Each season when I'm reporting backstage during NY Fashion Week I always take a moment to look around, take in all the craziness and remind myself how blessed I am to be there. Funny thing is, the most sought out celebrity hairstylist, Ted Gibson, doesn't take the scene for granted either. As someone who understands hair, is a great listener, has experience in editorial, celebrity and runway, my friend Ted also turned his passion into his career. It's no wonder why designers like Rachel Roy always partner with him. From Rachel Roy's hair trial to her presentation, Ted gave me the scoop on how the creative process went down.
"It takes a village," Ted said right off the bat. Yesterday was Rachel Roy's Fall 2013 digital presentation, which streamed live on her Facebook page. Before the presentation on Friday, Roy's creative team including Stylist, Julia von Boehm (every designer uses a stylist to help pull looks together with accessories and details), Ted and Bobbi Brown (on makeup) all met to brainstorm and come up with the look.
"The great thing about Rachel is that she knows exactly who the girl is that she's trying to portray," explains Ted. "I listen and am always focused on her direction so she values my opinion."
After shooting around ideas and making sure his thoughts worked cohesively with Bobbi's, the two artists got to work and produce a finished look for Rachel to sign off on. Most of the time for trials like these hairstylists and makeup artists are working on fit models, because the models for the show aren't even cast yet. Yes, this is four days before.
"I really wanted the hair to be able to reflect an effortless chic style, but still make a statement," Ted stated.
Yesterday was show day. Ted and the team began working on the models promptly at 7:30am. Since it was a presentation there were only three, but that didn't mean there was any less effort put in. "The collection was all about refined opulence," he explains. With lots of texturized fabrics, fake fur and embroidered pantsuits, he didn't want the hair to be too overdone and described the look as if "the models were out all night and just showed up to the presentation."
Texture. Texture. Texture. Believe it or not no curling iron was used. He took the hair in sections and sprayed it from midlength to the ends with Build It Blow Drying Agent then twirled each section in opposite ways (forward and back) before drying. Once dry, he created three loose braids, leaving the ends out so they didn't have as much texture, and left them in as the models got their makeup done. Afterwards, he took them out and refined the waves with his hands.
"A girl from downtown can wear it and so can a girl from uptown," he explained. The look was accessible just like Rachel's collection. Job well done.
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The hair and makeup for the Elie Tahari fall 2011 show was soft and innocent, and I couldn’t help but want to emulate it myself! 
Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow). She made a cupid’s bow by taking the burnt red color “Slopes” and pressing it in the center of the lip to give a doll-like effect. A very sheer blush “Pale Pink” was put on cheeks for a matte finish—and this shade works great on all skin tones. She wanted that “no brows” look as well.
Ever since I can remember I have been in love with Tibi dresses. I could barely wait to cover backstage at Tibi’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection this season. Every fashionista knows their bright colors and patterns already make a fashion statement. To accompany the designs, stylist chose natural hair, makeup, and nails to keep the models looking glamorous, but allowing the clothes to take center stage. With expertise advice from the pros, you will soon be able to get the look of the runway in a few easy steps.
Makeup was done by the one and only Bobbi Brown. "I love doing makeup for the clothes that I love," she remarked. Her inspiration for this season was for it to be a “pretty season,” wanting every woman in the audience to want the look of the models. Bobbi created a radiant face that is finished in a natural way. One standout feature was the cheeks. By using Bobbi Brown’s Highlighter Pen in Pink all over the cheek instead of a highlighter creates a softer look. The eyes were magnificent; Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel eyeliner was used in black ink, and her Kohl Eyeliner, a shadow liner in plum orchid was used depending on the model’s skin color and eye shape. Lots of mascara was used to give definition to the lashes. The lips had a nice natural lip color that was very settle.
If you could have a dream team of primpers who would they be?
My first trip to Fashion Week's new home at Lincoln Center was for the Farah Angsana show. Skeptical at first, I felt more welcomed than I thought I would as I pulled up in a cab on the upper west side to fashionistas gathering around the fountain. It felt like home. Bye, bye Bryant Park, everyone was here.
Nineteen models were made up with soft metallic lids and romantic curls. "Farah's obsessed with J.Lo," commented Gregg Hubbard the lead makeup artist for Cristo. "Everything needs to be about the J.Lo glow!" And in a way, it was – the eyes at least. The bronzed eye was created with Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow in Gold Stone, which is a great base and layerable as a shadow. The lip? A coral gloss.
Dashing Diva's lead manicurist Pattie Yankee did full mani's and pedi's on the ladies with No More Alimony, a shiny nude metallic shade. One model fell asleep while getting her hair done at the same time of her mani and pedi!
