The thing about Stella McCartney Resort shows is that they’re always a lot of fun. People don’t host enough garden parties anymore—but Stella is always game for a good garden party. Years past have seen carnivals and croquet matches…this year was an homage to Cuba (celebrating the new US-Cuba relations no doubt—and with a few Bey and Jay vacation photos thrown in for reference), complete with chocolate Cuban cigars and rum punch. Can it just be resort season all the time, please?
Stella’s shows have never been about a super bold beauty look—it’s more about the girls looking like themselves. So after a full course of Sunday Riley Skincare (Ceramic Slip, followed by Good Genes, followed by Juno, topped off with a little Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer), Gucci Westman finished off the models with a few strategically placed freckles and individually suited black eyeliner. Each was a version of a cat eye, though mainly very toned down—a flick more than anything else. Isabella Emmack’s was pretty cool—a double cross look to go along with her almost-too-perfect pixie cut. It all wore really well, too. Makeup was done by 4pm and still going very strong when the presentation ended at 8pm.
The hair was described with a name that’s probably going to trend very soon: the Plump Ponytail. Achieved with Aveda Thickening Tonic and some selective scrunching to get away from that “I’m uptight” look that ponies often have.
The last piece of the puzzle was the nails, done by Madeline Poole for Sally Hansen. They were neutral but pearlescent—sort of like almonds but without having that health food vibe to them (the color used was Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Almost Almond, fittingly). Pretty enough to play off of the bright collection, but not so attention-grabbing that they’re distracting. Nails really are the unsung hero of fashion collection beauty. Maybe you don’t notice them when they’re all clean and polished and perfect, but you’d most certainly notice some chipping polish if it wasn’t corrected. It takes a little taste to get it right.
Photographed by Tom Newton. For more backstage, check out ITG's coverage of New York Fashion Week, and for more resort inspiration, Stacey Nishimoto shows you how to recreate the Chanel Cruise 2016 eye look.
