Vena Cava Spring 2010 RTW

Powdered faces and soft, smoky eyes.

“It’s sophisticated, graphic and designed, but it’s still wearable,” said Lloyd Simmonds, who created faces using MAC products. Models, who donned dramatic black visors and dark sunglasses during the show, were given a velvety violet lip with a flat finish to balance the bold accessories. “This is a very important color in the collection,” said Simmonds, who hand-mixed the matte lavender shade for the presentation using four different shades of MAC Pro Lipmix in White, Burgundy, Red, and Blue. As a final touch, eyes were defined with black mascara on top and bottom lashes. “It’s a New York look,” he said. “It’s a girl who’s a little bit done.”

Nails, the new must-be-noticed runway accessory (see below), were a similar mix of business casual, a turquoise/cobalt shade Butter London’s Nonie Creme whipped up especially for the occasion. “We’re calling it Corporate Blue,” she said of the bright lacquer (inspired by the background in a Staples office supplies ad ... hey, don't knock it, lol).



Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock’s spring collection for Vena Cava like the beauty that enhanced it, demonstrated an exercise in cool, controlled femininity. And, again, I must confess to holding my breath in hopes of collections that make my heart go pitter patter from the other designers that present this season as this one leaves me completely flat. Well, except for some of the shoes; the shoes in the collection are fab!