Opera Carolina Rocked New York Fashion Week
Opera Recycles presented by Opera Carolina showed their eco-friendly fashion collection during Couture Fashion Week New York‘s 26th season on Saturday, September 9, 2017, at the Crowne Plaza in Times Square with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
Opera Carolina & WarPaint International Rocked Couture Fashion Week in NYC
Opera Recycles presented by Opera Carolina showed their eco-friendly fashion collection during Couture Fashion Week New York‘s 26th season on Saturday, September 9, 2017, at the Crowne Plaza in Times Square.
“Opera Carolina Rocked Couture Fashion Week in NYC including a Times Square Takeover.”
The launch pad for New York Fashion Week could not have been better positioned. This year, Opera Carolina created their own show at the New York Couture Fashion Week, giving sustainable fashion enthusiasts an opportunity to see the stunning creations from the Opera Recycles initiative up close and in person. This show gave Opera Carolina an amazing opportunity to showcase Opera Recycles and their commitment to environmental conservation on a national scale. It also gave WarPaint International Creative Director, Jessica Mae an opportunity to showcase a talent often buried behind her core function of executive leadership and bridal application. And showcase she did...
Opera Carolina and WarPaint International Beauty Agency team up to deliver bold, striking looks to compliment opera-based recycle-design sustainable dresses.
Fashion Week Dream Team
Opera Carolina Marketing Director, Megan Miller, teamed up with Jessica Mae, Founder of WarPaint International Beauty Agency from Minneapolis, MN to design high-power makeup and hair concepts. Jessica brings 12 years of experience in her field with creative makeup design and production in the beauty industry. Her company, WarPaint International, is a Midwest Minnesota beauty agency founded in 2010 and based in Minneapolis.
“I was humbled and ecstatic to be invitied to curate the beauty behind Opera Carolina’s Couture Fashion Week runway show.”
WarPaint International produces spring and fall trend development for various looks that everyday women can speak to and wear with confidence. This core focus has been the artistic direction for the company since its inception which speaks to the message of sustainability being driven by Opera Recycles. Jessica Mae was accompanied by WarPaint International’s Director of Education, Katie Rote to help design and curate the hair and makeup looks for Opera Carolina’s entire runway collection, alongside WarPaint Minneapolis Market Manager & Artisan, Mariah Jere and members of the WarPaint International Manhattan team.
The recycled dress designs. The opera inspired looks.
Designers showing their looks included Kristen Alyce, Lyndsee Hairston, Malou Tabada Cordery, Emily Kramer, Venie Tadeo, Sarah Danee and Rocio Llusca. Hair and makeup curated and styled by yours truly - WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
Pagliacci
Pagliacci is an Italian opera in a prologue and two acts, with music and libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo. It is the only Leoncavallo opera that is still widely performed. This look was specifically curated to create the feel and emotion of the proverbial tragic clown.
Model: Hannah Duke | Photography: Geometria
Rigoletto
Rigoletto is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo. Despite serious initial problems with the Austrian censors who had control over northern Italian theaters at the time, the opera had a triumphant premiere at La Fenice in Venice on 11 March 1851.
Model: Madison Hicks | Photography: Benjamin Huynh (left) & Geometria
La Traviata
La Traviata, (The Fallen Woman) is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La Dame aux Camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. It was first performed on 6 March 1853 at the La Fenice opera house in Venice.
Model: Lulu Ambrose | Photography: Geometria
I Dream
I DREAM is a largely through-sung musical drama – sometimes referred to as a “Rhythm & Blues Opera” – based on the life of a preacher from Atlanta. The full production features a cast of up to 25 actors and a 15-piece orchestra playing a dynamic fusion of musical forms – from the operatic, to gospel, blues, and jazz to contemporary – evoking the epic scale of a man’s life story, as well as the deeply moving episodes along the way.
Model: Allegra Paris | Photography: Geometria
Girl of the West
La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West) is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini, based on the play The Girl of the Golden West by the American author David Belasco. Fanciulla followed Madama Butterfly, which was also based on a Belasco play. The opera has fewer of the show-stopping highlights that are characteristic of other Puccini works but is admired for its impressive orchestration and for a score that is more melodically integrated than is typical of his previous work.
Model: Sarah Umphlett | Photograpy: Geometria
Indian Princess
This dress was also inspired by "The Girl of the West"
Model: Kenzie Malz | Photography: Geometria
The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville, (or The Useless Precaution) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with an Italian libretto by Cesare Sterbini. The libretto was based on Pierre Beaumarchais's French comedy Le Barbier de Séville (1775). The première of Rossini's opera (under the title Almaviva, o sia L'inutile precauzione) took place on 20 February 1816 at the Teatro Argentina, Rome. Even after two hundred years, it remains one of the greatest masterpieces of comedy within music.
Model: Lindsay Keuhl | Photography: Geometria
Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story "Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Luther Long, which in turn was based on stories told to Long by his sister Jennie Correll and on the semi-autobiographical 1887 French novel Madame Chrysanthème by Pierre Loti.
Model: Julia Cornwell | Photography: Benjamin Huynh
Cyrano
Cyrano is an opera in four acts composed by Walter Damrosch to an English language libretto by William James Henderson based on Edmond Rostand's play, Cyrano de Bergerac. It premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on February 27, 1913, with Pasquale Amato in the title role and Frances Alda as Roxane.
Model: Chandra Larson | Photography: Geometria
Romeo & Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers.
Model: Alexis Sherrill| Photography: Geometria
Rusalka
Rusalka is an opera ('lyric fairy tale') by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech libretto was written by the poet Jaroslav Kvapil (1868–1950) based on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromír Erben and Božena Němcová. A Rusalka is a water sprite from Slavic mythology, usually inhabiting a lake or river. Rusalka is one of the most successful Czech operas, and represents a cornerstone of the repertoire of Czech opera houses.
Model: Alyson Cordery | Photography: Geometria
The Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro (Italian: Le nozze di Figaro) is an opera buffa (comic opera) in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with an Italian libretto written by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna on 1 May 1786. The opera's libretto is based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro ("The Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro"), which was first performed in 1784. It tells how the servants Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their philandering employer Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna and teaching him a lesson in fidelity.
Model: McKenna Koch | Photography: Geometria
2015-16 Season Dress (First Opera Recycles Dress)
Model: Jaci Stofferahn-Ruesink | Photography: Geometria
2017 - 2018 Dress
These dresses were created from leftover marketing materials from the 2017 - 2018 season at Opera Carolina
Models: Elixis Ross | Photography: Geometria
The Times Square Takeover
Credits & Thank You's
Some really special people came together to make this runway show happen. First and foremost, THANK YOU to Katie Rote for interviewing all of the models with me and designing each look to specifically speak to the opera and gown that each model wore. Thank you to Mariah Jere, our Minneapolis Market Manager who is an absolute warrior in the trenches. Despite the fact that she manage a team of almost 50 Artisans in Minneapolis and over 150 wedding parties, she managed to get to NYC for two days and join this group of rock stars.
Thank you to the NYC Artisans listed below who dedicated this day to perfecting the looks that we sculpted from concepts in the sky. And a BIG thanks to Mariah's partner Chris who captured the below image and many more behind the scenes that hit our social media on the day of the show.
The Couture Fashion Week NYC Team
From left to right: NYC Artisan Stefanie, NYC Artisan Fay, NYC Artisan Gabby, MPLS Artisan Mariah, WPI Founder Jessica Mae, WPI Director of Education Katie Rote, NYC Artisan Danielle.
The Designers
None of this is possible without the uber-talented minds behind the designing of the dresses. Here are the Designers:
Kristen Alyce - www.vivrecouture.com
Emily Kramer - www.emilykramerdesigns.com
Sarah Danee McGee -
www.justbeautifulllc.comMalou Tabada Oordery
Venie Tadeo
Lyndsee Haristron
Rocio Llusca -
The Models
Could we be anything without the models? Its one thing to design a look and a dress. It's another thing to have the model wearing them own it like they were born with it. Thank you to these young women for allowing us to help them "Prepare For Battle".
Jaci Stofferahn-Ruesink • Allegra Paris • Sarah Umphlett • Chandra Larson • Lindsey Kuehl • Madison Hicks • Kenzie Malz • Hannah Duke • Alexis Sherrill • McKenna Koch • Lulu Ambrose • Elexis Ross • Alyson Cordery • David Wilkins • Julia Cornwell
You ROCKED IT.
Live on CBS Local/WCCO
The Journey from North Carolina to Minneapolis to New York City started right here in Downtown Minneapolis at WCCO.
Lipstick by Elixery Cosmetics
All lipstick looks for Couture Fashion Week for Opera Recycles were done using Elixery Costmetics House from Minneapolis, MN
Hair & Makeup Trend Collection: Fall/Winter 2017
This fall and winter season we are seeing the return of bold berry lips and jewel toned eyes. The colder months are a great time to experiment with your bold colors that you typically wouldn’t use in the spring or summer.
Fall/Winter Hair and Makeup Trends
The Inspiration Behind the Makeup.
This fall and winter season we are seeing the return of bold berry lips and jewel toned eyes. The colder months are a great time to experiment with your bold colors that you typically wouldn’t use in the spring or summer.
So if you haven’t yet, bust out that palette that you have not used and play around! Also this season we see the no-makeup makeup look sticking around. I personally love this as a soft everyday natural beauty look. You can easily amp the look up with a bold lip for a date night or after work events. Monochromatic looks are here to stay as well, this is a hot trend right now and easily achieved by anyone.
“This fall and winter season we are seeing the return of bold berry lips and jewel toned eyes.”
Take a look behind the scenes at WarPaint International Beauty Agency's Hair and Makeup Trend Collections for Fall/Winter 2017.
The inspiration behind the hair
WarPaint Director of Education, Katie Rote, designed the hair looks for this year's fall/winter trend collection. As a collective group, we took the approach of thinking about this fall/winter season as an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and to showcase some simple ideas that fire up your inner girl boss and self-confidence, regardless of your age or occasion.
“My Inspiration for the hair was to create looks that can give a complete change to the your appearance by creating faux bangs or adding embellished head bands or scarves. ”
With the holidays approaching, these are great styles that will have you standing out! They'll add elegance and sass to any party you may be attending without having to commit to a full hair change. Holiday festivities, here we come!
And the collection...
The Fall/Winter 2017 Hair and Makeup Trend Collection was curated and produced by WarPaint International Founder / Creative Director, Jessica Mae, WarPaint Director of Education, Katie Rote, WarPaint Market Manager, Mariah Jere, and WarPaint International Artist of the Year, Claire Donnelly. WarPaint International hair and makeup trend collections are always desinged with useabilty and the everyday woman (or man) in mind. See the FULL TREND COLLECTION HERE.
The Fall/Winter 2017 Trend Collection Team.
From left to right: Makeup Assistant Artisan Claire, Makeup Assistant Artisan Mia, Hair Assistant Artisan Nicole, Hair Assistant Artisan Mariah, Creative Director Jessica Mae, Hair Assistant Artisan Wendy, WarPaint Intern Debbie, Makeup Assistant Artisan Erin, & WarPaint Director of Education Katie Rote.
Creative Director, Jessica Mae & Director of Education, Katie Rote.
Credits
Photography: Chris McDuffie Photography
Video: Engle Videography
Creative Director: Jessica Mae
Artistic Director for Hair: Katie Rote
Assistant Artisans:
Mia Pietruszewski, Claire Donnelly, Nicole Hamer, Mariah Jere, Wendy Zarate, Erin Cooney, and WarPaint International intern Debbie Aderinkomi.
Models:
Ashley Lynn Graaf, Sam Drexler, Hillary Kline, Mariah Jere, Imana Raddatz, Grace Bernal, Kelly Rose Thorpe, & Marie Sheely.
Hair product used: Pureology Sulfate-Free Hair Products
Lipstick provided by Elixery Artisan Cosmetic House
Fall / Winter 2016 Hair & Makeup Trend Collection
New York Fashion Week 2016 will use a wide variety of looks from hoodies and comfortable trend wear, to fur and ruffles. We wanted to create a collection that lent itself to the diversity of textiles and movement in the apparel we will see. The trend and style driven person is perhaps not always looking for the hair and makeup to be the primary focus of their look.
Fall / Winter Hair and Makeup Trends
The Inspiration Behind the Makeup.
"I created the makeup looks in this collection to be bold and rich with color while still maintaining simplicity. The Fall / Winter season is a cozy time of year and I wanted these looks to communicate that feeling and also make a statement of high fashion that is achievable to the everyday women. Makeup is sometimes something that is intimidating, especially when we talk about what is trending. I want this collection to say that being on trend can be easily achieved on your own or with your WarPaint International Artisan in your home".
“I want this collection to say that being on trend can be easily achieved on your own or with your WarPaint International Artisan in your home.”
Behind the scenes with Creative Director, Jessica Mae & Artistic Director, Benjamin Rodich at the 2016 Fall / Winter Hair & Makeup Trend Collection from WarPaint International Beauty Agency | Engle Videography.
The Trend Collection Images
As mentioned, the Fall / Winter season is a cozy time of year. Makeup trends for this 2016 season will definitely emulate that. In this collection we see a lot of bold and rich berry lip colors paired with a simple eye. We will also see a lot of warm and cozy colors paired with rich or warm lip colors. Fall is my favorite season of them all. I love the smells, the colors and the warm cozy feeling of the season. I wanted to bring that out in the entire collection but particularly with our model Katie Lietz. I designed a pumpkin spice smokey eye for her with some dramatic wispy lashes and a warm nude lip in the color Jamie from Elixery. This lip color was exclusively designed by Elixery for Jamie Yuccas; national correspondent for CBS news in New York City. ~ Creative Director, Jessica Mae.
We brought a male into the collection this season. He has transitioned the highly coveted man bun into a soft and textured style. Draping naturally, shine and control was achieved by using Cotton Uzu and Sheer Lacquer from Shu Uemura. The model's hair moved with him as he did.
Our Bride (seen above in Justina) was a stunning combination of both thread like cushions of hair and beautifully swept back sections that were draped to create an effortless yet elegant look. A textured french twist was adorned by a magnificent bridal comb provided by Posh Bridal Couture. This stunning piece of art made this go from red carpet to white dress.
We’ve recently seen vintage makeup and hair styles come back, which has been exciting for me because I love the 1920’s and pin up era of makeup. In this year's Fall / Winter collection we showcased an Old Hollywood Glam / Marilyn Monroe inspired makeup look. I love the bright red lip and the dramatic winged eye liner. This look is the definition of classic american beauty.
With any trend that you are showcasing and making your own, it is important to remember to choose a focal point that you want your makeup to enhance. For example if you do a dramatic deep berry lip color keep your eyes lighter and vice versa. Not only does this year’s Fall / Winter collection showcase bold and beautiful colors, it defines natural beauty and has taken a stand against the “trends” on Instagram. There is no harsh contouring, and we certainly don’t use flour to set our makeup looks!”
The Inspiration Behind the Hair
"I designed the hair looks in this collection to be accessible and interesting. While many of us can do these styles at home ourselves, I carefully train my team of hair artisans to consider different approaches to achieving these beautiful looks. When you use the proper product and the right tools, your look will last longer, feel better, and be so much more fun to create. All of these looks can be worn for more than just one evening with just a little light refreshing the next day.
This collection showed the individuality and identity that we all uniquely have when it comes to our hair. Each look was tailored for the women who wore it. The textures in this collection were inspired by fabric textiles. Our Signature night on the town blowout was an explosion of volume. Texture was buoyant and frothy; each curl had its own destiny and place in the world. I wanted to show a woman who is fearless with her style - this is a “say something hair style.” She will be noticed. I also am obsessed with the “Ballerina Bun”. This look was inspired by second day hair. Sometimes we can use the oils from the day before to create a high shine and sophisticated “bun” that is tightly wound and wrapped around itself over and over again. Using a Mason Pearson brush, we were able to place each hair in its place and secure a power knot that is sure to not be confused as the daily worn top knot. Its texture is smooth and satin like. She is running late and had no time to wash after yoga.
I also showed a vintage and Marilyn / Hollywood Glam look (seen below with Kaitlin Rose). I love to do vintage styling on bleached blondes. Their hair tends to hold an “S Shape” quite well and it always is brought to the top with that classic red lip. At WarPaint International we LOVE this look. It is sure to turn heads everywhere!
Ultimately, on-set, I create my interpretation of what I see on the streets of my city and cities I travel, and produce a look that I am proud to train my team in and offer our clients." ~ Artistic Director, Benjamin Rodich
I LOVE HATS! I was so excited to show a look where a hat is worn. I think that a soft knit hat can turn half curled and “un-done” hair into a trendy street-chic masterpiece. I cut the bangs just slightly so that pieces of the bangs came out in random places along the front of the hat. She was styled with a pair of earrings that normally would compliment an evening look. I think that wearing high end jewelry with a casual outfit is so chic and totally cool. Two of the looks showed softer waves that were dehydrated and untamed. I love the role that static can play on hair in some cases. The fly-aways from the hair are embraced and used to create a very authentic example of the “cool girl” beach waves. The more elegant look work by Katie L, is a brushed out version of the same soft waves, however we used Essence Absolue from Shu Uemura to give this look a glossy and high shine finish. Perfect for anything from work to happy hour, or a date night.
“I LOVE HATS! I was so excited to show a look where a hat is worn.”
The Inspiration
New York Fashion Week 2016 will use a wide variety of looks from hoodies and comfortable trend wear, to fur and ruffles. We wanted to create a collection that lent itself to the diversity of textiles and movement in the apparel we will see. The trend and style driven person is perhaps not always looking for the hair and makeup to be the primary focus of their look. The creative direction team at WarPaint International values the natural beauty of our guests at the highest level; the looks that our artisans create will always take into consideration the overall look including clothing.
Aristotle once said “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, which could not be more relevant when concepting beauty trends. Each aspect of a total look has to be tailored strategically to honor and celebrate its companion accessory whether it be hair, makeup, a hand-bag, shoes, or even a scarf. Each play a vital role in the outcome becoming a “total look” that is one to gaze upon and appreciate.
Its thrilling to see designers taking a huge risk this coming fall and winter with their collections. From the floral prints we are all loving again to the stunning sequins gowns - It is such a whimsical and fairy tale look into the minds of these talented people. The looks in our Trend Collection are so versatile. With the switch of a lip color or a brushing of the hair, your look can be transformed from day to night. Fashion needs to be durable and worthy of a night on the town and so should hair and makeup. We are inspired by what we see right now.
The FW 2016 Hair & Makeup Trend Collection was concepted and produced by WarPaint International Founder / Creative Director, Jessica Mae & Artistic Director for Hair, Benjamin Rodich. This trend shoot (as always) was designed for the natural woman (or man) to envision herself emanating wearable beauty. See the FULL TREND COLLECTION HERE.
The FW 2016 Trend Collection Team.
From left to right: Hair Assistant Artisan Heidi, Makeup Assistant Artisan Malee, Hair Assistant Artisan Kristina, Artistic Director Benjamin Rodich, Creative Director Jessica Mae, Hair Assistant Artisan Katie, Makeup Assistant Artisan Priscilla (NYC), Makeup Assistant Artisan Alison Joy.
Creative Director, Jessica Mae & Artistic Director, Benjamin Rodich.
Credits
Photography: Chris McDuffie Photography
Video: Engle Videography
Creative Director: Jessica Mae
Artistic Director for Hair: Benjamin Rodich
Assistant Artisans:
Malee Vang Xiong, Kristina Johnson, Prisciclla Santiago, Heidi Knoke, Alison Joy, Katie Rote
Models:
Ashley Graaf, Justina Proue, Katie O'Neill, Eric Mischke, Katie Lietz, Kaitlin Rose, Michelle Amries & Tyler Bakken
Hair Product Sponsor: Shu Uemura
Accessories provided by: Posh Bridal Couture
Lipstick Exclusively designed for WarPaint International by Elixery Artisan Cosmetic House