Backstage at the Michael Kors S/S 2014 Show

michaelKors Cover Backstage Beauty

Going backstage before the Michael Kors S/S 2014 show was a truly great experience as I was able to explore the newly launched collection of amazing makeup products, body and sun care, and three new fragrances, set to launch in Switzerland in October 2013.

Sandra Bauknecht Backstage at Michael Kors ss2014

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The look was all about the American designer’s beloved healthy glow and the new bronzer compacts were bringing the colour to the models’ cheekbones. Makeup artist Dick Page explained his inspiration for the runway make-up look and told me more about the new range, which is divided into three different “moods”, so-called SPORTY, SEXY, and GLAM, one to represent each of the Michael Kors woman’s changing moods.

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Model Michael Kors

“Very cool and downplayed, probably the cleanest look I’ve done in a while,” Dick Page told me. “The look is clean and warm. The collection has sort of 40s elements to it, so we didn’t want to get too ‘costumey’.”

Michael Kors Backstage

He goes on: “I am mixing the two bronzers, using the SPORTY one ‘Glow’ for the general warmth on the face and the SEXY one ‘Flush’ on the cheeks almost like a blush accent. For the lips, I took the berry shade ‘Dame’ from the GLAM collection which is first painted on with a lip brush, then blotted and powdered over with a light tan eye shadow to diffuse the colour to the edge of the mouth, just for a hint of the shade. I also used the same eye shadow like a sort of concealer around the eye.

When I created that look, I was kind of thinking black and white, tone and structure of the face, something healthy, relaxed animated. Very confident, very Kors. Michael likes a lot of energy.”

Michael Kors Nail Polish

Manicurist Jin Soon Choi, that I have had just met at Tibi backstage at few days ago, was applying the perfect nude nail polish ‘Hint’ from the SPORTY collection onto the models’ hands and feet, a sophisticated nail tone perfect for all skin tones.

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The three new fragrances are:

SPORTY CITRUS – For the confident woman.
A crisp scent with orange and mandarin at the forefront, while warm woods and white florals linger in the background.

SEXY AMBER – For the seductress.
It puts the spotlight on sumptuous amber wrapped in sandalwood and musk, against a bright backdrop of dazzling orange, mandarin and white florals.

GLAM JASMINE – For the lady who likes to turn heads.
Giving center stage to Kors’ beloved floral note, jasmine, while warm woodsy notes and sparkling citrus are less prominent, the fragrance is overtly feminine.

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Michael Kors and Joan Rivers Backstage

Michael Kors with American television personality Joan Rivers backstage before the show.

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Michael Kors Backstage Fashion

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Michael Kors SS2014

After all those backstage photos, you might be interested in how the collection looked like on the runway. Here we go with my favourite looks. Are you sexy, sporty, or glam? With Michael Kors’ new fashion must-haves, your entire closet can match your personality according to your mood. The designer has created one of his best collections ever, with colours to match whichever occasion you choose. Two things not included? Michael Kors replied: “No flip-flops and leggings.But the collection is glamourous and practical at the same time.” And I am sure it will sell out fast… front row A-listers Kate Mara and Katie Holmes looked like they wanted to have every single piece. Get in line, ladies, we all want Michael!

LoL, Sandra

Michael Kors. Spring 2014 Look 14

Michael Kors. Spring 2014 Look 55

Runway Photos: Courtesy of Michael Kors, All Backstage Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the Tibi S/S 2014 Show

Tibi S:S 2014

Right after I had arrived in NYC on Saturday, I went to Pier 59 to go backstage before the Tibi S/S 2014 show and to interview Amy Smilovic. The charming designer has brought her label in a very short amount of time to success and told me a little about her inspiration and how she manages daily life as a working mum of two sons.

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What was your inspiration for S/S 2014?

It is travel-inspired, from Asia to Arizona. It is really about the grit and the work that goes into getting there and the beauty once you arrive. That was grounding the collection for me because I love beautiful things but you need to be able to wear them in daily life on the street. It is important for me that the collection is cool and clean but still feminine.

After your amazing very successful last collection, do you feel pressure to reinvent and top yourself?

Always. It is a good challenge. I would rather feel the pressure to reinvent myself than staying the same.

How do you manage in daily life being a business woman and mother of two?

Just do it! My sons are were important to me. Being a mum keeps me balanced, I don’t freak out about tiny details. The kids help me keep perspective.

Amy Smilovic being interviewed by Sandra Bauknecht

Your secret to success?

I surround myself with really good people.

Do you have an icon? Which women would you like to wear your designs?

No, I don’t have an icon. It is a mix of strong women, such as Charlotte Rampling, Patti Smith and Kate Bosworth. I want really confident woman to wear my clothes.

Get the look-Tibi

Speaking of which, as I am a huge fan of the brand, I was of course wearing a Tibi dress combined with my leather biker jacket, pointed leather Mary-Jane pumps, both by Saint Laurent and the Bamboo shopper leather tote iconby Gucci.

Tibi Backstage Nails and Makeup

I have truly loved the nail design created by Jin Soon Choi. Inspired by the collection’s travel theme, Jin came up with a manicure that expresses a virtual language developed by American travelers who lived a nomadic life in the 1920s.

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These signs were used to help fellow travelers navigate; the vertical/ horizontal lines on the nails are an extraction  from the traveler symbol “all right”.

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Jin Soon Choi with me backstage

Jin Soon Choi Nails

Tibi SS2014 Looks

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Tibi Shoes Backstage

Tibi Show Ambiance

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Front row next to Stylebop iconFashion Director Leila Yavari

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What I have loved most about this beautiful collection were the details, like cutouts, unusual hemlines or fringes in the back. The jumpsuits, along with the palm print were amazing. My preferred look was the all orange combination pretty much at the end.

Enjoy all my favourites below and stay tuned for more!

LoL, Sandra

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Amy Smilovic Tibi

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

With Tom Pecheux Backstage at Derek Lam

It is that time again, when fashionistas from all over the globe mingle to spot the newest trends for the upcoming season. And it starts with New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

To start you off, I have a real eye candy for you from yesterday’s presentations. Derek Lam showed his F/W 2011 collection with a modern and dramatic makeup look designed by Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux. Enjoy the first-hand details on the look by following Tom Pecheux and his team backstage.

Derek Lam’s collection focused on new combinations of fabric to make the clothes look fresh, fluid and weightless, the bulk is eliminated and the pieces fit effortlessly together.
Walking in the show were Estée Lauder Global Spokesmodels Liu Wen, Constance Jablonski and Joan Smalls dressed in bold textures and patterns mixed with seamlessly flowing and sharp accents.

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Tom Pecheux framed by Constance Jablonski, Liu Wen and Joan Smalls

Working with Derek and Estée Lauder for a third consecutive season, Tom created the sleek leaden eye and muted lip and skin with new products from his upcoming Pure Color collection launching in Fall 2011.

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Eyes: Silver (metallic finish) and black (shimmer finish) shades
Two NEW Estée Lauder eye shadows tested backstage – both launching Fall 2011
Highlight Shade: NEW Estée Lauder Illuminating Powder tested backstage – launching Fall 2011
Eyebrows: Automatic Brow Pencil

Tom started with shimmering black eyeshadow and dramatically winged out towards the temples and then used an intensely pigmented metallic grey eyeshadow to produce a silver foil finish in the center of the lid.  Finishing the eye with a swipe of a new highlighting powder on the brow bone created the focus on the bold eye that perfectly complemented the soft richness of the clothing.

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Lips: NEW Estée Lauder Nude Matted Lipstick tested backstage – launching Fall 2011

The skin and lips evoked an almost blurred effect, using a new matte nude lipstick and soft contouring under the cheekbone.

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Cheeks: Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer – below cheek

Face: Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10
Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder

Skin: NEW Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator – launching Summer 2011
DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème SPF 15

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Nails: NEW Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Porcelain –launching Fall 2010

Famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi was also on-hand to polish the toes and fingers of the models in the new limited pale shade.

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“This look is very versatile, it almost changes with your movement. The silver metal on the eye reminds me of modern architecture, hard and strong and plays delicately against Derek’s minimal but sophisticated collection. These clothes, you want to keep forever.” described Pecheux, “This look is very confident and lovely, it evokes the fantasy of the Derek Lam woman.”

I am always a big fan of smokey eyes and pale lips and love Tom’s look for F/W 2011. We just have to wait a little longer for those amazing metallic and shimmering shades
But isn’t anticipation the greatest joy?

LoL, Sandra