With a stirring performance by his muse, American Ballet Theater sensation Cory Stearns, to open the show, visionary designer Zang Toi sent his models down the runway in his enchanting dance-inspired collection, Ballet Babe. Floaty silk gowns aglitter with exquisite patterns of sequins or profusions of silk blossoms accented with jet beads, including a spectacular silk gazar “Black Swan” ballgown enhanced with a stunning trellis design in black grosgrain, were on gorgeous display at the highly anticipated Zang Toi Spring/Summer 2014 Show at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. Known for high drama and show-stopping opulence, Zang remarked, “This time I want to surprise the audience. There’s a flow and a fluidity to the clothes inspired by the beauty of the ballerina.”
er collection I have exactly what I need to create looks that stand out on the runway while keeping hair healthy,” says Eiji. Elegant, barely there make-up by lead make-up artist Rudy Miles of Beautybyrudy and “Black Swan” nail color by Zoya completed the look. Here, Eiji details the art and craft of creating the ultimate Ballet Babe chignon.
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I lightly lift it through the hair above the ponytail to keep it from going flat at the back of the head.
« To create the finger waves on the sides, I take sections of the loose hair from each side of the middle part. One at a time, I spray the section with René Furterer LISSEA thermal protecting smoothing spray. This helps to protect hair against the heat from the curling iron. I also like that it’s very light. Using a medium-barrel curling iron, I roll the section toward the head.
moother finish I go over the ponytail with a flat iron. To make the Ballet Babe chignon, I take the ponytail, make a big loop and roll it toward the base of the ponytail so that the finished chignon sits on the nape of the neck. This results in a full, dramatic chignon. To maximize fullness, I lightly fan it out a little with my fingers or use the tail and teeth of a rattail comb to finesse the shape.
« The Ballet Babe chignon calls for long, thick tresses, so if a model has shorter hair we fake it with beautiful 100% human hair extensions from Fantasy Fashion Hair. Whether faux or real, all chignons are given a final misting with René Furterer VEGETAL FINISHING SPRAY. This gives the chignon more staying power without leaving it stiff or sticky, and also adds a beautiful satiny luster. Last, the waves are unclipped and we’re ready for the runway.
[Images courtesy of John M. Craig for Rene Furterer]
