Finishing NYFW with a bang - Oscar de la Renta’s beautiful garden with arches set the tone for their fall collection. Bold red lips and statement handbags. I admire Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim’s eye. They truly know how to dress the modern woman. (They dressed Regina King and Lupita Nyong'o for the Oscars).
It’s hard to really grasp the concept that your work is going to made into a mural until you actually see it. I visited the corner of West Broadway and Grand St. in Soho, NY last week to see my image taken for Oscar de la Renta being painted by Colossal Media.
I stared up at the brick wall across from Felix’s restaurant. The painting is so real with so much detail, it’s incredible. If you get a chance, go visit the mural - up until mid February.
Credit: BTS images taken by ODLR
Shooting for Oscar de la Renta is always a dream. Violins played a soft ballad while Bella Hadid opened the show on the Spring studios terrace. Sister Gigi followed towards the end. Thankfully the rain held off for the show to complete. Being one of the few photographers allowed on the terrace, I felt engulfed in this secret community of beauty. I smile thinking about the experience and have to pinch myself to remind myself of the honor being at this iconic show.
The Academy Mansion was the perfect setting for Oscar de la Renta's romantic bridal lookbook and the vibrant silhouettes of the resort collection.
My day started early with Oscar, creating some fun GIFS on the set of their SS19 Bridal photoshoot (which you can see them on their Instagram). The afternoon was spent capturing the backstage madness of the resort collection. All images were captured for Oscar's social team showing the hair and makeup process, empty runway and first looks on the staircase in real-time for their followers.
I am finally catching up on my blog coverage from NYFW. I figured I would combine all my T Magazine coverage into one post.
I shot the always envelope pushing Eckhaus Latta. Located in Bushwick warehouse, models sported see through outfits, slicked back hair and green clay swiped on their arms and body. I created one of my favorite bodies of work - hence the separation omy website. It felt different than my past NYFW coverage and I felt it was strong enough to stand alone as a unique reportage of the show and designer's creative outlook.
Definitely a contrast to Oscar de la Renta. Held at Sotherby's, the location alone expresses the difference in the designers aesthetic. Splatter paint dresses, sequins and pant suits graced the halls and escalator entrance of the runway. Bella was certainly the star as photographer's flocked her getting her makeup done. Nicki Minaj, Paris and Nikki Hilton, and Zosia Mamet were in attendance alongside Anna Wintour.
Lastly, I wrapped my T Magazine coverage with Carolina Herrera. She hosted the first ever fashion show at the MOMA. Iconic. The bright bold color collection accompanied the greens in the garden. Lily Aldridge, Cameron Dallas andMichelle Monaghan sat front row in support of the designer. Models dressed and prepped amongst the greatest pieces of art and installations in their I heart NY t-shirts.
For more ... check out T Magazine's New York Fashion Week Recap and Favorite's from Fashion Month
I've felt a little bit like Carrie Bradshaw these past two days getting to spend my hours staring at beautiful designs in Oscar de la Renta's showroom.
On Tuesday I spent the day covering fittings. Peter puts a ton of detail into the fittings, looking at the model at least 3 times prior to approving the look. With such precision, he tweeks the outfit until it is perfection. The set is completely quiet, minus the faint Kid Cudi music playing on the laptop of the photographer capturing photos of the looks.
Day of show, there were many familiar faces. I got to work with Esther Langham again, who was doing ponies on all the models. The effortless pony was chic and ideal for any resort look. The looks ranged from tweed jackets to ball gowns bright in colors. Turquoise belts and chains of jewels added to the looks for extra glam.
Being a presentation, I had the capability to shoot backstage for the first show and runway for the following two shows. The intimate crowds at each viewing, provided me with space to shoot from multiple angles while not being confined to a "pit" with 30+ photographers. Peter got up at the beginning of each presentation and talked about the collection very informally before joining the group himself to watch.
Oscar de la Renta is a brand anyone would be honored to work for and I am just filled with joy that I could spend time photographing for them this week.
For more images check out their Instagram.
Top Supermodel Carolyn Murphy honestly looks like an angel in person. She welcomed me into her hotel room at The Lowell where she was getting ready with her glam team. She was the sweetest, offered me champagne, asked what she could do for me in terms of photography. She discussed friends Christy and Linda. Even with just first names, it's clear who she was referring to.
Murphy kept taking calls in the bedroom, being very secretive. Later, to discover she planned to have a cake and champagne brought up from room service for Makeup artist and close friend Romy's birthday. She gave a touching toast and gleamed at how much she loves and adores her as a long time friend. The bond and friendship they created over the years was evident.
We discussed thong colors for under the dress like we were picking which cocktail on the menu we wanted during happy hour. She told me tricks of the trade that I will keep secret and take to my grave. I shared a few of my own, she either was impressed or rolling her eyes behind the smile.
Peter arrived at the hotel room door. One last look in the mirror. Romy gave her blotting papers and lip balm for her tiny bag and told her how to apply her lipstick during the Gala if she needs a touch up. Then we were off.
She said how these events aren't really her style. She's much more quiet and reserved and people expect her to be much crazier since she is a Supermodel. "Watch, I'll end up dancing on a table smoking cigarettes in an hour," she jokes. She isn't part of the social media famous millennial generation attending the Gala this year, who focus more on the after parties than the money being raised for the Costume Institute. She's the OG of models and a true talent. She is graceful and poised. The true definition of Supermodel.
Two minutes after she left, Cindy Crawford exited the lobby with Oliver Rousteing of Balmain. I told her she look beautiful and she smiled back saying thank you and hello.
My life is complete.
Hair by Esther Langham | Makeup by Romy Soleimani | Custom Dress by Oscar de la Renta | Date Peter Copping
