Backstage Beauty at Derek Lam

I was beyond excited to be invited backstage at the Derek Lam Spring 2012 show again by Estee Lauder.  It is such a treat to watch makeup artist Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder and his team work their magic on the models.  That's in addition to Jin Soon Choi for Estée Lauder and her team giving multiple manicures and pedicures and Orlando Pita handling multiple heads of hair.  I think a lot of people who see fashion runway shows forget how much work goes into them.  It really is a treat to see these masters at work. 

When I first arrived the backstage area seemed very quiet but it was because they were waiting for models to arrive from a previous show.  But it never seems to get very crazy since they always seem to have everything under control.  I also leave to take my seat before the models start getting dressed so that might explain the calm atmosphere.

Estée Lauder is kind enough to send me new products to review and I look forward to trying the new Limited Edition Gelee Bronzer that will be released in January 2012.

You can almost feel the love as Tom Pecheux massages the face of Estée Lauder spokesmodel Liu Wen's face with moisterizer.

A beauty look sheet is tacked up at each mirror for the makeup artists to refer to backstage.  Yellow was a color I saw on almost every runway show that I attended and Tom Pecheux used it on the eyes at Derek Lam.  He said he likes to challenge himself to use a color that might be considered frightening and make it work. I think he certainly succeeded.

Derek Lam was inspired for Spring 2012 by California and architect Richard Neutra.  Tom Pecheux used this as a jumping off point for the minimal California style make up.

Tools of the trade.

Tom Pecheux said with a sweep of his hand to indicate backstage, that "this is a dream.  Real life is tougher but you can give confidence with a bit of makeup."

Estée Lauder makup and tools were at every station.

Tom Pecheux doesn't have time to personally work on each model so members of his team work to recreate his vision.

It's so fun to observe backstage.

Tom Pecheux does personally check the work of his team and sent this model back for a little tweaking.

Tom has a wonderful French accent that makes it a pleasure to listen to him talk about his work.

Another workstation.

Tom Pecheux also has the most beautiful hands and skin.

More multi-tasking.

I love catching a model's reflection in the mirror.

Derek Lam said that he has worked with Tom Pecheux for eight years and it's clear that everyone has fun working together.

The Estée Lauder eyeshadow included Rain Boots on the lid highlighted with Cyber Copper brown shimmer all the way to the brow bone.

I love capturing candid moments but it's also nice when a model sees you and gives you a nice look. 

Jin Soon Choi for Estée Lauder used Nude Attitude which was a nice neutral to offset all the colorful clothing in the Derek Lam Spring 2012 collection.

There are a lot of photographers who just shoot beauty for which they make special lighting accessories.

More Estée Lauder makeup.

Even more Estée Lauder makeup.

More makeup artists.

The hair stations were separated from the beauty area which helped with the calmer atmosphere.

The look for the hair was a low ponytail slicked back with a side part. I saw a lot of ponytails on the runways for Spring 2012 and they all looked fresh.

Multi-tasking again.

Orlando Pito used Phyto products at Derek Lam.  Phytodefrisant is my daily go to products for my own hair.

I can't even imagine how much the models hair goes through not only for New York Fashion Week but then London, Milan and Paris.  I'm sure the resulting damage is why some have to go short occassionally.

Orlando Pita working his magic backstage above and below. Big thanks to Estée Lauder  for this unbelievable opportunity.  Next up will be a look backstage at Derek Lam as well as the runway show.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Breaking News: AERIN Lifestyle Brand

High Point Market isn't the only exciting thing happening this week.  It was just announced that Aerin Lauder will launch her own lifestyle brand named what else but AERIN.  The brand would include a cosmetics line to be sold at Estée Lauder counters as well as fashion, accessories, housewares, china, and jewelry much of which would be inspired by pieces owned and collected by Aerin's grandmother, Estée Lauder.  “I’m thrilled to continue playing an active role in the iconic Estée Lauder brand, including serving as global brand ambassador and spokesperson,” she said in the statement. “At the same time, I look forward to pursuing my vision to create the AERIN brand.”

I for one applaud her.  It would have been very easy for her to continue on at Estée Lauder but to tackle a new project is always exciting and challenging and what makes life interesting.  Aerin Lauder is one of the most searched names on my blog so I know that this new venture will be a huge success.  I'm especially excited about her plans to enter the home market and who knows, maybe we will see her at High Point someday!  In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of her own fabulous homes including the one in the Hamptons that she inherited from Estée Lauder.  It was shot most recently for Elle Decor but also for Vogue Living and decorated for Christmas for House & Garden.  Her Manhattan apartment isn't too shabby either and the closet which was photographed by Harper's Bazaar is still one of my favorites.  I will definitely keep you posted when I hear more about AERIN the brand and woman.

Aerin Lauder's New York apartment was designed by Jacques Grange.  The living room includes art by Yves Klein and Lucio Fontana.

The arm chairs in the living room are by Jean-Michel Frank while the floor lamp is by Alberto Giacometti.

In the Manhattan dining room, the ceiling fixture is Ruhlmann, the painting by Alberto Burri and don't ask me the paint color because it's a custom color by Donald Kaufman.

"I like houses that are cozy but not cluttered," Aerin Lauder told The New York Times. "And I like things that are inviting and warm — plump pillows, soft blankets, comfortable sofas. Even the colors I favor — browns, golds, soothing blues — are welcoming."

In the library in New York, the coffee table is by Jean Royere.

The chairs in the entry also seem to match the one in her dressing room.

Framed artwork by her sons hang along side portraits by Neil Winokur in the breakfast area in the kitchen.

The enviable dressing room that also serves as a home office features gorgeous hand painted wallpaper by Gracie.

The vintage desk from the 1970's by Gabriella Crespi came from Estée Lauder.

A dressing table tableau of children's toys and jewelry.

Another view of the dressing room.

Shoes glorious shoes!

Aerin and her family expanded the East Hampton house she inherited from her grandmother to suit the needs of her family.

Love the burnt orange walls in the Hamptons living room.

The coffee table is by Willy Rizzo.

The main living room mixes pale lavender walls with blue and white porcelain.

Another view of the main living room.

When the main living room was shot for House & Garden, you could see the fireplace wall.

The blue dining room with more blue and white porcelain that Aerin says Estée loved.

In the House & Garden feature, a console was filled with holiday treats.

And the table was set with gorgeous china and presents for Christmas.

The kitchen in East Hampton also features her son's artwork and an Elsworth Kelly.

Aerin in the kitchen for House & Garden.

A Chip Hooper photograph sits behind the desk in the library in East Hampton.

Another shot of the library as seen in House & Garden.

I love the graceful curving staircase.

The master bedroom features fabric by Michael Divine and linens by Leontine.

Mementos on the bedside table.

Another view of the master bedroom.

A guest bedroom is clad in toile. 

In Estée Lauder's former bedroom, Pierre Frey fabric covers the walls, chairs and bed.

The dressing table with a photo of Estée Lauder and lots of her perfumes.

One son has an Andy Warhol silkscreen hanging in his room.

Her other son has a room clad in fabric from Quadrille and a stuffed animal chair by Fernando and Humberto Campagna.

The beautiful gardens in East Hampton.

Aerin was photographed for Jonathan Becker in 2005 for Vogue.

The chic pool house and a fabulous vintage Mercedes convertible outside the house below.

Photos by Francois Halard for House & Garden, William Waldron and Simon Upton for Elle Decor and Eric Boman for Vogue Living