Backstage beauty at Gottex during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2010. Black rimmed liner, glowing skin, and pale lips dominated the runway and complimented the elegant swimwear design. M.A.C. Cosmetics used exclusively for the makeup look.

Check out this behind-the-scenes video:

A powerful social media network has been launched today, and I’m personally excited to be a part of it! With TheDailyCollective.org, fashion freelancers are now connected via an uncommonly effective network that equips them with the most critical of promotional tools – communication.

The innovative site provides creatives, like myself, a free exchange of information to help us reach other photographers, designers, models, makeup artists, and stylists to advance our business, cultivate new contacts, tap new markets and swell our portfolios.

“We kill red tape,” says company founder Marc Samson. “Imagine not having to comb through casting sites or trade classifieds to find qualified talent. We do the screening first, so everyone is legitimate, there’s no garbage, and it’s completely free.”

The Daily Collective site design is visually captivating as it features work from talent seeking other talent for various projects. I am personally honored to be included in this list of top creatives.

How TheDailyCollective.org Works

- Unlike other social media tools created for niche markets, TheDailyCollective.org does not come with a hefty price tag or any learning curve. Rather than develop a new technology to manage the platform’s interface, the company is keeping it simple by using standard email. TheDailyCollective is a 100% free daily email.

- Every volume is made up of project castings submitted by the community. Project listings are delivered directly to subscribers’ inboxes, and every listing includes a direct email address for the project organizer.

- When a user is interested in a project, they can respond to the organizer directly. For both parties, this means they can spend less time searching and more time creating.

“There has been an explosion of amazing independent freelance talent in the fashion industry,” Samson explains. “Our goal to help these professionals advance their careers — the models, makeup artists and stylists; the sole proprietor photographers and designers; anyone and everyone associated directly or indirectly with new and ongoing projects.”

Fashion photography freelance professionals are one of the largest and most socially-interactive communities, with a heavy presence on general social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. TheDailyCollective, however, has been custom built specifically by and for them, making it uniquely their own.

“For photographers, designers and independent fashion specialists it’s the ultimate networking tool,” says Samson.

The network was created and developed by Marc Samson, a 25 year old social media and public relations expert who operates just outside of Washington D.C. In January of this year, I had the opportunity to interview Samson during early developments of The Daily Collective. Check out my interview here.

Rachel Roy’s designs are innovative and alluring, so it’s no wonder supermodel Hilary Rhoda and designer Rachel Roy teamed up for the red carpet at the CFDA Awards last night in New York! Check out my backstage look into the process of choosing Hilary’s Rachel Roy gown for this event!

On May 27, 2010, @Rachel_Roy logged onto Twitter and shared with followers a snapshot of Ms. Rhoda during her fitting along with this tweet, “Which color do you like better for @HilaryHRhoda for a big event coming up? -RR”.

When I saw this picture, I  immediately suggested the white dress in a reply tweet from my account, @victoriastiles. The yellow, although I love the design, felt did not compliment Hilary’s skin tone.  The white Rachel Roy design gave Hilary an elegant style and complimented her neutral-toned skin.

I was pleased with their decision…

I asked Hilary and Rachel what influenced their decision to go with this design over the other and their response was, “To keep it summery and fresh”.

Makeup by Victoria Stiles for MAKE UP FOR EVER

Key makeup products by MAKE UP FOR EVER: Turquoise Matte 72 Eyeshadow and Green 16L Aqua Eyes

Art Director: Christopher Moszary
Photographer: Mark Gong
Stylist: Sam Jaradeh
Fashion Editor: Gregory Wein
Hair: Ryoji Imaizumi for Shu Uemura Art of Hair at 1Plus1Mgmt
Make up Assistant: Warren Bolden
Models: Yuliana Bondav at Major, Jamie Jewitt at VNY, Bobby Nicholas at Ford

I’m loving this trend–Actress Blake Lively wearing the Leather Denim Jacket from the Barlow Spring 2010 Collection at last night’s premiere of the HBO film, TEMPLE GRANDIN in New York City. Barlow’s debut collection is available at great retailers including Big Drop, Fred Segal, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong and online at Shopbop.com and RevolveClothing.com.

Photo Credit: Bill Davila/startraksphoto

I love trendy pieces of jewelry because they make me feel hip without necessarily dressing too young. I recently stumbled upon these cute pieces of jewelry which incorporate bow ties!

Hubby, if you are reading this, please get me one or all of the following pieces for Valentine’s Day!
Love, Victoria.

Tie Breaker Bow Tie Ring by Wendy Brandes inSterling Silver.

Pave Demi Bow-tie Necklace by Demitasse Jewelry. I like Gunmetal.

Demi Bow-tie by Demitasse Jewelry. I like Black Tie.

Last night’s Lela Rose fashion show, presented by the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC was not your run-of-the-mill fashion show. Although models did strut their stuff down a catwalk modeling some of the finest spring fashions in town, there was a general camaraderie among patrons at the Modus Union 2010 event– something non-existent at similar large scale shows.

Maybe it had something to do with the reason why we dressed to impress in the first place? Founded by Mary Amons in 2006, Labels for Love, the reason that brought out DC’s power players last night, benefits 501(c)3 charitable organizations that protect women and children from the damaging effects of poverty, homelessness, abuse, and the hardships associated with terminal illness. The beneficiary for last night’s event was the Children’s National Medical Center. Children’s National Medical Center is a proven leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury.

Sponsors for this event included Celebrity Stylist Ted Gibson, who re-created his “water” themed ponytail beach hair from the Lela Rose show in New York last fall for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week S/S 2010 (see my video below), and makeup by Dior Beauty. Other sponsors included Cadillac, PHYTO, O’Neill Studios, the aba agency, T.H.E. Artist Agency, Secure Limo USA, and Bake Shop.

Ted Gibson for Lela Rose– Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week S/S 2010

The foyer was elaborately decorated with works of art by Lolly Amons, Roxanne Christie, Maggie O’Neill, Don Patron, Rodger Schultz, Matt Sesow, and Karen Suderman. 100% of sales from art pieces went to the event’s beneficiary.

For more information on Labels for Love, please visit their site www.LabelsForLove.org.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Schedule Announced
Fall/Winter 2010 Designer Collections will walk on Bryant Park’s final runways

Backstage Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week S/S 2010 Photo by Victoria Stiles

New York, NY (January 11, 2010) – From February 11-18, 2010, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW), thousands of fashion industry professionals will come together in Bryant Park’s iconic Tents for one last week before MBFW re-locates to Lincoln Center in September.

Starting off a New Year and new global fashion cycle, the retailers, reporters and editors are eager to see the Collections from the world’s established and up-and-coming designers, and how this creative community sets the tones and trends for what we will wear in Fall/Winter 2010.

“As we close a chapter in the history of our event, IMG is excited to be working with Lincoln Center, the CFDA and the City to create a new home for the fashion industry at Lincoln Center,” said Peter Levy, SVP and Managing Director of IMG Fashion Worldwide. “We are looking forward, with our partners, to rolling out our plans in the coming months.”

“All of us at IMG Fashion are excited about the outstanding and stellar lineup which has come together from around the world to share in this historic Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week,” said Fern Mallis, SVP of IMG Fashion. “This will be a significant season, as we reflect on 17 years, 31 seasons and close to 2,500 fashion shows in Bryant Park that have launched many careers….from Designers to Editors, Models, Producers, Celebrities, TV Commentators and Reality Shows. We all also look forward to the change – and September’s move to Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center.”

Saluting and showing in Bryant Park, and Associate Member shows on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ’s schedule are: BCBGMAXAZRIA, Richard Chai, Duckie Brown, Toni Maticevski, Ports 1961, Anne Bowen, La Perla, Farah Angsana, The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2010, Cynthia Steffe, Project Runway, Yigal Azrouёl, Michael Angel, Christian Siriano, Nicole Miller, Charlotte Ronson, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Adam, Academy of Art University, Prabal Gurung, ARISE Magazine African Collective – III, Lela Rose, Luca Luca, Malandrino, DKNY, Rebecca Taylor, Calvin Klein Men’s Collection, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, TonyCohen, Y-3, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Vassilios Kostetsos, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Donna Karan Collection, Tracy Reese, Monique Lhuillier, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation, Perry Ellis, Elie Tahari, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Pamella Roland, Max Azria, Dennis Basso, Diesel Black Gold, Thuy, Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez, Toni Francesc, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly by Michelle Smith, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Brian Reyes, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein Women’s Collection, Naeem Khan, J. Mendel and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Bryant Park Tents’ three venues include the Salon, the Promenade and the Tent. Over the course of eight days, the runway venues, lobby and backstage sponsor lounges will be bustling from 9 AM to 9 PM, when approximately 100,000 people come to attend shows, meet and greet the media, retailers and fashion professionals.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express®, Maybelline New York, W Hotels Worldwide, TRESemmé, The Heart Truth Campaign, Starbucks Frappuccino® Coffee Drink, Peroni, Chambord, Martini Gold Mixers and O.N.E.TM One Natural Experience as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Vevant, Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is an IMG owned and produced event.

To view the full schedule, please click here.

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Tis the season for holiday dresses! My latest published work was a commercial print shoot for The Washington Post Express. Photographer Marge Ely captured model Jackie Akoko as she danced around in fun short dresses styled by Betsy Lowther.

Since the dresses were full of sparkle and life, I kept the hair and makeup soft and pretty to compliment.

Skin Prep: M.A.C. Strobe Liquid and M.A.C. Fast Response Eye Cream M.A.C. Cosmetics

Foundation: Graftobian in Deep Xanthe mixed with M.A.C. Strobe Liquid used as a mixing medium Paint and Powder Store

Eyes: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream used as a soft gloss on the lids Elizabeth Arden. Natural Born Cosmetics Eye Endurance Liquid Liner in Black Paint and Powder Store. BADgal Lash Mascara from Benefit was used to create thick, rich lashes.

Cheeks: The cheekbones were highlighted with M.A.C.’s Mineralize Skin Finish in Sunny by Nature. A pop of peach color was created by placing a few dabs of MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Flash Colour in Coral then blended with Billy B’s Foundation Brush Two.

Lips: Spice liner from M.A.C. mixed with Clear Lipglass, also from M.A.C.

To learn more about these fabulous dresses, check out Betsy’s article on Express.com

Victoria Stiles Washington DC Makeup Artist

This beautiful story was submitted to Makeup Artist Backstage by fashion photographer, Tomaas.   Immediately I took to the images, loving the lines, style, and of course the make-up.  There is drama throughout but the structured design on the face is perfected with a clean technique, leaving the skin soft and fresh– love.

Credits:

Photographer Tomaas
Model Maximova @ Marilyn Models
Stylist Dina Yassin
Make-up Yadim C.
Hair Charley