Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week-Victor dE Souza

Jessica Biel & Victor dE Souza at the designer's Fall 2010 show
As soon as I arrived at Casa Le Femme in the West Village for the Victor dE Souza show I knew I was in for something special. The ambiance was warm yet mysterious, magical yet cozy.

There were sparkling chandeliers that added magic to the already warm lighting. There were plush red velvet couches tucked away in intimate-looking coves that lined the room and a six-foot high limestone fireplace that looked like it was a secret door to Narnia. There was also an enormous fire pit in the sunken in center of the room that seemed to have erupted from the floor into a perfectly rounded cylindrical sculpture. The place was in no way subtle, which was fitting because the Victor dE Souza collection was anything but. It was, however, dramatic, innovative, beautiful and filled with gasp-worthy pieces.

What's amazing about the designer besides being a true couturier (with hand stitching and artisan construction) is his ability to make his clothes look as modern as they do feminine and Holly Golightly –esque. The look of the show was "alien chic" and meant for a woman who is classic and chic yet able to "transcend her immediate surroundings… [and be of] an alternate universe". This was apparent in the mixture of futuristic clothing with classic silhouettes and structures.

The look captured the eerie beauty dE Souza wanted to convey. The NARS Cosmetics team headed by makeup artist, Lena Koro, transformed the models by covering the entire eye with a black contact. My fellow 'True Blood' fans will be familiar with the identical possessed "Mary Ann has taken over your soul-savage glare" look from the show. The eyes instantly became filled with an entrancing lifeless stare. Amazing what a pair of contacts can do.

MAKEUP: All makeup was by Nars. The face was powdered Geisha-white using Loose Powder in Snow and all traces of eyebrow hair were covered. Eyeliner in Black Moon was winged out and thickly traced in a reverse cat eye fashion. Koro said she wanted the liner to look like it was part of the eye so that in addition to the contacts the entire eye area was black, creating extra drama. The lips provided the only hint of color with a slick of barely there-practically white-pink Triple X Lipgloss.

NAILS: The nails, done by Kristina Estabrooks for CND, looked like extra-terrestrial claws. Estabrooks fashioned pre-fabricated glowing white tips glazed in Copper Shimmer. The nails were placed above the nail bed for an extra alien-like effect. The stark white matched the bright white porcelain makeup.

HAIR: Phyto provided the hair products. Hairstylist Danilo called the look "Breakfast at Tiffany's on Mars". The hair had tons of dimension and volume. "The feel is very futuristic and modern yet elegant and feminine.", said Danilo. The stylist created an updated chignon. He took Phyto Wet Gel and Phyto Workable Holding Spray to build a clean, tight "Olympic ponytail". He then put the hair back and added a hairpiece that had bulk in the center but faded out on the sides. "This [style] accentuates the shape of a woman's face, so you really see a clear silhouette when [the models] walk; because his clothes really are all about silhouettes." said Danilo.

Check out my behind the scenes pictures from the show. Including the shot of one of my absolute idols, Francois Nars. He was there to collaborate with the makeup team and oversee the entire look of the show. It was absolutely amazing to meet him in person! Also Patricia Field, famed Sex and the City Costume Designer came to the show. It was wonderful to meet her and the legendary makeup artist! Quite a night for me!

Model with full hair & makeup

Francois Nars! Nars overseeing the look of the show.

Patricia Field!