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Tuesday, March 02, 2010
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.
I use provided samples for most of my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html
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 showlast 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!!!!
Alison Blackman Dunham, aka. "Advice Sister Alison, " is a beauty, lifestyles and advice expert. "The Advice Sisters®" are credited with bringing the advice genre online more than 16 years ago. The Advice Sisters online publications include a web site, a blog, bulletin boards, and a by-subscription newsletter. Please visit the Advice Sisters Web Site as well as this blog, and check out our latest features!
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.
