Nicole Miller Backstage used makeup by MAC with emphasis on slate colored eyes and a nude look. Artist James Kaliardos says, “The collection was inspired by the Voodoo eye, which is Nicole Miller’s inspiration. The eyes are key and so are the lips.”

He used a smoky plum eyeshadow on both the upper and lower eyelids, and a bright blue color on the inner eye rim. A healthy orange blush dusted both cheeks and the models glowed with a healthy look of St. Tropez.

The clothes were inspired by spirited style, pleasures and exotic indulgences, according to the program. There were several good luck symbols from Voodoo flags woven into the breezy, colorful dresses. Trust Nicole Miller to infuse modern charm with some unknown cult motifs. “Wrap and slouch,” “soft silhouettes,” “sportswear inspired,” said the program notes, and the collection delivered all of the above.

The colors dazzled the runway. From pomegranate, mango, pineapple, papaya, avocado, to darker notes of coffee and tamarind, there was nary a combination that failed to elicit some sort of emotional and artistic response.

This is Siberian Supermodel Irina Pantaeva, who loves Nicole’s work. “The thing that is great about Nicole Miller is that she takes the time to explain to all her models about her inspiration and design influences,” she says. “She also was one of the first designers to hire me.”

Well, well, well. I wasn’t expecting anything from the 6119 Maurice and Ilana Sunderland show at the Glass Houses on Sept. 4 evening.

I saw Lindsay Price from Lipstick Jungle there, and Audrina Partridge from The Hills! Imagine my excitement. I’m a huge fan of Lindsay. She is so unbelievably elegant, like an ethnic version of Audrey Hepburn, and she was wearing a red Peter Som dress with YSL heels.

“I got the invitation and heard about the designer,” she says. “And it’s kind of research for me since I play someone who would be into this kind of thing on Lipstick Jungle. I like the beginnings of things. I’m excited for her (Ilana).”

Audrina looked gorgeous in a pale blue dress and Moschino shoes and Ippolita jewelry. When asked about her fave beauty products, she said “I love Laura Mercier foundation primer, NARS blush in Orgasm and Smashbox-O lip gloss.”

Now, onto the show, which was spectacular, in a very Matrix minimalist way. Matrix because everyone looked cool wearing sharp sunglasses. Minimlist because silk solid figure-hugging dresses dictated the tone of the collection.

From the silk jersey amethyst dress with pleated charmeuse bodice and long sleeves to the men’s single breasted birdseye suit with double lapel and flat front trousers, the clothes were almost Issey Miyake in their minimalist, silkish touch but had the edginess of a Philippe Starck design. The men’s designs were solid, beautifully pure and preppie as a Gossip Girl episode.

If you’re going to a prep school black tie, this line is for you. Ladies, you need to have a stick thin figure to pull of the skin clinging silk dress (every flaw is visible).

I was particularly excited to see the celebs there of course. I have to say Linday Price is super beautiful, more beautiful in person than on TV. Audrina was giggling and talking to her gal pals the entire show. She was thinner than a rail, though. Does that girl ever eat? I wanted to hand her a plate of fries.

But they both made my evening. Like in a may-jah way!

 The Spring 2009 collection of Burch Borges was unveiled on Wednesday evening, September 3, 2008 at the Dactyl Gallery in SOHO. I went there expecting little but walked out surprised and very impressed.

Designer John Mollet was inspired by the art of Jean August Ingres, the 17th century French artist. The painting Le Grande Odalisque uses different colors and textures, from earth tones to blues to olive greens. The collection is also inspired by the Mayan philosophies of 2012: hence we see (in extremely detailed men’s and women’s costumes) earth tones and beige, pool blue paired with dark blue, and one singular figure dressed in a transparent fiery red gown. She is the “sacrifice” in ancient Mayan ritual.

Primarily a men’s collection with a few luxurious pieces for women, the Spring Summer 2009 wardrobe showcased a gamut of clothing: from jeans with beautiful jeweled grommets running down the side, to off the shoulder ruched dresses in dark earth tones. One of the most interesting pieces was a jacket made entirely of beautifully textured peacock features. “It took two weeks to make that jacket,” Mollet says. “It was hand sewn and each layer was done painstakingly, using Mayan techniques.”

Mollet is know for his bespoke work, and the level of granularity in his work –from buttons strategically and symmetrically placed on shirts, to hand dyed snakeskin jackets– is evident. When asked why he chose to debut a women’s wear collection, Mollet said, “Women loved my bespoke work and asked me if I would make pieces for them, so I decided to do both men and women’s wear this year.”

The pieces are casual but chic enough to wear to a cocktail party without being over the top like a Marchesa gown. Where can you buy his clothes? “Currently, they’re available online,” he laughs. There is no doubt that his pieces will get scooped up by some savvy buyer in the future. Visit www.burchborges.com

Fashion Week is not for the size zero and sub zero mannequin wannabees anymore.One of my dearest friends, Sarah Conley, from the uber stylish blog www.styleitonline.com will be producing the first documentary called “On the Plus Side: A Fuller Figured Fashion Week Experience,” where she will document (daily!) on what it means to go through the breezy tents at Bryant Park being a plus size woman.

This is a great and bold move by Sarah, and we applaud her for taking the initiative to voice her opinion and emotional corsets that every “figure conscious” woman goes through.

Sarah has received tremendous support for this initiative, and her sponsors include Kipling, Amanda Jaron, Silhouettes, Old Navy, Lane Bryant, Kitten Couture, B & Lu, IGIGI, Bliss NY PR, NARS, Shiva Hair Care, Pro Silk Hair Appliances, Sun Sauce, Kathryn Kerrigan, Fig Leaves and Barefoot Tess.

Here’s a high five from Butterflydiary to Sarah for reminding women that everyone is beautiful. Cheers Sarah! We wish you a great and stylish voyage in Bryant Park this week!

There’s something you use practically everyday and completely forget about it. And it’s not your toothbrush.We’re talking about cotton, that two syllable fabric that’s meant more to our lives than the Beatles album or the Boston Sox’ surprising World Cup Series victory.

To prove this point, Cotton Inc. has launched www.thefabricofourlives.com ; where you can find neat stories on Fall Fashion trends, home décor tips, a cotton bridal gift guide and even fitness tips!

So check out the site and the next time you’re lying on Egyptian 1000-thread count cotton sheets, remember you could have been lying on some thorny, thistly fabric like jute or hemp and scratching yourself all over as you count those sheep.

As Fashion Week approaches, and fall is basically here, we’re going to remind you in a friendly, colorful fashion what the staple looks for fall are (Spring 2009 report will be released as soon as we get our hands on it).

Here are the biggest colors that Pantone released for Fall 2008, months and years and galaxies ago. Thou Shalt Only Wear:

Blue Iris (which is a color Pantone must have invented, because the botany book certainly has no trace of this color for the iris);
Royal Lilac (because bourgeois Lilac just doesn’t cut it);
Shady Glade (because glades are usually sunny, people!);
Caribbean Blue (as opposed to Mediterranean Blue…don’t mess up, okay?);
Twilight Blue (If you wear Dusk Blue, you’re fired);
Aurora Red (obviously everyone knows what color this shade of red is);
Withered Rose (I would have preferred “dusky rose” since “withered” makes me imagine Mrs. Havisham waiting for her lover in Great Expectations);
Burnt Orange, Ochre, Shitake (we can’t argue with these).

This crystal clear color report has been gushed about to death in various fashion magazines etc. and people are so confused about what to wear etc. etc. etc.

But for the love of God, we know fashion trends get resurrected, revived, annulled and cremated in a blink of an eye. So I’m going to Fashion Week dressed smartly in trends I love best even though I know I’ll mess up this Mediterranean/ Caribbean Blue thing (soooo confusing) and because I enjoy cooking Shitake with a bit of olive oil and a sprig of rosemary.

In honor of the newest limited edition collection from MAC Cosmetics, Cult of Cherry; Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy does a gorgeous makeup tutorial, showing you how to achieve a fabulous look for this upcoming Fall season!.

Beauty Anonymous reviews YSL’s fall eye shadow palette.

Alison of the The Advice Sisters Guide to Life, Success & Happiness Blog thinks that Sue Devitt’s Bermuda Triangle is a Great Way to Banish Wrinkles!

Viva Woman discovers that baking soda really whitens her teeth!

Looking for a lipgloss that will stay put and last a long time? Then check out The Makeup Divas review on the Mac Lustre Twins.

Fabulous Over Forty discusses all week about her experience at the L’Oreal Color Space at the MN State Fair.

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings is surprised by a new fall lip color. Find out which one!

What are Jamie’s 3 must-haves? Find out at Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog.

Crave for beautifully rejuvenated skin with absolutely no cost at all? Find out at Beauty Tyrant, she has whipped up askin rejuvenating peach facial!. You’ll love your skin even more now.

Beauty Blogging Junkie has partnered with Three Custom Color to provide 25 readers with TCC’s new Watercolours for Cheeks in Wallflower, a dewy beige. Click here for more info on how to enter.

If you’re a Bobbi Brown makeup fan (and who isn’t?) Beauty411 has the latest on new Bobbi Brown palettes!

MissWhoever-You-Are has found out how you can get a free tote YSL tote during Fashion Week. No Joke!

Wondering about Fall’s Makeup Trends? Learn how apply a Pretty Power Pout like the pros on A Mom in Red High Heels.

Thought hair mousse was just an 80’s trend? Think again. Daily Dose of Coffee tries out one of the most interesting hair mousses ever: Sebastian Whipped Creme.

Product Girl shows you how to make your own lipstick palette and it’s easy as pie!

Don’t miss out on your chance to win the entire line of Sera Anti-Aging skincare products over at Beauty in Real Life.

Chocolate lipliner? Sounds good, looks great! See it at Glossypink!

The Beauty Alchemist hits drugstore paydirt with Jergens Renew Lotion.

LashBlast had better watch her back. There’s a new voluptuous lash in town, and she’s wearing Exceptionnel de Chanel Intense Volume and Curl Mascara. The creamy formula and six-sided brush took Spoiled Pretty’s lashes up, up and away!

Butterfly Diary reviews the luxurious collection by Sultana de Saba whose Body Karite Butter and Honey Mask will make Cleopatra wish she had been reborn. Check it out here.

We originally reviewed this lip gloss here, and let me tell you, I cannot bear to be parted from it.If any of you know me, you’ll know I don’t wear gobs of makeup and what I do wear, I’m fiercely loyal and devoted to it. But Tricia Sawyer’s “Clearly Pretty” Color Revealing Lip Gloss has me hooked like the ganja.

The gloss is clear, and works to bring out your own lips’ true colors. Sound like hoi polloi? You have to try it. Like Lindsay addicted to Sam, you’ll be sold. Just as no two thumbprints are alike, no two women will have the same exact shade. How unique is that!

The gloss leaves a pretty shiny stain on your lips and is activated by your own body heat.

We’re giving away FIVE OF THESE to our dear readers. Just leave a comment below to be entered into the drawing, which expires in a week.

Tricia Sawyer’s Clearly Pretty retails for $18.

We’re tired of seeing actresses fronting cosmetics lines. How stupid do beauty companies think we are? Does L’Oreal expect us to believe that Diane Keaton wears its Age Perfect Skin Supporting & Hydrating Makeup off-camera? What’s worse is that some of these lovelies aren’t even wearing the makeup they’re hawking when they’re on-camera. L’Oreal recently landed in hot water when it was discovered that Penelope Cruz, who appeared in an ad for its Telescopic Mascara, was actually wearing fake eyelashes. L’Oreal called it standard industry practice. We call it outrageous.

So it was a breath of fresh air when cult cosmetics company CAMP recently signed New York celebrity transsexual Amanda Lepore to promote a cosmetics line created exclusively for her. (This company doesn’t call itself CAMP for nothing.) A cult hero to people from all walks of life, Lepore is known for working with fashion houses Dior, GUESS, and Heatherette, in addition to acting as a creative muse for famed photographers David LaChapelle and Justin Monroe, and singer-songwriter Boy George. She was also recently seen starring in a Girl In a Coma’s music video for “Road To Home.”

Lepore is the first transsexual to have her own cosmetics collection, which we welcome with open arms. It injects some much-needed fun and humor into makeup, while sending the message that women of all variations and persuasions can be beautiful. Think of it as Dove’s “Real Women” campaign with a tranny twist. We have it on good authority that Lepore adores her namesake line and only wears CAMP products.

“To us here at CAMP, it is not about gender,” company founder Michael Perich explains. “It’s about being true to yourself and having fun in the process… I’m breaking conventional rules and that’s why the world is taking notice of CAMP… We get orders from all over the globe on a daily basis from word of mouth.”

“Collection Lepore” is available now for $80, exclusively through CAMP Cosmetics at www.campcosmetics.com and the official Amanda Lepore website, www.everythingamanda.com. The limited collection includes a signature red lipstick called Lepore Red, Lepore Champagne for the cheeks and an eye palette named Lepore Metamorphosis. The full collection will land on counters from New York to Vegas to London and Hong Kong in early 2009.