finger and toes. It simply screams "Spring! You can see how effective this color is from the closeup photo of the Manolo Blahnik sandals, above. Creative Nail Design is the nail company of the runways. We talked a bit about trend forecasting, and how the public relations team, stylists, and designers decide what's hot, and what's not, for the coming season. For details on the products used and what's going to be hot for nails, for Spring 2008, check our FEATURES page http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html in mid-September

Makeup for Milly was created by Romy Soleimani (in purple on the left) to show a woman with confidence but also with a bit of spunk. The eyes were beautiful, blending two new new MAC paint pots in lime green and a gorgeous turquoise, with creamy white, that was blended, blended and blended some more. The pink lip gloss called "Fulfilled" was shiny, but without shimmer or glitter. The foundation was moist and fresh, with just a hint of bronzer. To see the actual colors and see lots more photos of hair, makeup, nails and clothes, check out the MILLY feature --I'll post the link to it on our Features Page http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html when it's created, probably mid-month.

On the left you can see the charming hairstylist Kevin Ryan, who has formed his own company with fashion stylist Frank Rizzieri, putting their 40 years of experience together. Their new company, RSession Tools, has some unique hair styling tools, including a dual-tonged curling iron called the Nalu waver, which Kevin is using on the model on the left to create the amazing, natural looking waves seen in the ponytail on the right. By "weaving" strands of hair under and over the Nalu waver, the curls are soft and loose and look incredibly natural, as if their own hair cooperated without any intervention from mechanical devices! I hope to bring you reviews of RSession Tools in an upcoming What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column.

As I was heading for the "cheap seats" I spied my friend, fashion designer/actress Esther Nash posing for eager photographers in the front row. She posed for me as well, making sure I could see the beautiful, elegant, Judith Ripka jewelry on her wrists and fingers. Esther is not only talented and lovely, but sweet and gracious, too. If only all the front-row-ers would act like her!!!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/8/07- Twinkle by Wenlan Runway Show

For Fall 2000, Taipei native, designer Wenlan Chia launched Twinkle's first collection of cute and colorful, hand-knit sweaters and accessories, followd by a runway show at the February 2003 Gen Art Fresh Faces Fashion Show. Success quickly followed, and I remember the very first show I ever saw at my very first Fashion Week was, in fact, a Fall collection of her signature look: youthful, colorful, chunky knit sweaters (in that collection, with oversized buttons and shapes) and other accessories. The backdrop for the runway was a striking, delicate, almost tribal design in shades of brilliant blue and black (photo) that was carried through on the invitation and press information, which called the Spring 2008 collection: "playful, sportif, and full of energy--from the drama of seascapes and the beauty of nature to the razor sharp edge of graphic prints and sculpted etails, a renewed sense of easy, relaxed glamour and sophistication emerges."

Well, from my vantage point in the Bryant Park Salon, I might not have categorized the collection quite that way, but unlike many of the shows, whose clients are red-carpet focused, this collection will offer Twinkle by Wenlan fans the option to wear her designs any day of the week, for virtually any occasion.

While Twinkle's Spring 2008 collection did have some sweaters, and even some pastel sweater dresses (photo on the left) with a dominant color theme of creamy peach and creamy gray with taupe and white, there were tons of cute, sassy, for play and for day clothes, as well as some short party dresses for evening (photos below):

It's hard to see from my photos, but the models also wore Twinkle-designed Manolo Blahnick footwear featuring flats in suede and patent, tiny mini-straps, peep toes, and of course, glam high heels.

Now that fashion week is in full swing, I'm beginning to see some dominant trends appearing. As you can see from this photo, loose, long hair is coming back into fashion again, but for Spring it isn't glossy and stick-straight anymore. The runways are full of long, loose, bouncy hairstyles with texture in them in the form of loose waves. It looks fresh and modern and slightly edgy, and definitely not as "girly" as in season's past. You can re-create these looks with curling irons and crimpers, or with rag curls brushed out as Johnnie Sapong for Redken did at the Cynthia Rowley show earlier in the week. Thomas Hintermeier for Redken did this hair look for the Twinkle show. Textured hair is important for short styles as well, which I suspect we'll be seeing cropping up (pun intended) in the Spring, as well.

Many of the casual clothes were playful and loose, with cropped pants and swing-y tops, and although the fashion press is raving about the end of the balloon dress and loose clothing, I am happy that there are still options for women who don't want to scrape themselves into tight, super-body-conscious clothes (especially in hot weather, when the proper undergarmets are a must-have). Scarves seem to be a trend for next season. So far I've seen this often forgotten fashion item cropping up in shows as everything from headwraps to cover-ups, to belts, to around-the-neck accessories. At the Twinkle show, a scarf was playfully wrapped through belt loops of shorts, and tied in a bow in the back--adorable! Get out those mothballed long scarves from decades past and do the look at home, cute with jeans, for Fall! Another trend that will not die are super-short minis. These look sweet on the runway, but in reality, you couldn't bend or sit down in them. I am guessing that slightly longer lengths will make it into the stores, or the more modest of us will be wearing the minis with some sort of leggings or pants under them.


The manicures were done by Creative Nail Design. The makeup look that featured pink lips (all I could really see) was created by Charlie Green with the MAC Pro Team. I will get the details of products used and let you know how to do the look, in the more AdviceSisters detailed fashion features I'll be creating after this crazy week is over. Check the AdviceSisters FEATURES page at: http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html in mid-September, where I will be listing all the Fashion Week Spring 2008 features as they are posted.

*all text and photos by Alison Blackman Dunham -- copyright © 2007 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® No portion of this blog or any advicesisters content, including illustrations, may be copied or used in any without written permission. Permissions: advicesisters@advicesisters.net. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark.