Backstage Hairstyle Tips from Derek Lam's NYFW 2015 Show

Classic pony as seen in Derek Lam's NYFW 2015 Show at 545 W. 22nd Street. 

Designer Derek Lam had his show over the weekend on Sunday downtown at 545 West 22nd Street. Vera Wang, who I've met and spoke with in person, will be hosting her show in the same location on Tuesday February 17th.

I often get backstage access pass offers to see what products the hairstylists are using for the shows. When I did runway work, we would have a signature hairstyle for the show. The stylists have all sorts of tricks in their bag to help the models achieve that flawless hairstyle that enhances the designer's line. They want you to see the clothes so a neat, pulled back low ponytail is really one of the most polished, classic looks on the runway.


Here's how to pull this look off and what you will need:

Hair Accessories: custom-made leather holders
You can find these classic pony tail holders at most drugstores. Made of Leather, they secure with a little dowel that threads though the two holes in the holder.

Hair Mousse
I'm not a fan of mousse in general but some styles require a bit of definition and structure. I've used Tresemme Extra Firm Control. It offers all day control with humidity resistance. A little goes a long way and I use the smallest amount possible, about a quarter size puff.

Hair Spray
Just like mousse, hair spray is also pretty low on my list of hair care products. I don't like crunchy textures or the build-up often associated with heavy use of these products.
So when I do use hairspray, I've used Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist. According to the label it: "Creates touchable control for gorgeous bounce and style that lasts." It really is light and shampoos out very easily. My stylist, Ray uses just a spritz of hair spray to keep my hair soft and touchable.

My stylist Ray - Christo Fifth Avenue

My Favorite Hair Styling Tools
I use only 100% boar bristle brushes for styling and smoothing my long hair. They resist static and cause the hair cuticle to lay flat to better reflect light thus increasing shine. Kent Brushes from England are some of the best. I also like my Madora Rake Combs which are very smooth and hand polished. They resist snagging and breaking your hair and are excellent for tangles.
Both are available at the Original George Michael of Madison Avenue Salon, 422 Madison Avenue New York City, NY 10017
Call (212) 752-1177 or visit online at Madora Long Hair Heaven

Madora Pocket and Vanity Rake Combs and Boar Bristle Styling Brush

Prior to this the only PHYTO product I've tried was their Phyto 9 Phytologie Daily Ultra Moisturizing Cream with Macadamia Oil. Ahead of its time, you now see a LOT of hair care products with this precious nut oil.
I've also personally tried these new products,namely the Mousse Intense Volume and Phytolaque Soie Hair Spray with Silk Proteins and like them very much. Just what you'd expect from a Parisian hair care line used by the professionals.

Derek Lam's FW2015 Show

Derek Lam NYFW “Get the Look” tips from Orlando Pita for PHYTO

INSPIRATION: 

Classic American New York woman. Sportswear with a New York edge. Super contemporary.

THE LOOK:

The look is a clean, graphic ponytail with a sharp center part.

GET THE LOOK:

·         Blow dry hair with PHYTO Phytovolume Actif or PHYTO Intense Volume Mousse, depending upon the hair type. 

·         Pull back hair into a pony tail at the nape of the neck.

·         Once the hair is pulled back, secure it with custom-made leather holders.

·         Finish the look by spraying with PHYTO Phytolaque Soie Hairspray.

Stylist Orlando Pita finishing this polished low pony look with hairspray.

Photos by Erin Baiano for PHYTO Hair Care

Mother's Day Books: MBFW Look Book, Decades of Hats & Downton Abbey Cookbook

Keepsake books on fashion and cuisine Mom (or you) will treasure!

If you missed Spring 2014 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC -  last fall, here is an amazing consolation prize: The SFP Lookbook - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Collections New York.(Schiffer Publishing)

Burberry Spring 2014

With this large coffee table book, you can see the runway unfold right before your eyes with your favorite fashion designers from the S/S 2014 shows. All of the top designers and fashion houses are there including two whom I've met through our shared work with the Ice Theatre of New York: Vera Wang and Nichole Miller.

The Vera Wang Spring 2014 show.

384 full color pages allow you to relive the shows with designers like: Herve Leger, Badgley Mischka, Lacoste, Diesel Black Gold, Tory Burch, Zac Posen as well as up an coming designers from the Academy of Art University & Project Runway to name only a few.

Nichole Miller designed these gowns for the ITNY ice show.

 This is a keepsake treasure that you can use now to build your spring-summer outfits. Having a detailed look-book like this allows you to see how to include updated elements from the runway shows to your own wardrobe. Simply exquisite! Edited by Jessie Marth for Schiffer Fashion Press, copyright 2014 or visit SchifferBooks.com online.

Decades of Hats 1900s to the 1970's by Sue Nightingale (Schiffer Publishing)
This VERY entertaining yet informative book takes you right through the "Flapper Era" with all sorts of stops along the way. The book's plates show advertisements for everything from hair extensions, (yes they sold them then too), to hats which look quite similar to those worn by the Duchess of Cambridge (aka Princess Kate) today. In fact if you didn't know better, you'd think Philip Treacy was designing back then. Truth is, up until the late 1960's, hats and gloves were quite common place for going out in public even in America. Queen Elizabeth's Queen Mum never felt "dressed" going out without one of her signature soft floppy brims. 

Todd Smith & Co Hats from circa 1904

Some of my favorite hats in this book are from 1920 - 1929 as many of them have not changed very much down to this day.  The main thing I would note is that the hats are far more ornate than what we would see today but that may also be due to changing styles and availability of raw materials, (can you say "Ostrich Feathers?).

Contemporary felt cap once called a "Clara Bow Hat"

Clara Bow Hat - Similar to what I'm wearing in the photo above was once called the Clara Bow Hat - "Designed for and Posed by the Famous Paramount Picture Star".  During the Roaring 20's, these wool felt hats were tricked out with grosgrain ribbon, flowers, buckles, bows and ostrich feathers. Listed in the Sears Roebuck and Co. catalog for about $2.25!
Historically fashionable, Decades of Hats is gorgeous and shows nothing is new under the sun. See more titles at SchifferBooks.com

Edwardian Cooking: The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook by Larry Edwards
80 authentic recipes from the more upper crust Edwardian kitchens. Recipes for your High Tea, savory delicacies such as Baked Stuffed Mushrooms and dinner ideas. Really everything from soup to nuts! My family has roots in the British Isles (Scotland included) and many of the recipes are quite familiar such as Queen Victoria Rice Pudding. Very similar to my Grandmother's recipe! If you are even remotely English, these recipes will sound very familiar and like true British cuisine, require a limited amount of simple ingredients. Huzzah!

 
Edwardian Cooking offers a rare glimpse into the cooking styles and tastes of the Downton Abbey era, (1901-1919) when there was a fork and utensil for everything...pickle fork, herring tongs, oyster dish. Still the book offers contemporary and much less fussy cooking instructions. I have antique cookbooks from that era and they are so convoluted and difficult to follow. Not so with this cookbook. Now I may not agree with the olive oil in the Abbey Banana Walnut Bread recipe but it's not hard to swap out ingredients that you prefer or have available. Elegant Edwardian Meals in 168 easy to follow pages. Available online from Arcade Publishing.

Downton Abbey buttery Dinner Biscuits

 
Books c/o Schiffer and Arcade Publishing respectively.

ITNY 2012 Annual Benefit Gala Event Honors Dwyer

Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer performed this lovely number choreographed by Karen Kresge & Lisa Navarro as the 2012 Ice Theatre of New York Honoree.

 

Ice Theatre of New York's 2012 annual Benefit Gala and Performance honored America's most beloved ice show star, Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer on Monday, October 22nd, 2012.  Mr. Dwyer also holds the Guinness World Record of the longest performing show skater in the world and was awarded a commemorative plaque at the end of his inspiring performance.

L to R Linda Fratianne, Dorthy Hamill, Sarah Hughes, Richard Dwyer, Debbie Gordon & Aja Zanova. Linda & Dorothy are wearing gowns created and donated by designer, Nicole Miller of  NYC.

This year's Ice Angel Award went to ITNY trustee, volunteer, and supporter, Debbie Gordon.  Debbie thanked her beloved husband for supporting her efforts and accepted her award during the benefit dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant on Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, NYC.

Author & Editor Dr. M and Gina Magda at the cocktail party & benefit dinner held at the Lighthouse Restaurant, Chelsea Piers.

The Ice Theatre of New York's 2012 Arts & Business Partnership Award goes to Ice Skating Institute.


The the curtain went up at exactly 7 pm on the performance at Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers featuring Richard Dwyer and his Celebrity Dwyer Girls: Tai Babilonia, Dorothy Hamill, Linda Fratianne and JoJo Starbuck. Ryan Bradley, the 2011 US Men's Champion, was their guest performer.
  
Ice Theatre of New York performed selected pieces from its repertory, including the world premiere of a piece inspired by the music from Oscar-winning movie "The Artist", choreographed by Ice Theatre's Artistic Director Douglas Webster. Other repertory on the program are a re-stagings of "Inclusions" choreographed by Alberto Del Saz and "Transitions" by Douglas Webster. Some of the featured performers in the Ice Theatre repertory included Kim Navarro & Brent Bommentre, Sinead & John Kerr, Elisa Angeli, Joel Dear, Nicole Bobek, Ryan Bradley and Tyrrell Gene.
 

Past honoree, Dorothy Hamill (far left) poses with Richard Dwyer and Guests at the cocktail party and dinner following his performance.

Table settings for the Gala Benefit Dinner

This year we are also honoring the ISI, Ice Skating Institute, for their pioneering programming of tests and competitions from tot level through adult recreational skaters.  They were the first to structure competition to provide encouragement and reward participation. The ISI emphasizes en"joy"ment in skating performance; which is why they pair fittingly with our Honoree Richard Dwyer and with Ice Theatre of New York's mission.
   

The evening's MC , the ever effervescent Michael Buckley and Dr. M enjoyed Cocktails, auction, dinner and award ceremony at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers immediately after the performance (about 8:15PM)

  

ITNY 25th Anniversary Gala Honors Dorothy Hamill VIDEO

Dorothy's timeless performance to Moon River, (Henry Mancini) as honoree of the Ice Theatre of New York's 25th Anniversary Gala! This special performance took place on Monday night, October 25th, 2010 at the Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers. Watch for the personal interview with Ms. Hamill at the cocktail reception which followed.

The Ice Theatre of New York pulled out all the stops for their 25th Anniversary Benefit Gala this year. This year's honoree, Olympic Gold Medalist, Dorothy Hamill was joined on the ice by skating greats: Two time Olympian Johnny Weir, 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes and two time Olympian JoJo Starbuck. This was a sold out event with more than 750 in attendance. ITNY's founder, Moira North, skating legend Dick Button and fashion designer Vera Wang came on the ice to present Dorothy with her award for the evening. (Pictured here is a unique jewelry piece designed & donated by Vera Wang for the Silent Auction)

The cocktail reception which followed was hosted by the Lighthouse Restaurant on Pier 61. Vera Wang was on the scene first so I enjoyed speaking with her briefly between photos. Dick Button who is a fixture and main supporter of the ITNY stopped by to say "hello" with former honoree, Aja Zanova of Prague, Czechoslovakia. Later came Johnny Weir, Sarah Hughes and Moira North who posed for photos and interviews with Dorothy (see my interview with Dorothy at the end of her skating performance in the video above).

The Ice Theatre of New York is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and is widely known as the Nation's Premier Ice Dance Company. The ITNY's community outreach program aimed at inner city children offers inclusion rather than exclusion to those seeking to be part of what is now called "theatre on ice". As one of the founding skaters in Ice Capades, Hamill has had four ABC television skating specials in her honor and worked with disadvantaged children in Harlem. Hamill is a most a fitting candidate for this distinction. ITNY's past honorees I have covered include, Moira North, Aja Zanova, Nancy Kerrigan and Paul Wylie.

A Blast from the ITNY Past:
Dick Button and Dr. M. enjoying the reception at the 2006 Ice Theatre of New York Gala honoring Czechoslovakian skater Aja Zanova.
Notice all the fur I'm wearing. It was a LOT colder in October back in "those days"!

ITNY 25th Anniversary Gala Honors Dorothy Hamill

The Ice Theatre of New York will host their 25th Anniversary Gala honoring Olympic Gold Medalist, Dorothy Hamill on Monday, October 25th, 2010. Known as the innovator of the "Hamill Camel" Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and remains a strong inspiration for all cancer survivors.

Come celebrate her life and achievements at this festive show and reception! The event will feature a special ITNY skating performance at the Sky Rink on Chelsea Piers, (curtain goes up at 7 pm), followed by a cocktail reception and dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant. Dick Button, Paul Wylie & Vera Wang! Details and tickets, visit The Ice Theatre of New York's Gala Invitation