This week I had the honor to be a featured artist for the RAW artists showcase at iMusic. There was art, fashion,music, makeup, hair and great times! Part of participating in a showcase with RAW is the portfolio building as well as a taped video piece which I will share when it comes out in 3 weeks! But for now.. I will share with you my thoughts behind what I created!

I want to start off by saying that this runway show was an opportunity to “push the envelope,” on what I could accomplish with hair. I get to work with stellar clients daily making their styles work for them and their needs but for one night I threw practicality to the wind! I let my imagination wander to places, ideas and concepts I wanted to explore. One of the main concepts I kept coming back to was,”SCULPTURAL FLOW.”

What this means to me (as a daughter of a sculptor) is a 3 dimensional (3D) hair representation of how flow is created in hair and with hair. In the same guise, I also wanted to see how flow can be stopped or redirected with hair in order to establish different components of a style. The images that kept running through my mind were of: Talum and Chichen Itza pyramids in Mexico, rippled sands in an Arabian desert, and the waves in the “Bride of Frankenstein” hair.

In order to accomplish the varied styles, I used clip in human hair extensions. In order to ad fullness to one of the styles I custom colored the pieces to match the models hair using It&ly’s Vivly semipermanent Titian to repigmentize and then toned with It&ly’s Colorly transluscent color formula 7FA tutti frutti and 10 volume. Other clip ins were sprayed with costume spray color, Extra Hold Hairspray by Alterna Caviar and Gloss Sealant Spray from Blick art supply. In order to set the pieces I used a triple barrel wave iron in order to have a consistent, fabricated wave pattern in the pieces.

I also employed some old school styling tricks like back combing, backbrushing, and creative bobby pinning (they have to be hidden!) in addition to using newer products like Morroccan Oil and Anti gravity+Session Spray by Kevin Murphy. I am super proud of the work I did and I hope you do like it too….. Enjoy “going with the flow!”

(Credits:D’Arcy Hair Design- Hair, Nyk Foto-photography, Fashion- Kim McCormick/Kimmi Designs and Jessica Nees-Makeup)

In a hair stylist’s career, it is always awesome to be presented with a great artistic opportunity.

D’Arcy Hair Design of Emerson Salon will have the honor of being a featured Hair Artist for RAW artists Thursday, February 9th Showcase. RAW artists is in 22 cities nationwide and works with the local arts community to create showcases, events and awards that puts a spotlight on emerging talent in fashion, makeup, performing art,modelling, film, art, photography, hair, and music. A RAW artist gets invaluable portfolio building, exposure, and will not only network and socialize but most importantly, get a chance to collaborate with peers in different fields.

“ACTIVATE,” Seattle’s first RAW showcase will be held at iMusic on 5th Ave North (across from EMP/Space Needle) and D’Arcy will be styling for Kimmi Designs (formal fashions of repurposed/recycled fabrics.)

The doors are at 8pm with a DJ, a unique visual and visceral artistic experience, 3 bars, good vibes and at 10pm there will be 2 fashion runway shows. Advance tickets are only $10!
Check out http://www.rawartists.org or BUY a TICKET to see D’Arcy Hair Design.

Come out and support our thriving creative community with us!

Post by D’Arcy

With all this talk of the Rapture here are some tips on fashion and hairstyles so you can look your best post rapture!

Leather

One thing movies like Resident Evil, Mad Max and countless other post apocalyptic movies have taught us is that leather is in.  Its a classic look and can protect you from the freezing cold of nuclear winter or the blazing heat of the desert.

Booty Shorts

For women, booty shorts actually make a comeback post rapture.  Easy to move in and they look great with your gun holsters hanging off to the sides.

Accessories

You need a good pair of combat boots and goggles.

Hairstyles

Finally in a post rapture world your going to need something quick and simple for your hair that says “I’m here, I survived and don’t mess with me!”  Keep it short and any variation of the mohawk is acceptable

If your unsure about anything just watch Rihanna, that’s one pop star that is going to survive the Rapture

Check out Alicia Keys with her pompadour-mohawk which she sported recently at the “Biutiful” movie screening.

Katy Perry gets in the holiday spirit with some Christmas hair accessories.

Kanye West interviews Rihanna on the evolution of her style (Interview)

A band like Stars from Montreal give indie pop a good name with its songs instrumentalized into thoughtful rock pieces with an inner emotional arc. They are upbeat yet lyrical simultaneously. Stars’ newest studio album, Five Ghosts, is a tour de force with its lead single, Fixed. Singer-guitarist Amy Millan rocks as the band’s front woman and holds her own in the mostly male band.

Amy’s hair color is soft and feminine even though it is on the darker side of brunette. She probably received an all over balayage service. If you are looking for similar color to Amy’s, ask your stylist to give you a rich, neutral brown base color with painted in highlights that are toned to a medium blond. This will create a fuller look to the hair in addition to softening the dark hue. This technique can go longer between services as its subtle application diminishes the effect of the inevitable “grow out” line. Amy’s haircut is a shoulder length, layered haircut with texture. This means that in addition to the basic shape shorter pieces are added to the layers to create movement. This can be done with the shears alone or a razor if your hair is not prone to frizz. Try styling this do with Motion Lotion by Kevin Murphy before blow drying with a boar bristle brush. It aids in enhancing and holding the bend created by the brush and extends the life of the style.

Drummer Pat McGee has become adventurous with his locks. He decided to buzz his hair into a boxy looking short mohawk and added pink and white blond hues to it. This can be achieved by bleaching the hair out completely and then a vivid semi-permanent toner is applied on top. These shades fade quickly so make sure if you receive this service that you go home with a color safe shampoo and conditioner like Caviar Moisture as the hair will be damaged. A great product to style this with is Hair Shaper by Fudge. It has firm hold and is pliable for creating height.

All we know is we are trans-’fixed’ on the success and style of this band and cross our fingers that they will tour Seattle someday!

post by D’Arcy

On Super Bowl Sunday, when most people were cheering on their favorite football team, D’Arcy was styling hair in an exciting editorial photoshoot!!

The tour de force driving this opporunity is an emerging fashion designer named, Bo Choi. She received her MFA Fiber from the University of Washington and now teaches fashion design. Almost the entire fashion line in the shoot was constructed from plastic grocery bags. The central theme of the shoot was,”Pink Dream.” Bo was very detailed and organized with her vision and aided us by storyboarding some of the practice shoots for us.

Bo instructed the photographer, models, makeup artist and D’Arcy this shoot would be a representation of her first arrival in America from Korea as a young child. The two Asian models were to signify her experiences and were to evoke a simple, naive, young and modern version of the “young Bo Choi.” The other two Caucasian models were to be,”the mean girls on the playground,” and would evoke a prissy or evil sensibility.

Bo gave me some guidance on what she envisioned for the hair but left it up to me to use those ideas as inspiration for my own creativity. Here are some of my faves!

Credits:
Photography by Ross James Photography (rossjamesphotography.com/)
Makeup by Jj Cariaso (jjcariaso.com)
Clothes by Bo Choi (http://www.boyoungchoi.com.ne.kr)
Models:Catherine Cabeen (catherinecabeen.com)
Bronwyn Rose, Anastasia , Taylor Osborne (modelmayhem.com)
Special Thanks: Melissa James and Hye Kim

post by D’Arcy

This Spring it is all about color. Vibrant jewel tones are always popular in Spring, and this year is no different. Along with the bright and bold colors, safe neutrals are also making a statement. Don’t forget you can utilize the colors in more than just your wardrobe as well. Try combining the two with neutral eyes and a bright, shocking lip color for the full effect or brightening up an outfit with a scarf or big bracelets.

I’m also loving the hair trends that were recently seen on the runways. Tons of braids, sleek pony tails and buns, even styles that combine sleek and teased hair were the looks that complimented the different textures and colors of the season. Slightly less dramatic versions of these looks are easily duplicated and great for everyday wear. Scarves and big bows (Lady GaGa inspired?) were not only worn around the neck but in the hair, adding some color around the face to bring out the eyes or compliment the makeup.

Grey, taupe, beige and rose colors are all pleasing tones that can be worn by most anyone. These are great daytime colors for the more conservative crowd that wants to stay in sync with the trends while the bolder colors can be saved for those who are a bit more daring. Purples have been growing in popularity in recent years. This year, you are seeing brighter purples that tend to have more red than blue. Also tons of teals and emerald greens. On the lips, go for a tomato red/orange with a blush to compliment, while keeping the eyes neutral with peach or flesh tones.

Finish off any look with a few big bracelets. Try wearing a few silver and wood bangles together and you will be runway ready!

Post by Amanda

The tragic news that Alexander McQueen’s founder and designer, Lee McQueen, was found dead in his London home Thursday, has rocked the fashion world. The designer, 40, was set to unveil his newest collection at the upcoming Paris Fashion Week and has passed just days before London Fashion Week. The designer had also just recently released the news of his mother’s death on February 2, 2010. It has been reported that his death will not be treated as suspicious though police will not comment on the speculation of suicide.

McQueen was first discovered in the early 90s by Isabella Blow, the fashion director of Tatler. Soon after he was made head designer of Givenchy. Nicknamed “l’enfant terrible,” the designer went on to win the British Designer of the Year 4 times between the years 1996 and 2003. He was also given the International Designer of The Year at The Council of Fashion Designer Awards, to name just a few of his accomplishments.

The fashion icon worked with many celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, and Lady GaGa. Lady GaGa debuted her video for “Bad Romance” at the designer’s Spring collection debut in October of 2009. In the video Lady GaGa is wearing very dramatic, intricate costumes designed by McQueen. In my opinion, he was made for the job. His beautiful, Gothic designs, which he is known for are striking and capture the full effect of the song. The shoes he created for her are incredible.

The fashion industry has definitely suffered a great loss, though he has inspired many and will live on through his designs. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Post by Amanda

Seattle’s new defacto fashion blog, It’s My Darlin, has been patrolling the streets to keep up to date on the the best in local winter fashion. Capitol Hill, true to its edgy reputation, is rife with great unique looks like this picture of Asya taken on 14th & Pine outside Online Coffee Co. Se all the great looks on the It’s My Darlin blog. We love it!

Check out It’s My Darlin, a new local fashion blog that like the Pike/Pine blog of lore, is show casing the awesome and sometimes eccentric fashions of Capitol Hill. They were recently featured in a Capitol Hill Blog post and we thought we’d pass on this great find. Can’t wait to see some of our customers on here!