The finale of my special reports from New York Fashion Week includes an exclusive backstage report from the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2013 show. Last week Tuesday, I chatted with the designer, mingled with models Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls and interviewed Revlon’s Gucci Westman again—all fashion royalty.
Amazing accessories, beautiful ball-gowns, colored hair extensions and rows of shoes filled backstage. When I asked Mr. de la Renta what inspired his latest collection he coolly said, “Woman. The woman who can afford my designs.”
For the make-up, the ever-talented Gucci Westman wanted something bright and matte on the lips to match the simple contour on the face and complement the hotly colored hair extensions that models sported in pink, green, yellow and blue.
When I asked de la Renta to share the tips he gave to Westman on what types of looks he wanted his models to wear he said, “Make the girls look their very best, soft, feminine, very beautiful. Gucci [Westman] is a great professional and knows what she’s doing.”
And indeed she did. “A little bit of Holly Golightly with a modern and punky twist,” she said. “The Oscar de la Renta girl is expensive and gorgeous. She always has to look good.”
On the accessories table were brightly colored floral pieces, charming earrings and crystal encrusted brooches.
For the shoes were a mixture of heels, sandals and perforated peep-toe booties all by the designer.
And then there were the clothes. Racks full of colorful stock in various fabrics like organza, silk and tweed. Each look labeled for a model along with swatches of fabric and pictures from their previous fittings.
The models started live fittings about two hours prior to the show. As they stripped unabashedly in front of dozens of people our cameras were asked not to shoot, however, once they had the gowns, suits and dresses on it was free reign and we were able to capture the final moments before the show.
As Oscar de la Renta and his team continued to look on and make final comments and adjustments I ventured to other side of the room where the show was about to take place in less than an hour. As members of his team live tweeted and pinned backstage happenings online, press started to fill in slowly for pre-show interviews with the designer.
When I asked Mr. de la Renta if he had a favorite piece he instantly replied, “All of them. All of them are my favorite, or I wouldn’t be showing any.”
