HABITUALLY CHIC DESIGN®

The best part of going backstage before the Fall 2012 Derek Lam fashion show is that you can see the clothes and accessories up close. The models walk so fast during the runway shows that it's easy to miss the shoes and bag not to mention the jewelry. I also love to see the fabrics and patterns while they are standing still. I didn't get to talk to Derek this time but I did overhear him mention that Chinatown is a favorite movie. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it for the chic period costumes and Faye Dunaway.

Another fun aspect to this particular show were the male models backstage. At first we all thought they might be walking but it turned out they were just very chic ushers who directed guests to their seats. Speaking of seats, I had a great front row seat and was able to get some great runway shots that I'll post later. But now I'm off to another show. Somebody has to do it.

Love that Derek Lam is also an Aries and uses ram hardware on his handbags.

My front row seat.

Anna Wintour being escorted to her seat.

Aerin Lauder heading to her seat.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Thanks to my friends at Estée Lauder, I was invited to cover the backstage beauty before the Derek Lam show again this season. It's always amazing to see how many hours of work go into a 10 minute runway show. Estée Lauder and Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux creates the Face Chart that his team will recreate on all the models. For Fall 2012, the products they used include a new Two Tone Eye Opening Mascara in Bold Black/Rich Brown that will debut in April. Tom Pecheux said that one should use black mascara on the top lashes to open the eyes and brown on the bottom lashes. He also used a little white shadow in the middle of the Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Pink.

Orlando Pita and his team worked their magic on the hair which represented a girl who was "well bred but doesn't follow all the rules." The hair isn't too perfect and a little messy and slightly inspired by the 1960's. Some girls had all their hair up while others had a bit left down. It required a lot of backcombing and hairspray which I thought my asphyxiate us all backstage. It was worth it though because the entire look was beyond chic and complemented the Fall 2012 Derek Lam collection perfectly.