The HALEH NEMATZADEH spring 2010 collection showing

TEXT, VIVIAN G. KELLY
Runway and backstage photos by Chervine, Courtesy of Edite

TIME & PLACE: @ 8:00p.m.,
the Morrison Hotel Gallery, 313 Bowery, downtown NYC

This is one rookie designer we really want to see succeed because she’s talented yes, but even more so because her designs evoke the seventies and eighties. When looking at a Haleh sequined sheath, we’re thrown into a time machine when we wore out our pointy sharp snakeskin flats out on the floor of the Palladium.

Backstage
Happily, the eighties reference didn’t extend to the eye makeup. We’ve grown a bit tired of the black “raccoon eyes” that have been going strong on the runways for the past 3 years. The look has filtered down to mainstream, so that every high school girl is wearing the look, which means it’s time for something new.
Makeup lead Andie Markoe Byrne and Haleh came up with a “Twilight” [the movie] inspired theme. To achieve the twinkle effect Andie and the MAKEUP FOREVER team used diamond dust for a look that was ethereal rather than harsh. The only pop was the lacquered red lips of the season [#205 lipstick if you’re game].

Our favorite HAIR DRESSERS, ANTHONY PALERMO and LEONARD ZAGAMI were on hand creating the hair with BAREX Italiana Haircare products that had pretty glow-in-the-dark ribbons coiled through it.
A Barex spokeswoman told us that the trend going forward is for “a less made-up look”. In fact the Anthony Leonard team didn’t use ANY hot tools, quite a departure from the super smooth looks that have been popular forever it seems.
For a soft look, they used only 3 BAREX products:
1. Gloss hairspray to get the hair to hold in place.
2. Redefine Crème to smooth hair
3. Gum Gum to give the hair some hold

For Barex haircare, visit, www.oloffbeauty.com
To learn more about the Anthony Leonard Salon, visit, www.anthonyleonardsalon.com

THE SHOW
There was a definite fantasy element running through the collection starting when LYDIA HEARST opened the show in a white cyber fairy outfit that was a feat of construction. Mixed in between the fantastical wire and gauze petal winged dress and skirt were some laid back tanks with deep armholes, matched with parachute pants. Another strong eighties reference – the Dynasty style/football player sized shoulder pads in the peach mini coatdress and a silver lame strapless cocktail dress. Gold grommets here, there and everywhere gave a strong eighties feel to the collection.
There were some awkward moments like the white leather and chainmail bondage dress that didn’t work. If you want to channel “Pretty Woman” slip on a pair of the thigh high white leather boots with gold grommets.
The last few outfits came out lit only by the purple florescent lights bordering the runway. The lighting served to show-off the dayglow ribbons in the girls’ hair but made it tricky to see the clothes.