Last night’s Vfiles NYFW Runway show continued to serve as a platform for emerging fashion talents while reiterating it’s status as a leading force for the future of fashion.
With 5 designers: Kim Shui, Anton Belinskiy, Ottolinger, Hardeman, and Neuro Couture, over 60 models, DJ A-Trak live on the turn tables, an opening act from singer Sophie Beem, accompanied by dancers, a drum line, and a concert like performance by king Gold Chains Tyga, the showcase was more of an extravaganza. Fun, lively, and chaotic, were the overall feelings of the massive 3-combined maze-like rooms that made up the backstage area at Spring Studios. We got a chance to catch up with hair extraordinaire Rodney Cutler for Cutler-4-Redken. Check out our exclusive interview below.
Rodney Cutler
Can you tell us about the hair inspiration for the show today?
Rodney – Well we’re working with 4 different Designer so it’s sort of a unique situation for the show. Normally you do one look one designer. We have some natural hair but with that sort of lived in texture, walk of shame hair if you know what I mean. Next we have some big curls that were going to brush out. Because there is so much texture in Kim Shui’s clothing we really want this sort of Avant-garde, quirky shape, really over the top texture, which will be fantastic. Then we also have some wigs. The wigs are extremely geometric, which you don’t see a lot of in fashion shows, it’s more like a hair show. The designers of Ottolinger really wanted something graphic and strong. I think it’s a bit more cool, it’s different, it’s more theatrical than what we are used to doing and more creative rather than just doing a ponytail that we see all the time. It’s really fun!
Can you tell us about some of the products you are using to achieve these looks?
Rodney – You know its funny we use hairspray… a lot! Whether we’re doing a sleek ponytail or adding texture. I’m using Fashion Work 12 to add that bass. Hairsprays are very unique now. They have the anti-humidity, which repels humidity, they add shine, they obviously add hold and it’s just a multi-purpose product that we use in so many ways. So that’s really what I’m using here Fashion Work 12 by Redken.
You are currently using a tiny curling iron for this look. Can you tell us about the technique here and how people can do it at home?
Rodney – This style we’re doing, anyone can do this at home. What we’re doing is spiral wrapping the hair around the iron and then just bring it thru. What that does is makes it sit out a little wider and then we’re going to brush it out. It takes a long time as you can see because we’re using small sections of hair, like a pencil because we want the base to pop and make sure it sort of pokes out and doesn’t sit too flat. So you have to do it section by section, that is the key so that it is away from the root. It’s a simple technique. Anyone can do it at home its just maybe you have to get your significant other to help you otherwise you’ll be late for the party (laughs)
As we are here for the fall 2016 collections, can you tell us what you think will be the top hair trends for fall 2016?
Rodney – You know I’ve done some hair test already and I’ve seen a little bit of just cool, young, natural hair. And today I was doing a hair test and the clothes were quite sort of British and herringbone style. So the hair was a bit romantic, retro-y, but looked young and fresh. I think that’s the key when you see looks from the past, it’s how you interpret it and make it modern. So you might incorporate a French twist or a ponytail or have the front out. This season I think we’re going to see a lot of hair up, a lot of texture and I think it will be a fun season. Fall is generally a bit more creative. But you never know how a designer is going to see it, because at the end it’s all about pairing, like wine with food. It’s what’s going to work with the clothes and not just for runway but for someone who’s wearing it. It’s what’s the outfit with the hair? What are you wearing? What is the mood? What’s the perception you want to get across? And I think that’s a takeaway from Fashion Week.
Backstage Fashion week has a sort of madness and hectic environment. How do you feel working in such environments?
Rodney – Well we’re doing 26 shows. It’s a big part of our company here at Cutler Redken. It’s always an adrenaline rush. I’ve done it for a long time, over 20 years of Fashion Week and I don’t get bored of it because no matter how big or small the show is you have that adrenaline and anxiety of doing a great job for the designer. So I get a rush and I leave exhausted but until the last model walks out on that runway looking amazing you are never content. And you’re only as good as your last show so as long as they’ll have me back, I’ll keep coming back!
We also got a chance to chat it up with Key Manicurists Grace Kingsley and Stefania Flex. Here’s what they had to say.
Key Manicurists
Designer Kim Shui has a unique nail look. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind it?
Stefania – Well Kim just wanted something to go along with her looks. Her socks are metallic – silver and gold so she wanted silver and gold on the hands to complete the look.
You both are working on one hand. It seems intense. I wish people were here to see it. Can you tell us about the technique you both are using?
Grace – We are tag teaming! One of us is painting a clear base coat on and the other is technically applying the glitter. We get a really good coverage by pouring the glitter onto the nails and shaking off the excess. After that, we apply a top coat to seal the glitter in. We are using a very shiny, holographic glitter so we get a nice effect when the light hits it.
Can you tell us about some of the Fall 2016 nail trends and what trend is your favorite?
Grace – I think we’re going to get a lot of metallic coming in with foil effects. Last season we had the shattered glass manicure and this season I think is going to be more rustic. So not such sharp edges but a bit more sort of pressed onto the nail so it looks metallic without being an intense color. That will be my favorite as well and it’s just so nice and easy to do yourself so I think it’s going to be a good one for the fall season.
After the interviews were done we hung around to watch the show and got to experience the amazingness that is Vfiles. It is Vfiles belief that the youth decides the future of fashion, which was represented by it’s millennial audience. Front Row notable guest included Tyga, Fabolous, Justine Skye, Kylie Jenner, Ty Hunter, Shaun Ross, and Diggy Simons. Front Row cool kids in attendance included Luka Sabbat, Sita Abellan, Ashley Smith, Malachai Spivey, Alexis Jae, and Anne Trevellan.
Check out more of my photo coverage below:
