Review: Rochester Fashion Week, Saturday Show

The Height of Fashion

The height of this fashion show was it's fabulous close-r, Embrasse-Moi, who sent whimsical and bridal lingerie down the runway with taste and elegance. Clearly, they saved the best for last to keep people seated


If I didn't know better, I would have preferred to shop out of the Futurepointe costume wardrobe rather than off the actual vendors. Futurepointe, a vibrant, urban contemporary dance company in Rochester, was the heartbeat of the runway, gracing intermission with their usual lively, intoxicating performance. The perfect mix of retro glam and down-home, soul-healing creole, I felt like I was watching a retro inspired mardis gras parade. Definitely, the highlight of the show.

Image Copyright FUTURPOINTEDANCE.ORG.

I must mention that one model, especially, captured out attention like a starlet. She was a picture perfect runway walker with petite boyish features and the grace of a 1930s MGM Grand film star. I'll have to get back to you on the particulars, because there was no model listing..

but I am pretty positive this glory goes to the effervescent, Miss Nina Lutz.

Photo by Frank Petronio.

Rochester's Fall Fashion Events

Fall fashion events are one way to dive into the change of season in style.

Get in the mood for sweaters and boots with these fashion show events:



Greentopia Fashion Show

 ...weeell, it already happened, but I wanted to tell you about it anyway...Save the date for next September!

Fashion Week of Rochester

This is a major publicity fest that is really about a fun night on the town where you can dress up and "be seen" at "the scene". It promotes local ready-to-wear boutiques (rather than designers). There are events Thurs-Sunday, Sept 27th-30th, each highlighting a different aspect of Fashion. Go out and have a good time!

Proceeds go towards Rochester's Center for Youth. 

 Dado Fashion Show

My personal favorite, Dado's fine taste and excellent venue choices really set this show above the rest. Originally hosted at the trendy restaurant Good Luck, the popularity of this event grew so quickly that it is now hosted at Max's at High Falls, overlooking the best view of water falls in Rochester. Proceeds benefit The Wilmot Cancer Center.

He Asked for the "Hitler Youth" Hair Cut

The other day a friend and local musician sat in my chair for the first time...I would describe him as being pretty adverse to trends just for the sake of trends. So I was, quite frankly, shocked when he pulled out some images of Ryan Gosling for his hair cut.

I asked him, "What did you search on Google when these images came up- Ryan Gosling hair cut?" He replied,

"Naw, I don't even know who he is...I looked up 'Hitler Youth Hair Cut." I couldn't help but giggle. 

Lately, we have been hearing a lot about term "undercut". Within this category, I hear people asking about vintage styles- everything from the "Hitler Youth" look to the 90s Skaterboy.

image from thesartorialist.com

What is do all these undercuts have in common? It's when a portion of hair is cut significantly shorter underneath a longer portion. Typically the two sections do NOT blend, resulting in a disconnect of hair that can be overt or subtle. The term "undercut" has been coined to signify that the look of the entire haircut is determined by this technique.

A simple Pinterest or Google image search of "Under Cut" will result in image after image of heads shaved on the side...never fear!!

disconnected curls. image from gerrydavis.blogspot.com

While this is ONE VERSION of the technique, there are hundreds of ways to incorporate this simple disconnection into a hair cut, resulting in extremely edgy to utterly sophisticated affects.

Bottom Layers are undercut AND disconnected from the top layer. Top fringe has disconnected, edgy, yet sophisticated, fang-like points.

A popular take on this trend is a dapper sort of unisex shorter version. HBO's recent hit series Boardwalk Empire, set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition, has certainly spurred the trend on. The popular trend is extremely reminiscent of the Depression era.

Mischael Pitt rocks the 1930's hair, playing Boardwalk Empire's darling baby-boy upstart gangster "Jimmy Darmody".

On females, the unisex shorter version boasts a devil-may-care, oft punk or grunge variation.

image from random google search

Beauty Through a Lens

In January of this year, I wrapped a year long photo project with photographer Matt D'Angelo. It began as a Natural beauty Project (NBP) and evolved into a creative portfolio building piece for Matt, the models, and myself.

This Saturday evening at Fusion Salon (home away from home!) I will be debuting  some favorite photos from the NBP as well as the a handful of others from developing local photographers and models.

Here are a few of my favorites from the NBP:

Thanks to the spark that Matt started, I began reaching out to local photographers, entering hair competitions, expanding my styling skills, and capturing a very attractive, marketable side of what I do: hair, wardrobe, and makeup.

Proud as I am of the work accomplished,  the artistic desire to push myself keeps kicking my butt...I just can't shake it. As my good friend and photographer Hannah Betts recently put it, "Andrea, you know you can do commercial style work. It is now time to stretch yourself."

So....let's see what happens next, shall we?!

Here are a few teasers from the upcoming art opening.
SATURDAY Sept 22. 6pm-10pm. Fusion Salon.

Come hang out with me, have a drink on us,  and view this artistic processes as it evolves.


Photos Top by D'Angelo Photo, Models Leah Kane (top) and Anna Dana (bottom). Photos Bottom by Hannah Betts Photogrpahy. Model Anna Dana.

HOW TO: Dressing Casual at Work

It has come to my attention, with the onset of summer weather, that many  Rochester people struggle to understand the difference between casual and "work appropriate" attire.


Problems that arise usually involve looking sloppy like you don't care, looking frumpy like you don't update your casual clothes ever, or looking inappropriate. 

Common Symptoms...
                                   ...know what to look out for

The sloppy "I just don't give a  ---------"

The Frump - "I have no clue what is in style. I haven't shopped in years and I am afraid to show off my figure."

And, ever inappropriate, The Sexy Suit- "From club to cubicle and back again!"

Smart Solutions...
                         ... "how to" dress casually at work:

Some careers are just never casual.
Who wants to see their doctor, attorney, or financial consultant out of dress code? Not me. We want our doctor looking pristine, our lawyers to look like they own the law, and the people handling our money to look like they are at ease handling money. And ladies, cleavage looks cheap, no matter how expensive the suit was.


If you cannot find a balance, DO NOT even try to dress down.
No one will judge you for looking professional in front of a client or employer. They will if you look sloppy.

Pair soft material with structure.
Pair casual tops like malleable knits with structured bottoms like crisp ironed pants and vise-versa.

When in doubt, use accessories to formalize a look.
Expensive looking polished shoes, fine jewelry, belts, watches, and glasses all add an formal element to a casual outfit. 

Go lighter or brighter. 
A lighter or brighter version of a classic piece instantaneously gives a facelift and a casual vibe without sacrificing good form. 

NOTE: browse the rack- the same shirt/pants in light grey will always look less dressy.

Tommy Hilfiger

Never go to work in sneakers (unless you're a bad-ass barber).
Shoes offset an entire outfit and set your posture. Casual shoes will make you look less authoritative. Period. Go for a milder version of formal. Example: leather slips-ons instead of Oxfords.

Sneakers make his posture sloppy.

This Salvatore Ferragamo slip-on has a sole reminiscent of a racing shoe. Appropriately casual.

Less formal than close-toed heels, this Tory Burch wedge is classic and just casual enough.

Things My Mother Never Told Me: Curly Hair

Why is it that every curly-haired girl I meet has is either clueless as to styling their curls OR has some secret technique as to how to "deal" with her curls? It's like no one's mother ever taught them about curls and we live in fear.

Fear that the weather will determine how your hair behaves, fear that you will be given a lop-sided hack-job hair cut, fear that no product will ever solve your frizz problems. Is no one thrilled to have gorgeous curls?

Even as a young stylist, education was limited. I craved and sought out classes on curly hair at every hair show I would ever attend, only to be disappointed again and again that they were teaching how TO curl but not how to work with natural curl.

A solution has been found. Get yourself a copy of "Cury Girl," by Lorraine Massey and enjoy peace of mind. Curls are a blessing. When they are moisturized and handled properly, you should never fear again.

Summertime is the perfect time to start testing out these curly hair tips- go to town!!

Key Curly Tips:

1. Over cleansing (shampooing) your curls will dry them out.
2. Condition, condition, condition!!! 
3. Load your hair with light weight conditioner from ROOT to end, smoothing the curl in small sections. THIS IS WHAT REMOVES FRIZZ.
4. Apply styling products (moisturizing gels and mousses) to curls WHEN SOPPING WET, and then lightly soak up excess moisture with a microfiber towel (or paper towels). Do not twist. 
5. At night, sleeping with a silk or satin pillowcase will minimize frizz that occurs against the pillowcase.

Ombre Hair: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

I love trend setters. I love trends. But, I also have to establish a certain taste-level in the sense that "trendy" can veer into the realm of dangerous. Case in point: ombre hair.

It's been a strong trend since last summer and it lends itself nicely to hair with any sort of wave curl. How wonderful to finally have a style that makes long hair appear edgy. There is a definitive line between cool, edgy and just plain trashy though. Please don't ride it unless you are drop-dead gorgeous.

 Soft, subtle, feature-enhancing ombre. Will looked great dressed up or down.

 

I am sorry to say this Miss Drew Barrymore, but you are not in that category. You are the simple-fresh faced girl next door who has grown into 30 some-odd, woman. Grungy, regrowth-enhancing ombre hair does not become you. How to avoid the pitfall??

No, thanks. Looks ok when she's dolled up, but just grungy when she's candid.

Enjoy but avoid over-doing the trend by keeping the contrast within a color range that jumps no more than 4 levels. Your hair stylist/colorist will know what that means. Drew's jump from deep brunette to bleached blonde does not enhance her skin or features and from the back it can look like a bald monk's circle. Caution.