Mercedes-Benz Spring ’12 Fashion Week NYC: Hyden Yoo

The Hyden Yoo spring 2012 collection was inspired by the Oscar nominated film L’amant, reviving a 1920s look and playing off the plot’s romance between an expat and a South Asian native during neocolonialism. Guests strolled through the tent and canopied patio at the Cabana of the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea, and enjoyed the presentation, French music and cocktails.

“For hair, I’m going for that cooler young lady who’s fooling with the local,” said Marco Santini of ION Studio for Davines. While drawing on the style of the era, Santini added a tousled twist to hair. First, he curled the entire head and let hair set, with the help of Davines Defining Texturizer styling spray. Next, he pinned the waves at the front of the head and sprayed them with Defining Invisible Hair Spray for hold. Santini then used a soft bristle brush to separate the ringlets, beginning at the back of the head, to achieve a playful fuzziness. Finally, he sprayed hair with a mix of For Wizards Sea Salt Primer No. 14, to achieve an uncombed beachy look, and an abundance of Defining Invisible Hair Spray for hold, and tucked and pinned hair under to complete the messy '20s-inspired bob.

For the makeup, Jennifer Chen for M.A.C. also concentrated on the '20s. “I wanted to show that tomboy style that South Asian women of the time wore but show that they’re still women,” Chen said. She achieved a toned-down tomboy look with a palette that paired with the light fabrics and warm earth-toned clothing. Chen kept face makeup sheer and added a hint of metallic bronze on the brow and cheek bones for shimmer. She added a bright feminine pop to lips, using dusty rose and deep red stains. The overall effect was humid and dewy, inspired by the South Asian climate. —Kristen Heinzinger

Marco Santini for Davines