MONIKA CHIANG S/S 2013

By: Alexis Schroeder
Images by: Rebekah Schott

Just as soon as you think that you should put your running shoes on, designer, Monika Chiang expertly manages to combine the collection’s classic athletic style with luxe fabrications. Discovering inspiration from a recent trip to South Africa, Ms. Chiang found the high energy and beauty she experienced there a point of reference for her designs.

Certainly translating athleticism into her design aesthetic, she paired a parachute silk track pant in mango with a georgette wrap blouse in ivory and a leather moto jacket in black.  She boldly drapes her models in vibrant colors for a flirtatious ensemble.  Monika Chiang’s eclectic collection made for an exciting release.

The color palette consisted of mango, leather blacks, navy, ivory, emerald, and burnt yellows.  Textures of leather, silk, watersnake skin, and suede in dramatic proportions and trims prepared the models for the rugged terrain of South Africa.  As you traverse through the South African jungles, Ms. Chiang prepared you with an outfit for every occasion. From safari embellished yoke dresses to an out of Africa embellished leather pencil skirt in ivory to straw baseball hats and studded leather bras, this designer has already packed your bag for this excursion.

Each outfit was matched with killer high-heeled strappy sandals securing you in for the trek across Cape Town.

Monika Chiang – where your energetic athletic aesthetic infuses with jungle sexiness.

 

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All Aboard the Beauty Bus with Hair Room Service!

By: Devin Cole

Beauty Bus is the brainchild of Michael Dueñas, the founder of Hair Room Service. Hair Room service is a mobile salon that comes directly to homes or offices for special events.  They offer hair, makeup, nail, and wardrobe styling services.   The hair products that the stylists used in the Beauty Bus were by Schwarzkopf Professional and manicures were provided outside by SinfulColors.

SinfulColors nail polish comes in 300 different shades and can be purchased at Duane Reade for only $1.99! Shari Manon from Style Network went crazy for their new colors for fall. I’m a sucker for bold colors so I went with the “Rise and Shine” shade from their traditional collection.

Since I usually do the same few looks with my makeup I decided to get a mini makeover on the Beauty Bus to add some new tricks to my repertoire.

 

 Before                                                             After!

                                

• Apply the black Jumbo Pencil Liner (it doesn’t have to be perfect!).

• From the Smoky Look Kit , dip a pencil brush into the slate grey color and blend out the liner.

• Apply plum shadow to the eye with a small dense shadow brush to pack on the color.

• Switch to a tapered blending brush and blend, blend, blend until you can’t blend anymore!

• Add a highlight to brow bone with the “Sand” blush.  Hint: the key to a perfect smoky eye is not the colors you use but the order in which you use them!

• Fill in the eyebrows with a very waxy eyebrow pencil, the waxier the better so that the color sticks to the hair and not your skin for a more natural look. Apply with a feathering motion. With the brush on the other end of the pencil, finish by combing out the eyebrows.

• The smoky eye tends to get a little messy so clean up the area around the eye with NYX Eye Makeup Remover.  Hint: always do the eyes first when you are creating this look so you won’t wipe off your foundation during this step.

• Use NYX HD Photogenic Concealer under the eye and finish with eyeliner in “Purple” on the lower lid.

The Toned-Down Lips:

They toned down my bright lipstick with the Jumbo Lip Pencil in “Pecan”. Most women don’t think about lighten their lip shade with another product but it can be done! Just make sure that the color you use is a lighter version of your original color (my original color was “Berlin” by Kat von D).

The Skin:
NYX HD Photogenic Concealer set with a translucent powder.  The Jumbo Lip Pencil in “Pecan” doubled as blush when applied with a brush.

All of my makeup was compliments of NYX Cosmetics which will be coming soon to a Ricky’s near you!

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Noon by Noor S/S 2013

By: Inna Bosenko
Images by: Rebekah Schott

It was all about attention grabbing color and lighter than air silk at the Noon by Noor Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show. Designs were elegant, refined, and purportedly intended to be worn at sophisticated evening gatherings on hot summer nights. Accessories were kept minimal down to only bracelets not taking attention away from sparkle in the heel or the brightness of fabrics.

The color palette reminded me of a beautiful summer sunset full of hot pinks, tangerine, shades of ecru, gorgeous abstract patterns of aqua, white and gold. An element of luxury was added with golden glittery fabrics and light olive green shades. Some of my favorite pieces of the collection were the structured jackets and vests done in bright colors and lustrous sequins to exude femininity despite its tough silhouette. The line was also littered with accentuated shoulders with feathers, embroidered designs or raised shapes.

The closing look was absolutely stunning: a salmon pink loose shape of a dress cinched at the waist with a high sexy slit showing off legs and a long flowing trail in the back. I couldn’t help but be amazed over how a look so simple and effortless can be so undeniably breathtaking. Having no prior knowledge of the brand, I caught myself backstage at another show this same day describing Noon by Noor as a personal happy discovery of this Spring/Summer 2013 season.

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