Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NYC Spring/Summer 2009: Rodarte

Odile applying gold foil to a model's hair at Rodarte

Odile applying gold foil to a model's hair at Rodarte

I braved the rain and the crowds again on Tuesday for an insider's look at the hairstyles key hairstylist for Aveda Odile Gilbert was creating for the futuristic Rodarte collection shown at the Gagosian Gallery on 21st Street in Chelsea. This was definitely a hot ticket: Vogue's Anna Wintour and daughter Bee Shaffer, designer Diane von Furstenberg and Natalie Portman were just a few of the heavy hitters who attended the show. Backstage, Gilbert was gently blowing sheets of real silver and gold foil onto modified chignons that were slathered with Aveda Brilliant Retexturizing Gel. Air Control Hair Spray further held the sheets in place. Key makeup artist for M.A.C. James Kaliardos gravitated toward orange hues again for the makeup look, applying a bright orange pigment to the eyelids and a dusty coral shade on lips and cheeks. The brows were brushed up and the lashes left bare. Meanwhile, celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann applied a shade of shade of sandy taupe polish to fingernails and toenails appropriately named Fashion. It was still raining after the show, but fortunately Aveda had an environmentally friendly fleet of covered bicycle pedicabs at the ready to whisk guests off to their next shows. —Lotus Abrams, managing editor

A model walking the runway at Rodarte

A model walking the runway at Rodarte

The finished look at Rodarte

The finished look at Rodarte