If there is a Karl Lagerfeld of the American fashion scene, it's Jason Wu. Not even the sleet, snow, hail and freezing rain could keep A-listers from flocking to Wu's fall 2013 show in New York City.
Having garnered a CFDA award and dressed First Lady Michelle Obama for the Inaugural Ball twice, it is easy to say that Wu is a fashion darling that's here to stay. Every big name model was in attendance (Chanel Iman, Jessica Stam and Hanne Gaby Odiele, just to name a few), while the pressed streamed in one after another. No one was surprised that Wu teamed up with Lancôme for the makeup look this season (the beauty brand just announced a collaboration with the designer on a limited-edition cosmetics collection set to hit stores this September), but some of Wu's other decisions this year did throw us for a loop.
Makeup artist Diane Kendal held down the fort backstage, creating stunning looks on all 43 models. The girls wore cat-eye makeup paired with muted cheeks and lips (Rosebud rose lip balm to be exact!). She told us that Wu was so passionate about this particular shade of indigo, that he wanted to use it in on the eyes as well. Kendal broke down the beauty steps for us: "We're first lining the eye with a purple eye liner, and then placing the pigment all over the lid. On top of that, we are using a purple sheen powder -- just in the center -- to give a little pop of the color. To finish, we are lining the eye with a thin black strip very close to the lashes. We're also brushing the eyebrows and extending them slightly." When asked about the models' dewy skin, she said that they were just using a "beautiful, light coverage foundation" and a bit of contouring.
Although the hairstyle at Jason Wu looked effortless, it took quite a while to perfect (and we can attest to this statement, as we stood by and watched the almost 45-minute process on Lindsay Wixson). The updo created by stylist Odile Gilbert, called for a sleek middle part and lots of shine (with the help of Kérastase Elixir Ultime). The hair was pulled back into a chignon and secured with two barrettes at the back to create a stark line and add a graphic element.
The nails, which were also perfected by Lancôme, were quite demure. Since the makeup involved a strong color, hands and feet were kept simple with Jolis Matins (a soft pink shade). The light nail polish color gave the girl's a clean look and was a welcome change from the darker shades we traditionally see in the fall collections.
Get more access at Jason Wu's fall 2013 show in our slideshow below. And see all of our New York Fashion Week coverage here.
Jason Wu Fall 2013 Show
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