For Betsey Johnson's Fall 2013 comeback collection of whimsical gymwear, models and the designer staged an aerobics class down the runway at Lincoln Center Monday evening. Rodney Cutler, lead stylist for Redken, took a night off from coifed red carpet 'dos and played with theatrical wigs and texture to create a style to match the energy and creativity of the show. "The wig is an expression of this beautiful crazy girl who’s kicking ass with Betsey Johnson," Cutler said.
Cutler began by smoothing hair into a tight ponytail at the back of the head and applied Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil to the lengths. Models with shorter hair wore temporary tape-in extensions. He then added a wig cap, pulled the ponytail through and placed the wig on, securing with a few stitches. These "flying saucer" shaped wigs were prepared in advance with bright, contrasting color applied to the roots and ends. Using fingers to fluff the wig, he added texture with a sprinkle of Powder Grip 03 and finished with a flat-iron on the ponytail.
Makeup and nails were equally theatrical with a mix of manic mod and Peggy Moffitt. Dominick Briguglio, lead makeup artist for Stila Cosmetics, painted on a dramatic cat-eye fit for Barbie with dark black liner and bright aqua shadow extending well beyond the eye. He applied Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera to cheeks and lips to finish the look. Models wore black and white nails emblazoned with the letters 'B', 'J', 'K', and 'A' for her slogan this season, Betsey Johnson Kicks A. —Jennifer Barnes