(Editor’s note: the diary entries are published in descending chronological order, with the newest entry on top.)
Thursday, February 10, 2011 – Runway Show
BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway debuted its anticipated Fall 2011 collection this morning at Lincoln Center for New York Fashion Week. With hundreds of editors, buyers and celebrities packing the house, all of the endless hours of work came to fruition as 34 looks walked the runway.
Starting at 6:30 am, we greeted the day, excited for the show that we have all been working towards. With coffees in one hand and Blackberrys in the other, we arrived at Lincoln Center and began diligently unpacking and preparing for the event.
As the final hour approached, press photographers and videographers were backstage capturing the madness that ensues behind the curtain. Celebrity loyalists posed with Max as stylists, dressers and hair and makeup teams filled the room with amazing energy and excitement.
As always, the models were gorgeous and glamorous, and could be seen backstage in their lineup. While they danced around and laughed together, makeup artists hastily made last-minute touch-ups, dressers smoothed every last wrinkle and I offered words of encouragement. The model lineup, cast by the brilliant RM, included fresh faces such as Juju, Suzie, Monika and Maud, as well as runway alums Arizona, Sigrid, Frida and Jacquelyn.
The collection featured effortless looks with modern simplicity. With a tonal palette and flashes of brights, fluid dresses in elongated proportions glided down the runway to the sultry soundtrack of Sutja Gutierrez, The Naked & Famous, Colder and Fujiya & Miyagi.
Backstage was flooded once again with press and loyal fans offering congratulations, hugs and well-wishes for the incredible show. Our team packed up once again and rolled out of Lincoln Center to our showroom where we celebrated and toasted to one show down, two to go.
BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP would like to thank the following:
- Show Direction: Lynne O’Neill
- Stylist: Laura
- Casting: Russell
- Hair: Neil Moodie for Bumble and Bumble
- Makeup: Charlotte Willer for Maybelline New York
- Nails: OPI
- Music: Laurent Vacher, Labtonic
- Set Construction: Bernhard-Link Theatrical
- Lighting: IMCD Lighting
- Dressers: Quick Change Artistry
- All of the fans and supporters who watched the show live online and in Times Square!
(Read our review of the BCBGMAXAZRIA show and view the complete show in our runway gallery)
NEXT: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 – Final Preparations
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 – Final Preparations
It’s the eve before the BCBGMAXAZRIA show, and being that it’s the day before the show, there were many details to finalize. To get a little idea of all the t’s and i‘s that needed to be crossed and dotted, we thought it might be fun to show an edited list of what got done today:
- Model Rotation
- Create Finale and Run of Show
- Final fits and alterations
- Triple check all styling notes
- Create Model Boards
- Create Finale Board with all looks
- Hair and makeup tests and shots
- Create Hair and Makeup Boards
- Triple check all boards
- Triple check the bags of shoes, belts and bags
- Put shoe grips on boots
- Pack extra shoes
- Pack supply box
- Approve press kit materials
- Finalized press kits
- Finalized live stream details on times square billboard and visited times square to check it out
- Stuffed additional model survival kits for Times Square billboard give away and for tents
- Call with video production company to finalize live stream logistics on our site
- Finalized logistics of getting team to and from venue
- Spoke wtih VIP’s that are coming to show tomorrow to discuss details
- Team meeting to review backstage dressing and logistics
- Finalize guest list
- Finalize music for show
- Prepped supply boxes for backstage
- Group everything together at the end of day to easily roll out in the am
After another 12+ hour day for the team, we all feel confident and ready for tomorrow!
NEXT: Tuesday, February 8, 2011 – Runway Madness
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 – Runway Madness
Day 4 of Runway Madness! How does one sum up a day in just a couple paragraphs, when so much has happened that you could literally write a short novel? As we get closer to the show, our days are getting longer and so are the lists of tasks to accomplish.
We started the morning off with the NYLON TV crew. From there, we continued the castings for the shows, discussing music, makeup, finishing up boards for the shows while in the next room final fittings for BCBGMAXAZRIA continued.
Meanwhile, the visual team went to Lincoln Center to set up an installation that recognizes designers that demonstrate dedication to the use of quality materials, unique style and innovative design. Armed with pictures of the exhibit, entitled “Bound by Seduction”, the team returned filled with glee. Although we can’t reveal images just yet, we’ll be posting images at a later date so tune back in to see the final result once fashion week commences!
The most exciting part of the day was the speaking panel I participated in titled “A Life in Fashion” hosted by IMG, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Lincoln Center, for high school students in New York public schools and young public housing. Moderated by Wall Street Journal fashion writer Teri Agins and flanked by stylist Lori Goldstein, who’s styled celebrities such as Madonna and Rihanna; Patrick Robinson, executive vice president of global design at the Gap; and Terron Schaefer, executive vice president and chief creative officer at Saks Fifth Avenue, the panel spoke to students about how to break into the fashion industry, the dos and don’ts, and insight on what it’s like to work in the fashion world. Having the opportunity to share insight with the next generation of creative minds was an honor.
NEXT: Monday, February 7, 2011 – Fittings
Monday, February 7, 2011 – Fittings
Today we started off with a Vogue.com interview, giving a preview of some of the Fall 2011 BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway looks.
After Vogue.com wrapped, the team quickly changed gears to finalize the run of show for BCBG Runway. Starting at 11am, the team then began fittings, which took place every 30 minutes, and for the first time ever, 20 fittings were completed in just one day! Upon departure, with lots of care and love, each girl was given a special gift (check back later in the week to see who got what).
In between fittings and while our talented sewers worked away on each garment, production meetings continued. So as another day comes to an end, we leave the showroom earlier than anticipated, thrilled with all the work that was accomplished.
NEXT: Sunday, February 6, 2011 – Model Mania!
Sunday, February 6, 2011 – Model Mania!
As we roll into Sunday, it’s model mania! There were about 300 models who came through to strut for casting guru RM. By noon, all halls were filled with girls, and if that wasn’t enough to keep us busy, we also had a Herve Leger shoot that took place simultaneously. In between the never-ending lineup of beautiful ladies and the shoot, there were multiple meetings regarding hair and makeup, music for all three shows, and discussions on all things fashion week related.
With a long week ahead, the team is beyond excited as everything starts coming together for Fall Fashion week 2011.
Saturday, February 5, 2011 – A Second Round of Styling
A busy weekend for the BCBGMAXAZRIA team is an understatement. So much has happened in just 48 hours that it seems almost impossible to process the chain of events.
Whether it was a red-eye flight on a domestic airline carrier or a private jet, most of us arrived early this morning, ready to conquer a busy weekend. Today, runway consultant and stylist LF came into the showroom to work with BCBG Runway designer Abby and I for the second round of styling. This process is a full day affair where meticulous attention is paid to every detail of each garment down to the piping, the underpinnings, the shoes and the color palette. Gradually, as print outs are made of the styled looks, and posted on boards, the story of our Fall 2011 girl starts coming to life. Ending on a positive note, the team wraps at 8pm after a productive day, ready to begin another packed day.
