Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2013 NYC: Rachel Roy

This morning, I had the pleasure of attending the Spring 2013 collection presentation for one of my favorite designers, Rachel Roy, held at her studio in Times Square.  Additionally wonderful was to see Ted Gibson, the lead hair stylist for the presentation.

Gibson has been working Rachel's show's for years and knows always how to deliver the perfect style to complement her gorgeous clothes as he notes it's easy because Rachel really knows her girl.

With the inspiration for Roy's Spring 2013 collection a chic NYC uptown girl that visits the downtown galleries, the vibe of the clothes is classy city-girl cool amped up with elegant silhouettes and touches of youthful, urban femininity. Neon pinks and oranges, Roy girly signature prints and unexpected piping, edging and other details are present throughout the pieces.

Highlighting this whimsical smart girl was Gibson's sleek pony. Gibsn noted the pony's placement on the head was key in conveying the look. "The ponytail had to be young and fresh," he said. "I wasn't going to go too high as it would look too cheerleader-like and too low ends up being very sophisticated and a little old."

Directly in the center of the back of the head provided the perfect balance of young, but still quite chic. Additionally, the pony is a bit mussed up as Gibson said he didn't want it to be too contrived. Hair from the bottom was wound around the ponytail base for an added detail.

To get this look, Gibson sprayed Build It Blow Drying Agent throughout the hair to add texture. Next he gathered the hair into a ponytail in the middle of the head using a bungee and then took a small piece of the hair from the bottom and wrapped it around the bungee, securing it with pins. Hair was lightly pulled from the top to mess it up a bit. It was then finished with Beautiful Hold Hairspray.

For the nails, lead nail artist for Essie Michelle Saunders used the pretty neutral Boy Best Friend for the hands, and for the feet a special concoction. First a coat of Blanc, Essie's true white to provide a back light for one coat of the bright Canyon Coral.— Jolene Turner