Alexander Wang has proven himself year after year as a designer, sending out collections with a strong point of view and even stronger hair and makeup. His spring 2013 show featured models wearing electrical tape down their center hair part, and this season he delivered again with cognac-colored ponytails inspired by model Irina Kravchenko's fiery red locks.
Redken's mane man Guido Palau explained that Wang wanted to do a "ponytail -- very simple, but very dramatic because of the swatch of color in the back. It doesn't have any reference to any period, though slightly futuristic." The slicked-back hairdo, which he created using Redken Hardwear Gel, was meant to take personality away from the girls and their faces. He attached cognac hair extensions to a low ponytail. To hide the elastic, Palau soaked a strand of hair in strong hold hairspray and wrapped it around, securing with a bobby pin.
As for the makeup, perfected by Diane Kendal for Nars, the look was simple, yet strong. The focus was on the eyes as Wang wanted to use a wash of grey eyeshadow to create a hooded effect and black eyeliner to generate shadow on the face. Cheeks and lips were kept neutral in Bianca Pure Sheer Lip Treatment and Penny Lane Cream Blush. To make sure the girls had flawless skin, Kendal spritzed on rosewater spray before she applied the makeup.
The final touches came with the sandstone-inspired nail art. Wang asked for an "androgynous looking nail, something that was an enigma ... very quiet, but still strong and modern." With that description, CND co-founder Jan Arnold painted on a demure nail color with a fan brush. Once the top coat dried, Arnold removed shine using a glossing buffer file to give the manicure its gritty aesthetic.
Get more backstage beauty access at Alexander Wang's fall 2013 show in our slideshow below. And see all of our New York Fashion Week coverage here.
Backstage Beauty: Alexander Wang Fall 2013
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