Maria Maria Maria! [Sharapova] – That Is, Styled by Leonard Zagami For NYFW

STORY, Anthony Palermo

Preface,by Vivian Kelly

I’ve always admired  gorgeous women with long blonde locks since I was 5 years old, starting with Goldilocks and  later, Princess Aurora, Farrah Fawcett Majors, Marilyn Monroe and more recently, Blake Lively and Maria Sharapova. Family friend, William, then a Dutch University Student, and now a KLM pilot, jokingly showed me an image of Maria Sharapova on his iphone, casually calling her “my girlfriend” and then laughing when I believed him – for a second.

Apparently, we weren’t the only ones to think Maria was something really special.

This season, at NYFW, Maria was front row at some of New York’s biggest shows. Below, Anthony Palermo, tells us how his ALS partner, Leonard Zagami, created some fresh looks for the gorgeous tennis star. I’ve featured the one she sported at the Marc Jacobs show.

And, now… here’s Anthony!

“Mercedes Benz Fashion week is always filled with fabulous people. These Fall RTW 2012 collections were more about the who’s who in the front row. One of our all time favorites , Maria Sharapova , knows how to make an entrance and cause a frenzy on the court, but the real commotion starts when she is spotted at all the hottest shows!  Celebrity make up artist  and  friend of the AnthonyLeonard Salon ,  Andie Markoe -Byrne, teamed up with  Leonard Zagami, Creative Director of ALS,  to complete Maria ’s looks for the shows.

Read on as Leonard explains look 1 of the 3 looks he gave the grand slammer for this very fashionable NYC Week!

AT Marc Jacobs:

Maria , seen here with famed photographer  Patrick Demarchelier and his wife Mia , had a slightly pinned back side part . “I used Super Shine Cream by Oribe   to get a sleek look with out it being too overdone” says Zagami. ” I also used a Kent Brush ( for fine hair) to help smooth down fly-aways”. Maria usually  parts her hair in the middle so this was a great change for her!

To read and see all 3, go to anthonyleonardsalonblog. There, you’ll find out how Leonard styled her for her appearances at Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta. If you’re sitting next to Anna [Wintour], you had BETTER be on your game! Thanks to Leonard, Maria looked every bit the star she is.

Hair Heaven – Leonard Zagami’s “Camelot at Dawn” Coupe

Text, Vivian Kelly

Anne Garside’s coffee table book, Camelot at Dawn delivered a sorely needed fashion moment in the midst of the disheartening 8 day power outage. The photos shot by Orlando Suero, were ones I’d never seen before.

 

Most of the photos we see of Jacqueline Kennedy are of her as as the First Lady or in her later incarnation as the mysterious “Jackie O”, dodging paparazzo  Ron Gallela.

The images of  Jacqueline Kennedy and her husband, shot in May 1954, in Georgetown, have that “easy” American style that put US fashion designers on the map. I related to Jackie’s khaki capris, striped shirt and flats, because that’s my daily uniform, but that hair! The short wavy haircut she had combined with bubblegum pearl necklaces and large gold clip earrings got my heart racing.  Like turned to love when I got to the image of her lighting the candles for her first formal dinner party. The white strapless evening gown was stunning combined with the famous three strand pearl necklace and the haircut. I could get the necklace at Carolee but the hair – not so easy.

Jackie, before her first formal dinner party, Georgetown, 1954. Photo by Orlando Suero.

The only two guys who would really “get” this obsession were Anthony Palermo and Leonard Zagami. Off to New York I went to go show them the book and hopefully to walk out with a modern day version of this cut. If you’re not familiar with their work, have a look at their blog, and you’ll see what I mean by “editorial”.

While sitting in Leonard’s chair, getting my so-so short coupe transformed into a modern day version of Jackie Kennedy’s 1954 cut, Anthony [Leonard] came by to chat in between a barrage of color clients. I come to A-L for the outstanding hair services but even more so for their company; we share a mutual passion for hair that can transform you and can make you feel like your favorite fashion icon.

and Leonard [right], my go-to editorial hair gurus”]

Anthony [left

“Have you seen the Vogue covers book” asked Anthony. “Uh, no…” I confessed, feeling decidedly out of it but happy I had something new to get inspired about, while getting the haircut of my dreams. An added bonus was that Leonard told me about his Uncle, Salvatore Zagami, a noted sculptor/artist who brought works from his personal collection for the Salon’s FNO party back in September. Luckily for me, he left some of them in the salon and I enjoyed them as Leonard worked on my hair.

A Salvatore Zagami Sculpture, photographed by Anthony Palermo.

Considering my hair is finer than Jackie’s the cut I walked out with was as close as I could get. Leonard suggested playing with a strong mousse, such as Nexxus Mouse Plus Volumizing Styler. The key was to scrunch my hair to create the waves I wanted. Perfect, AND easy.

Leonard's modern version of Jackie Kennedy's 1954 Hairdo

Hair is like fashion. As with fashion, as soon as a collection is done, the question  ”what’s next?” arises. As I got up, I asked Anthony about “the next step. Maybe the Lady Diana cut?” His eyes lit up and he said, “and maybe blonde too?”

Princess Diana's Short Haircut

 

Over the Holidays, we’re going to Foxwoods. While the others at the poker tables, I’ll be at the Lady Diana Retrospective, studying her hair and style. On a world tour, the exhibition “Diana, A Celebration” stops Sept. 16 through Jan. 15 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. Graeme Murtonand Nick Grossmark, art handlers for the Althorp Estate in England,  installed the iconic gown worn by Diana at her 1981 wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales.

Art handlers Nick Grossmark (black gloves) and Graeme Murton (white gloves) travel to each tour stop for "Diana, A Celebration," responsible for setting up the exhibition (wearing gloves to prevent damage). The duo are standing next to Diana's iconic ivory silk and lace wedding gown.

After that experience, I’ll undoubtedly have  a Lady Di moment and head back to the A-L Salon to make my vision a reality, with a lot of help from my friends there.

Theadora Brack’s Postcard From Reno

Headed out west for your holiday? Take heed! The desert air is dry, so to help you cope, here are a few beauty tips from Brian Jensen, a.k.a. “The Best Hair Stylist in Reno” (I’m not making that up; he won the award!).

From Theadora Brack in Reno

Faster than a card shark’s hand in Reno, it took just one hour for the dry desert air to wreck havoc on my tresses and skin, too. A sight making for sore eyes, my red haired locks suddenly went wickedly limp, dry and straighter than a full poker flush. While the parched skin was easy to fix with gobs of moisturizer, I still needed SOS for my newly-acquired “poor little scarecrow” look. Truth be old, I was in dire need of a Southwest hair specialist. And lickety-split.

So what to do? 

A miracle

Donning my Nancy Drew thinking cap, I quickly roamed the Internet and, thanks to a last-minute cancelation, I soon scored a rendezvous with the “Best Hair Stylist in Reno” at the “Best Hair Shop in Reno.” Ring-a-ding-ding! Haircuts are always a gamble, but I hit the jackpot with stylist Brian Jensen at the hip Salon 7, located just ten blocks from the main strip of in Reno. (As you make your way to the shop, get an eyeful of the vintage neon casino and hotel signs!)

The Fabulous Dean Martin of the Legendary Brat Pack

From floor to ceiling, the funky shop is decked out in eclectic art and retro industrial equipment, left over from its former life as a warehouse. It also boasts a gift shop. More to the point, Brian is an artist, and the cuts are affordable, starting at $35. Now, ain’t that a kick in the head?

Inside Salon 7

Giddy-up

Rocking a 1950s vibe, Brian resembles the young Brian Setzer of Stray Cats fame. Charming and charismatic, he’s got swagger and a witty gift of gab. Brian minced no words when I quizzed him about the rumored return of the bobbed hair do. “It’s out. Of course the Sassoon cut won’t go out of style, but now it’s softer. Natural-looking, low maintenance hairstyles are hot. Just accepting and working with whatever God dealt you is where it’s at. That and a little Sea Spray!” he added with a wink. And that’s when he introduced me to my new BFF: Redken’s Radiant Sea Spray. There’s an old running joke that Nevada is like “ten thousand miles of beach with no ocean” but here was the solution!

Brian’s Tips

“Close your eyes,” Brian said, as he pumped up my volume. I was an avid listener. “Each time you move or touch your hair, this will take you to the sea. It’s got soy, sea algae and aloe vera. It’s smells like the beach whenever you touch your hair, and it’s silicone free. Desert air dries out your hair, but if you use too much moisturizer your hair can fall flat. It’s okay to use oil-free shine and anti-frizzy spritzers, but you have to apply them after the styling. Timing is everything!” Brian also recommended getting trims every four to six weeks.

Leaving Reno

As I strolled back to my hotel after getting the cut I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a storefront window and discovered a newly confident, courageous pioneer stride in my step. My whole outlook had changed, along with my hair. The cut was flawless, and the Sea Spray had brought back the shine, moisture and volume. “Baby, you’re going to break some hearts,” a man shouted from a passing eighteen-wheeler truck. Cost of the new hairdo, along with a take-home bottle of Redken’s little miracle? $50. And—unlike the merciless slot machines—worth every lost penny.

Getting there

Welcome to Salon 7!

7 Salon

495 Morrill Avenue

Reno, Nevada

775.786.7770

About Theadora Brack -

Theadora Brack is the Paris Correspondent with the travel website, Eurocheapo.com. Trekking to Paris in the near future? Check out the site for tips. Theadora’s bi-weekly column on Paris covers art, architecture, fashion, cuisine and shopping, always served up with a side of history.

Pippa Middleton – the New Accidental Celebrity: Pondering Celeb Privacy and Examining her Style

Text, Vivian Kelly

We’re all weary of THE ROYAL WEDDING. Yes, Kate Middleton looked fantastic in Sarah Burton’s Grace Kelly inspired gown. Yes, the wedding was everything and more than we’d anticipated. Yes, I got up at 3:30a.m. and watched it live. As a die hard fashionista, how could I not?

So far, no surprises here.

What WAS surprising was the furor over Kate’s baby sister, Pippa. One of my BFF’s Theadora Brack, Paris Editor for EuroCheapo did not like the dress. The problem? The crease in the back.

We all did agree that the hair was nice and suitable and natural for a woman her age.

I liked her hair at the Wedding and below, Kevin Manuso gives the 1-2-3 of how to do this style at home.

She looks nice by day,her clothing style,  is young and casual – DVF, and I think, Ralph Lauren for the jeans and pink blazer as seen in images I found on The Fashion Spot.  When it comes to choosing between her and her older sis, I’d go with the Duchess, style-wise.

Once we turned -off the TV mid-way through the wedding, I didn’t really think about Pippa anymore other than to ask new friend, actor/director Jonny Elkes, how you pronounced her name and what he, an Englishman, thought of the whole Royal Wedding hysteria. After that, I took a break from Royal anything until I read an email of a post one of my favorite sites, Scallywag and Vagabond regarding the topless shots of Pippa taken on vacation.

It sound ridiculous, but I actually mulled this around in my mind for a while.

Two leading questions persisted:

1. She’s enjoying the benes of being “a public figure”. As such, does she have any rights regarding her “privacy”? Most US-based celebs have resigned to the answer being, “NO”. As such, they take pains (for the most part) to fly under the radar.

Jackie O famously fought off her most famous “stalker” – Paparazzi, Ron Galella and actually took him to court over it. She was photographed buck naked, which is something to get upset about. Jackie, rode it out, fabulously, cool as a cucumber.

TheFE’s Cutting Edge Pippa Middleton Style

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Brava!

Pippa’s suing but really – in these shots she’s in  an ocean and they were taken BEFORE Kate was for sure going to marry Wills and become Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

So, does she get to keep her privacy while in a public space or does Pippa now belong to the public?

What do you think? I’d like to know!

ENDNOTES & STYLING INFO

**If you’d like to have a go at Pippa’s hairstyle as she wore it to The Royal Wedding, here is the 1-2-3 how-to, courtesy of star stylist Kevin Manucso.

An email from PR dynamo, Kate Deponte [below] tells you just how star stylist Kevin Mancuso styles this look. It’s a good one for long-haired girls.

STYLE 1-2-3:

• Apply a volumizer like Nexxus Mousse Plus to damp hair
• Part hair slightly to one side and blow dry with a large round brush.
• Once dry, wrap small sections of hair around a 1 inch barrel curing iron.
• Tease hair slightly at the crown with a fine tooth comb to create added height and texture that will help hold a decorative a barrette or fresh flowers (added later).
• Pull sides of hair back and secure with a hair tie, leaving the rest flowing and free.
• Gently pin up small sections of the hair around the base of the crown, arrange curls neatly before securing with bobby pins

• Spray hair with a strong hold hairspray, Nexxus Maxximum 
  • Add a decorative barrette or fresh flowers and bobby pins to the back of the crown. Done!

Banged! Get some Bangs to Celebrate the spring 2011 Season

Text, Vivian Kelly

About a month ago, I hit the Javitz Convention Center to visit the VIP booth at the Vision Expo Show with the intention of discovering what was new in the sunglass world.

Beth Dempsey and her lovely team from Images and Details PR made sure I left with the 411 [pink and red frames], but I left with more than that.

I walked in slightly bored with my almost-bob and walked out excited about pinky-red lipstick and bangs. NO, not those [yawn] perfect long side swept ones all the TV hostesses wear on shows such as “Entertainment Tonight” etc. The bangs that makeup artist Jenni Shaw showed me were short, punky, and blunt. They were EDITORIAL, ie: exciting. SHE looked amazing in them as she did with her strong pink-red lip, but would I?

Being the fearless sort, Jenni cuts her own bangs – really – with a man’s electric trimmer. “Just swoop from left to right in one straight line, and that’s it, you’re done.”

It sounded so easy and I would have done it right then and there had she had the styling tool on hand. Instead, Jenni showed me how to create YOUR perfect red lipstick by custom mixing them yourself on a little dish. Use 2-3 colors until you’ve got the shade you’re looking for. Chances are, you’ve already got everything you need in your makeup bag. I did, in the big makeup artist case I store under my bathroom sink.

Makeup Artist Jenni Shaw’s Tutorial- How to Create the Perfect Red LipShade

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Red is one of those colors you’ll be wearing for spring and if you don’t want to commit to a shirt or dress, start small, with a pair of sunglasses and red lip. Drew Barrymore looks great in this look as does Kanye West’s front row friend at the fall2011 Jeremy Scott Show. The latter has bangs to complete the look.

Erin Simmons of the Shine-Aveda Salon cut mine that weekend. At least 4 people told me that “I looked French” in them – which I am.

After looking at a the images Sheila Arway of Kaplow PR sent me of this trend yesterday, in which star stylist, Kevin Mancuso, explains the trend, I’m ready for MORE. “

BLUNT BANGS – 411

“To duplicate this look, go for brow-grazing bangs that are slightly tapered at the corners.  This way you can wear them down or sweep them to the side to quickly change up the style.
Celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso, who has worked with A-listers like Anne Hathaway, Abbie Cornish and Kristen Bell, offers his tips on how to style your bang look:

Says Mancuso, “Bangs are a great way to update your look without sacrificing length off your ends,” The addition of thick, blunt fringe immediately draws focus to your eyes and emphasizes your bone structure.”

Here’s Kevin’s short cut to making sure your bangs look perfect, each and every day.

STYLING THEM:

• Pin bangs to the side and create a middle part.  Then use a large round brush to blow dry the rest of your hair.
• Make sure bangs are still damp before styling.  If they have dried a bit, mist them with water prior to blow drying.  This will ensure there are no unwanted kinks in the bangs and also help set the style.
• Curl bangs over the round brush and blow dry on low, bending ends slightly under for a flattering, face-framing shape.
• Release the rest of hair from the hair tie.

THE TOOLS

Nexxus Thermal Volume Volumizing Heat Protection Mousse

Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Design and Finishing Mist

A Round Brush – I like Kent’s, available at MinNY

Here’s my GALLERY of fashion icons who showed us how to sport a bang.

I’m off to Walgreens to buy a pair of electric clippers and go just a little shorter….

>Runway Magazine and Anthony Leonard’s Avant-Garde Hair

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TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

I was sitting in Anthony Palermo’s chair, at the Anthony Leonard Salon this week, paralyzed with relief. After my attempts at replicating Amber Valetta’s “Lady Day” silver do came to a dismal end, I’d pretty much given up the fantasy. Thanks to Doreen at Adam Broderick in CT, I was back to my actual hair color [a level 4-5], NOT the almost-black most colorists insisted I am.
STILL, I couldn’t let go of the fantasy, so there I was. It took Anthony under 30 seconds to “get it” and I relaxed for the first time in a week with a copy of Runway Magazine.

At first, I couldn’t understand Anthony’s excitement at having editorial in a magazine that had Stephanie Pratt on the cover. True, she’s probably the most natural of “The Hills” Gang” but she’s not really an avant-garde fashion inspiration, and neither was the [yawn] beauty pageant contestant hair on the swim trend pages.
BUT THEN, when he turned to the editorial he and his partner, Leonard Zagami did for the “Von Alexandria’ 12-page spread, it all became crystal clear, why he was so thrilled.
THERE, starting on p.54, were MELANI VON ALEXANDRIA avant garde clothes and the hair Leonard created that added to the beautiful moody tone of GAKU FUJINO’S shoot. Von Alexandria’s clothes make you dream of being Superwoman, at least when they’re on your back. In fact, her spring 2009 “SUPERWOMAN” collection was a nod to “SUPERHEROES” ( the Fashion and Fantasy Metropolitan Costume Institute 2008 Exhibit). While the clothes were exciting and vaguely McQueen, it was the hair that really grabbed me, and there is NOTHING wrong with that.

Said Anthony, “People always say, ‘Oh, it shouldn’t be about the hair, it will over-power the clothes’, but what they don’t understand is that it can ADD so much to the shoot in its entirety.”
After flipping through the ‘Von Alexandria’ shoot, I couldn’t agree more.
Anthony’s beer can wigs were juxtaposed with pretty makeup by Jen Myles for MAC Cosmetics. The shoot took place in their NYC boutique salon on East 54th Street. Anthony created these unique beer can wigs, starting with synthetic sixties wigs from the same source the legendary KENNETH used. The source? “A trade secret” he told me with a roguish smile.
From there, he dyed them in wonderful colors that would not be found in nature, a silver+ Ketchup red and royal purple and silver. As he says on his blog, www.anthonyleonardsalon.comthis kind of hair “is For The Fashion Extremist Only.
Here’s the score – fashion editorial and fashion advertising are about FANTASY. Fashion is supposed to make you fantasize and dream. If you want boring reality, then mags like Lucky and Woman’s Day are more your speed. I applaud Nole Marin for trying to push the envelope. If all goes well, Runway will turned into a pub like Stephen Gan’s V-Mag.

DESIGNER MELANI VON ALEXANDRIA’s a designer with a conscience and a mission.
Her mission – to transform weapons of destruction into unique ornaments, brooches, and cuffs,
She has an ongoing collaboration with the City of Philadelphia to support a city known for its high rate of violence. MVA created jewelry out of a one-of gun metal alloy, after reading about the murder of a young girl in Philly. Said Melani, “I just wanted to take something destructive and turn it into something creative. Something had to be done. . . . I woke up one day and realized it could be me. I could be shot and killed.” Later that summer, she approached Sheriff John D. Green who stated his department agreed almost immediately to the proposal. The designer donates a portion of the proceeds to the Philadelphia School District.”
For more information on MVA, visit her Facebook page.
To view the MVA editorial in its entirely, visit www.runwaylive.com

ENDNOTES – Summer Styling Tips From Leonard Zagami.
From the Beauty Editorial that ran on pp. 24-27
FOR BANG ISSUES – Hit too short bangs w/ a K-Pak Professional Reconstrx Vapor Iron to give bangs a cool 20′s flapper look.

MAKEUP TIP – For the Perfect “Belle de Jour” lip, just use cleargloss over a smudged lipliner.
*I like MAC Cosmetic’s liners as they stay put and their lipglass as they stay on for hours on end.

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>VOGUE’S ‘LADY DAY’ photoshoot – SILVER HAIR=Edgy + Modern

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TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
It’s 8:15a.m., Memorial Day and I’ve got a low-level headache but I am totally inspired. The cause of the headache? No, it’s not the 1 glass of BIG WHITE 2007 CHARDONNAY from SouthEast Africa I had last night. The headache’s from staying up too late grading my Academy of Art University Final Exams with Disc 2 of Season 3 of ‘Mad Men’ running on a continuous loop on the TV in my office until 1a.m.
Steven Meisel’s ‘LADY DAY’ photoshoot, gets the credit for my high spirits.

I finally cracked the MAY 2010 VOGUE issue open yesterday a.m. on the way back from my hubby’s soccer tournament, and automatically turned to see what my favorite stylist, GRACE CODDINGTON, had dreamed-up for May. There was AMBER VALLETTA, dressed up as [gasp!] as an OLDER woman and looking absolutely fabulous.
THE BOYS I OWE MY INSPIRED state to: Photographer Steven Meisel and GUIDO, Redken’s Creative Consultant for “aging” AMBER, and making me WANT to go gray -like, NOW.
I stayed inspired throughout the evening, mucking-around with bleach and ash color, sneaking a look at ‘Roger Sterling’s’ [his hair is that very shade], on the TV.
Gray/silver is a trend in the making. One of my students, Maria Puglisi, wrote about in her final exam.
Maria suggested that silver is the new “cool” color”. I was instantly on-board. After all, Babe Paley let her dark hair go silver.
Maria’s image of socialite/model PIXIE GELDORF, sealed the deal.

While the result was not what I envisioned as I started the process last night, it’s a step in the right direction and there’s a beach party to go to now.
The solution or I should say, satisfaction, is only 1 1/2 months away, That’s when I’ll be covering Mercedes-Benz Miami Beach Swim, and I’ll drop into the Oribe Salon and they’ll make my vision a reality. In the meantime, I’ve got Amber’s pic tacked-up to my office wall in front of me, reminding me that a woman CAN have gray hair AND look, not “old”, but gorgeous and sophisticated.

To read more enthusiastic reviews about Steven and Grace Coddington’s ‘LADY DAY’ shoot, go to www.chungkitblog.wordpress.com

For information regarding Oribe and the Oribe Salon, visit www.oribesalon.com

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>Oribe In Las Vegas – THE SHOW – ‘Donna Arp’ Glamour!

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http://www.oribe.com/video_player.swf?video_server=http://c1608082.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/&video_source=OribeVegasFull-2010-05-17.flv&thumbnail_source=OribeVegasFull-2010-05-17_LG.jpg&share_link=http://bit.ly/b9GuW8

TEXT: VIVIAN GALTIER KELLY-VAN ZUTPHEN
Video of ORIBE in Las Vegas- the show, courtesy of Zaki Amin, Oribe

“I don’t want to be a craftsman, that’s boring. I want to be an artist….Donna Arp -it’s made-up but the idea isn’t. I want to reinvent glamour.”
-ORIBE CANALES -

The show in this video clip is a must-see if you love any of the following: glamour, hair, John Waters, Vegas Glitz, Oribe.

I’ve always longed to sport the beehive bouffants shown in this video and shut my eyes and pretend I’m Kim Novak on the set of ‘Vertigo’. When I’m in Miami this July for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, I’m going to make my annual pilgrimage to the Oribe salon off Lincoln Road and let the crew there give me a wonderful hair cut and a beehive set. MAYBE, just maybe, I’ll be able to duplicate it back at home with a combination of Oribe’s NEW PRODUCTS.
THE PRODUCTS
1. Soft Lacquer
2. Super Fine Strong
3. Dry

Note to Oribe – Not to worry! You’ve been the Glamour God of hair from your ‘Chrome Hearts’ Days of the nineties to today in your “cleaned-up” version.

For more information on the products and Oribe salons, visit www.oribe.com or call 1-800-ORIBE-99
The Miami Beach Salon is located at 1627 Euclid Avenue
Tel:(305) 538-8006

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>EMU’s latest for fall 2010, The Wonder Girls, Toni + Guy haircare

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TEXT, VIVIAN G. KELLY-VAN ZUTPHEN

WHEN and WHERE: NY Fashion Week, Downtown, West 18th Street, the Style 360 Lounge space

The walk-through presentation style event was spiced up by the presence of The Wonder Girls the glam pop group from South Korea. The girls wore adorable Mondrian color block dresses in bright primary colors.
The other draw, the expansive EMU collection was shown on models staged on a platform wearing vests, coats, some knits, and of course the boots that have put them on the map.
We still maintain that Emus are better than Ucks. For one thing, there’s more variety for kids + women + the ARE really made in Australia. We could NOT have gotten through this brutal winter with out our tall KINGS CROSS EMUS in “sable” that are elegant enough to wear while not wading through the snow or coming out of the surf.

Uggs have been produced in China for quite some time, and we take umbrage with them because they continue to represent themselves as “Australian”. If a product is made in China, as they are, it’s a well-known fact that the manufacturer is paying less to have them made – the point of going to China in the first place. Thus, the savings should be passed-on to the consumer. The opposite is true, and Ugg prices have been consistently high and are very rarely on sale.
Enough about Uggs and back to EMU. In addition to adorable booties for kids, we were surprised to see some great knits.
The bright orange cable vest makes a cute addition to the typically drab black and gray winter wardrobe.
Claudine Gumbel, of THINK PR always organizes some other interesting company booths to check out. This time, the British Hair chain, TONI & GUY had a rep on hand who showed us the 2 runway inspired lines they’ve just debuted. The 1st Toni + Guy salon will open in Hoboken New Jersey later this year. In the meantime, you can buy the CATWALK collections at the TIGI Academy at 61st and Madison Ave, across the street from Barney’s NY.

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>A PROPER INDULGENCE – ORIBE’s Gel Serum – A product for the hair obsessed

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Couturier Hubert de Givenchy famously said, “Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself.”

We’re admittedly hair-obsessed and recession or not, we haven’t given up on wanting to look beautiful. After seeing the Marc Jacobs fall 2009 show, we’re back in LOVE with big hair, eighties style. When it wasn’t that, we opted for the slicked-back hair every “power-luncher” on Wall Street favored. Back then, like every other club going girl or guy, we used STIFF STUFF, which held any style you wanted from 8:00AM to 2:00AM, after breakfast at the FLORENT diner downtown.
Fortunately for us, ORIBE CANALES has developed a new product that makes even the laziest of us appear as if we know what we’re doing. ORIBE’s GEL SERUM is “Stiff Stuff”, only BETTER, and the packaging is what couture is to Walmart.

Oribe‘s GEL SERUM. It promises “Radiance, Magic, and Hold”. That’s a tall order but this product holds and conditions, at the same time. By “radiance” we mean SHEEN, not SHINE aka “greasy”. Our unruly short hair stayed firmly in place – all day, with no pins, no clips, and looked as polished at 6PM as it did at 7AM. All that’s required is to massage a pea-sized squirt into your palms and tousle your hair into the desired position and DONE.

THE TECHNOLOGY
These sexy products are the result of 30 years of custom-blending lotions and potion. Oribe and his crew tested them ON SET, IN THE SALON, AND ON HOLLYWOOD’S A-LISTERS. These glamorous test rats got to try and use these paraben-free shampoos, conditioners and styling products way before they hit the market, but now we can all get in on a little bit of the glamour usually only reserved for the jet set.
KEY INGREDIENT in the GEL SERUM: Corn, Wheat and Soy Microproteins are actually anti-aging. The product coats the hair’s surface, also protecting it from blow-drying and irons, in case you get ambitious.
15 fl. Oz – $58
WHERE TO GET IT: The Adam Broderick Salon, Ridgefield, CT
Tel: 203-431-3994
www.adambroderick.com

If you happen to be in Miami, you can drop into Oribe’s salon, and book an appointment to have your hair restyled and leave with just the right product RX for your new coif.
The Oribe Salon is located on 1627 Euclid Avenue, Miami Beach. Tel. 305-538-8006
If not, there’s always the website, www.oribe.com

COMING SOON: The review on the ORIBE Shampoo and conditioner.

ENDNOTES: If you’re curious about Stiff Stuff, it’s still out there! www.americarx.com

*Additional photo credits: Product image from oribe.com
Image of Oribe product family, www.scottbarnestv.com
Image of Adam Broderick, www.salonawards.com

Weight-in on this post! It is:

amusing

informative

snarky

Makes me want to buy it