Project Runaway Season 6 runner up, Althea Harper, debuted her eponymous collection last Monday and it didn't disappoint. The glamazonian blond, who was designing for Tory Burch's label, decided it was time to show off her downtown chic style and branch off on her own.
As an avid Project Runway viewer, I was thrilled to be seeing her line, especially because I really feel I got to know her and her design point of view (such a Tim Gunn-ism) while watching the show. I was thrilled to meet her and can safely say she is every bit as sweet, personable and beautiful as she comes across on TV.
The statuesque designer's collection had a very clear direction: neutral color palette, oversized chunky and tailored knits (her signature) paired with body hugging minimalist silhouettes. There was plenty of draping, sheer mesh panels and cut outs in many of the dresses, skirts and pants and tailored jackets. I also loved the blending of silk and leather accents. It was beautifully see on a few of the shirts like the silky gray shirt with leather piecing on the shoulders and sheer chiffon used on the arms. I particularly loved the black leather pencil skirt seen with an oversized chunky hooded knit sweater. It was one of those outfits you could wear and feel undeniably sexy but not self-conscious or over the top in. The clothes had wear-ability and are designed for a strong, confident woman who wants to be seen as powerful, feminine and sexy. The use of strong lines, bold cuts and unexpected combinations of fabrics and textures mixed with oversize baubles (by Sequin Jewelry) made for a stylish debut.
The hair and makeup reminded me of the severe androgynous look of Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love ladies: slicked back, gleaming, shiny hair and black almost bleeding red lips.
Hair: Hairstylist Yoichi Tomizawa created the severe android look by painting on several layers of Shine Gelation to add an icy shine. He also used L’Oreal Elnett Hair Spray and Wella Professional High Hair Hair Lacquer Ultra Control Finishing Spray for hold, structure and shape.
Makeup: Makeup Artist, Kristen Arnett mirrored the look and feel of the collection by creating equally sharp, clean bold, dark and modern lines in the look of the face. Luminess Air (luminessair.com), an airbrush makeup system helped create the absolutely stunning, flawless finish. The water-based foundation goes on light and was used to give a “perfect skin” look. The android look was completed with a bloody black-red lip. The multilayered lips were perfectly defined using a M.A.C. lip liner in Currant. Black cream lipstick and bright red lipstick, which was concentrated in the center and then faded out, were layered on together to add a dark depth to the modern lip. Arnett then used a black and midnight blue gel/cream liner by L’Oreal that was smudged together to create an aerodynamic triangular line. The heavy intentionally imperfect line was smudged together was a dramatic contrast to the lightened eyebrows seen on every model. The look was odd, unconventional yet undeniably beautiful.
A very huge and special thanks to Makeover Momma's Editor-in-Chief, the amazingly fantastic gorgeous lovely Bailey Vincent Clark for her help setting this up. Check out her full interview with Althea Harper here! For all the beautiful mommies reading this, check out her site, Makeover Momma. You will love it. Follow her on Twitter: @makeovermomma. Follow Althea Harper on Twitter: @AltheaHarper, and oh yeah follow me on Twitter too: @beautybuffblog!
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