Direct from the Runway: Academy of Art University

Last season, one of my favorite shows of Fashion Week was most definitely the show put on by the students in the Masters program at Academy of Art University. From the moment I walked in, I was blown away by the size and scale of it all. Throughout the show, cheers erupted from the crowd and there was such a sense of fun and excitement in the air. This season, I'm sorry to say that this show really didn't hold the same momentum. I'm not sure exactly what it was ... perhaps it was the change in venue (last season's was in the grandiose Tent, while this season's was in the smaller Promenade), or maybe it was that the collections just really didn't seem to hold as much in design elements as the ones previously. There were definitely a few highlights, but I'd definitely have to say that the makeup and hair outshone the clothing accompanying them. So why don't I just focus on those, then?

HAIR
I absolutely love when a hairdo is multifaceted. The juxtaposition between the severity that an updo can provide with what is actually going on in the back of the head is simply fascinating to me. And the hairdos coming down the runway at this show were among my favorites thus far. Tresses were slicked back in the front so that I was led to believe that they would be pulled into a tight, not-so-exciting bun. But once I got a look at the back of the models' heads, I literally did a double-take. Locks were braided and then intricately looped around, forming an amazing update of the classic French twist. While I am probably nowhere near dexterous enough to pull this off myself, I definitely want to have it done for me the next time I go to a fancy event!

MAKEUP
I have to say I was blown away by the makeup at this show. Skin was literally glowing, and the apples of the models' cheeks were brushed with a hot pink that, rather than looking costumey or over the top, really seemed to work well here with the clothing. Lashes were long, long, long -- which I totally loved -- and eyes were swept with fuchsia shadow all the way up to the browbone and out past the outer corners. Again, rather than seeming crazy or too out there, it really looked amazing! Lips were mattefied with hot pink lipstick. The overall effect was both a throwback to the 80s and a
look toward the future, especially when paired with the gorgeous honeycomb-inspired skirt from Felice Morganti's collection, which you can see here:


NAILS
What's my favorite color for nails? None other than hot pink! So I was super-excited to see this exact shade coming down the runway. While I might shy away from using this color on my fingernails, my toes will definitely be tapping with tons of variations of this lacquer come fall.

*All photos are the sole property of The Beauty of Life.