Fashion | Studio DNA Salon

The Return of Monica (to New York Fashion Week)

(February 28, 2010 – 3:01 pm)

Monica Looking Beautiful We all had a pleasant surprise at Studio DNA last week when Danny and Aubrey told us that we were invited by Korto Momolu and NCL Couture to design their looks at NYC’s Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2010. Since, I had previously worked on Fashion Week when I lived in NY, this was a lovely opportunity to revisit the city and feel the energy and chaos backstage during Fashion Week.

Both designers had contrasting looks:

Korto Momolu instills her Northern African influences in her designs, so it was important to reflect that influence in the hair of the models. Our creative team from Studio DNA met the challenge with finesse by using pre-braided hair into the look. The products we used were key to creating this look, which required using fiber from Sebastian to sculpt a very sleek, pony tail. The look was elegant and chic. We were all pleased with the result.

As for NCL, we had the challenge of creating a look that was inspired by Marie Antoinette. However, this look needed to be modernized to reflect contemporary style. Toward that end, we used stuffing, hair nets and hair extensions to set the height of the models hair in place. We also curled the hair to create body and texture and braided the back of each model’s hair creating a labyrinth of intricately designed braiding. The look was awesome and seemed to be a real crowd-pleaser!

Fashion Week was a real challenge, but I loved every minute of it, especially knowing I had amazing colleagues by my side to make this all possible.

By Monica Skai Pesantes | Comments (0)

Beauty Talk – New York Style

(February 25, 2010 – 10:50 am)

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So we just got back from New York Fashion Week with our amazingly talented creative team. It was the presentation of the 2010 Fall Collection and we swooped in to provide hair for two amazing shows. I’m still trying to digest the amazing experience we had.

We worked on two fabulous shows with two great designers, Nicholas Clements-Lindsey of NCL Couture and Korto Momolu from Project Runway. Working with two such talents certainly inspired me to provide them with the ultimate in hair design that complimented and completed the story for their collection! An equally important component was the fabulous make up for both shows provided by our friend, Cristina Romeo, owner of Polaris Cosmetics, and her team of talented make-up artists.

When I sat down with designer Nicholas (NCL Couture) and asked him what direction he wanted to go in, he replied, “Marie Antoinette!”

Not the literal, but, dramatic and big! I also wanted to give the audience and little surprise in the back of the look and incorporated braiding designs in the back of the head, which I felt added a little sophisticated fun to the look while keeping with the overall theme. Check out the designer at www.nclcouture.com

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We have had the good fortune of working with the talented Korto Momolu before when she showed in LA during October Fashion Week 2009, and an instant bond was formed. Korto was thrilled when we were available to do her show in New York. Korto’s hair design was certainly inspired by her clothes and ethnic back round. The result was a tight sleek and sophisticated look. The hair was pulled back and the extra length was braided on top of the head to form a bun-like design that was interwoven with fabric given to us by Korto. A look that can easily be taken from runway to everyday!

Check out Korto at: www.kortomomolu.com/korto.html

Also check out the fabulous make up and divine eyebrows provided by: www.polariscosmetics.com

The Union Square Ballroom Style Tip: Braiding can be worn all year round, the difference between braids in the Spring and braids in the Fall can be as simple as wearing them looser and also down for the Spring/Summer and lifting them up, and wearing them tighter for the Fall/Winter, as seen from our show in NY. Throw in a splash of fabric for fun!

Thank you all for your continued Love and Support, and to my incredible Creative Team – you guys Rock!

By Aubrey Loots | Comments (0)

New York Fashion Week

(February 25, 2010 – 10:30 am)

When Aubrey announced that we will be going to NY for fashion week to do 2 shows after keeping it a secret. I was ecstatic and he then said that the entire creative team is going as well. All expenses paid. Hell yeah……so fantastic! Studio DNA presented this amazing opportunity to the creative team that will benefit our salon with the knowledge and experience we will come home with to teach the other stylist.

So en route for New York… preparation began the moment DNA gave the green light. All I’m thinking now is what are the looks for the shows, who are the designers, what’s the inspiration, what is the weather going to be like and last but not least what I am going to wear?

As we started to close in on the last few days before we left I was scrambling trying to pack,work and stay warm because just thinking of how cold it was going to be in NY scared me a little bit…I live in sunny California I don’t own warm clothes..haha

Fast forward to the night of our flight we took the red eye to JFK which meant we all needed as much rest as we could get. Knowing that we arrive at like 7am and have to be at the 1^st show which was NCL at 10am was crazy. We already are living the life of a New Yorker!! Yesss I love it…..

We arrive at the venue it was an amazing space for a couture show. The models were all like 8ft tall I swear …beautiful! The hairstyles were a Marie Antoinette inspired modern feel.

We worked as a team and did some amazing hair…so proud of what the team completed together and we also had the pleasure to work with MIZU salon from New York that worked it out. Woohoo big ups to Angela Soto!

As we all cleaned up after the show and exited the building so tired but still so energized at the same time. We all went separate ways and explored the city!

Day 2 – Happy Valentines Day

So amazing to start out your day with a drive over the bridge to Williamsburg, a hip part of Brooklyn. I’ve always heard and wanted to visit but never had a chance until today. My girls Summer and Monica were along for the ride and that made it that much more special…these two ladies are my close friends and my valentines dates which was fantastic… we met up with a friend of Monica’s that lives in this cool part of Brooklyn and she too became another one of my valentines Sadah. Loved her… we enjoyed brunch and walked the streets shopping and taking pics all day…..then headed back over the bridge to the city to Top Shop which was an amazing place to pick up some unique shoes to say the least.

We all headed out later on that night for cocktails and great company with the whole team and danced till 4am… where did the energy come from?! NY baby….

Day 3 - Kortos’ Big Day

We had the pleasure to work on her show here in LA for fashion week and we killed it….such an amazing presence! So we couldn’t wait for her to debut her 2010 collection in New York. We had an idea for the hair since we had already done her show before. Which was high tall wide buns braided with fabric entwined!! pretty rad…..these models were all very tall as well amazingly gorgeous. The clothes and accessories that Korto designed were rich in color and beautifully sewn to perfection. Head to toe these ladies were top of the line!

As we watched the show the ladies were breathtaking walking down the runway. Cameras flashing people clapping ooohing and awwwing, there was amazing energy filling the room and the support that was shown for Korto by her friends and family and fellow Project Runway alumni fantastic….you got chills.

Congrats to both designers that gave us at Studio DNA this opportunity to be a part of your journey.

Day 4 New York good bye for now….

In New York where dreams are made…..keep dreaming them and they keep coming true. I love this city!!!

Thanks to DNA and the Polaris girls for an amazing job and energy to put this all together and to all my ladies and gent (Dane) your all fantastic at what you do and who you are.

Big hugs and kisses

Until next time

Xoxo

Rosie Lucia

By Rosie Lucia | Comments (0)

New York Fashion Week!

(February 24, 2010 – 11:35 am)

This month I was lucky enough to be asked to do hair for New York Fashion Week, as being part of the Creative Team at Studio DNA. It was such an exciting trip, not only because I was in New York for the first time but because I was in New York to be part of one of the biggest events in the fashion world.

This trip took a lot of preparation back home in LA. Our creative team had late night model runs where we would try different looks to show the designers so they could approve a final look. Once approved on final looks I was very excited counting down the days to our trip. The day finally arrived and we landed in NYC with the city covered in snow. I couldn’t wait to see what awaited for me in the next few days. The first day Aubrey and I went to go see the location where we would be doing hair for NCL Couture’s show. We were instantly excited when we saw the big space we had where Hair & Make up would be. It was an amazing space with huge windows & beautiful natural light. The next day the rest of our creative team arrived and we all quickly were on our way to do hair for our first show.

The look for our NCL Couture show was inspired by Marie Antoinette. Nicholas Clements-Lindsey, designer of NCL Couture, wanted a look that had a lot of height and width. So we created a lot of height while braiding the hair at the nape to give a variation of textures in the look.

Here is a video of our first show.

Our second show was for Project Runway’s Korto MoMolu. I was very excited to work on her show. We have previously done hair for her collection for LA FASHION Week in October. I was still inspired by her collections and was looking forward to her looks this season. Korto is one of my favorite designers to work for. I love her energy, her style, talent & most of all I love working with her. The look for her collection was a very high slick pony tail that was then braided with cloth to enhance the texture & definition. We also added synthetic hair braids to the models that were then wrapped around the pony into a bun to create height. One on the runway the models looked stunning. I actually got to watch this show and it was just amazing to hear the guests comments toward the show and compliment the look & hair. I felt very privileged to be able to be part of Korto’s Show again. Her collection was stunning!

Here are a few pictures from Korto’s show:

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During our free time of our trip, I got to enjoy a lot of the New York lifestyle which I really fell in love with. New York is such a beautiful city. I felt like I was walking through the pages of Nylon Magazine & GQ as I walked the streets. I cant wait to go back And it looks like we will!

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Me in SOHO

By Stephanie | Comments (0)

New York Fashion Week. Fall/Winter 2010

(February 23, 2010 – 9:36 pm)

Studio DNA’s creative team (including myself) was invited to work on two fabulous shows for this years New York fashion week. the first show was Korto Momolu of Project Runway, who was debuting her first post-show collection. Korto Momolu finds it extremely important to reflect her cultural background into all of her designs, and did not fall short for her fall/winter 2010 collection.This same northern African influence needed to come through in the hair as well. The Studio DNA creative team and Mizu NY teamed up to create a style that would create a contrast of textures and showcase rich fabric that would mirror that of the fashion.

The Look: Models had their hair swept back tightly into a high pony-tail. The excess hair in the pony-tail was braided into an African inspired bun. We then wove cloth into the braids to enhance the texture of the braiding. Models with hats wore the same look to one side of the head rather than center.

The Union Square Ballroom

“The fall 2010 collection is an eclectic blend of rich fabrics, detailed beading and infusion of northern African influences. It holds true to everything I am as a designer, focusing on fit, structure and detail.” Korto Momulu

The second fashion house we had the pleasure of working with was NCL Couture. Designer Nicholas Clements-Lindsey focused on stunning dresses and gowns, while integrates some luxury basics as well. The inspiration for the collection “was a movie mash-up between Roman Holiday and Dangerous Liasons, two classic movies whose marriage has created a runway full of wearable, timeless looks.” Nicholas Clements-Lindsey worked closely with the Studio DNA creative team to find a hairstyle that would be dramatic, yet not take the focus of the line.

The Look: Models wore hair that was reminiscent of Marie Antoinette with a modern touch. The hair was big and wide on the top and sides of the head then braided and tucked in the nape of the head to exentuate the head shape. NCL Couture shows a variety of designs that called for the hair to be off and tucked away from the neck.

NCL Couture

Needles to say, we had a fantastic time and are excited to bring back these styles and more to our clients in the salon.

By Audra | Comments (1)