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