While all eyes will be focused on the fabulous fashions coming down the runway at Denver Fashion Weekend, it’s the hair and makeup that really pulls everything together. After all, no look is complete until updos are twirled, eyelashes are curled and lipstick is applied. Luckily, Charlie Price, editorial director at Antoine du Chez The Spa at Cherry Creek, and Katelyn Simkins, makeup director/producer, will be on hand to make sure that every model is flawlessly styled. These two pros also prove that fashion is all about having fun.
Charlie Price, Editorial Director, Antoine du Chez The Spa at Cherry Creek
303: What role are you playing in Denver Fashion Weekend?
CP: The Villain.
303: How did you get involved with the mayhem?
CP: I’ve done many of the 303 Magazine shows. I was asked by AB if I had an intrest in becoming the runway producer of an Hair Show, he hired me and here we are.
303: How do you anticipate the fashion industry evolving in the Denver community?
CP: I think everyone is going to start dressing like pirates.
303: Any noticeable trends you see for fall 2011 hair?
CP: Men’s hair is much more interesting than ladies’ hair.
303: How much time does it typically take to create a runway mane?
CP: It depends. It varies from five-minute updos to wigs that take weeks to style.
303: With so many hair hazards like cuts, burns, strained muscles and toxic amounts of hairspray in the air, do you ever get used to the petty pain?
CP: What do you mean? That’s the fun part.
303: How do you decide which hairstyles to pair with which looks?
CP: Balance, wit, perspective and a sense of perversion.
303: How much hair cutting actually goes down behind the scenes?
CP: Again, it depends. I try not to. It’s a crazy atmosphere for precision cutting, and, a lot of the time, there is no light.
303: What’s one thing most would be surprised to know about styling hair for Denver Fashion Weekend?
CP: That no one wears underwear.
303: When the last look is complete, and the whole show is over, how do you celebrate?
CP: A gallon of Chardonnay.
303: How long does it take you to get pretty for Denver Fashion Weekend?
CP: Twenty minutes and lots of cologne.
303: Can you recall any hairstyling disasters from runways past?
CP: Too many to mention!
Katelyn Simkins, Makeup Director/Producer, 303 Magazine
303: What role are you playing in Denver Fashion Weekend?
KS: Producer of Denver Fashion Weekend night TWO (the boutiques night).
303: How did you get involved with the mayhem?
KS: I have been with 303 Magazine for years, working as both beauty editor and makeup artist.
303: How do you anticipate the fashion industry evolving in the Denver community?
KS: I have seen it grow exponentially over the last few years. Denver has an amazing creative community, and we are starting to show some real polish in our fashion endeavors. I hope this continues to grow and evolve in the coming years.
303: How long does it typically take a makeup artist to complete an average runway look?
KS: That greatly depends on what the runway look is. For example, typical for Pat McGrath is different than the more neutral and standard fresh runway face. But, on average, I would say around about 40 minutes.
303: How is makeup for runway different from makeup for photo shoots?
KS: It needs to be stepped up a few notches. People will be seeing the models at a distance, and under strong lights–so, in that way, it can share some similarities with stage makeup.
303: Describe the most outlandish look you’ve ever had to concoct for a stage.
KS: The red collection Charlie Price and I did for last year’s hair show was pretty intense. I had to block out the model’s brows, and had a very Galliano-inspired makeup look to achieve on a lot of girls in not so much time. I was working my tail off!
303: Any rules you instate to keep your finished products from getting damaged during the rush?
KS: I use a finishing/setting spray that helps, but girls still need to just be careful. There’s no way around that.
303: How far in advance do you plan looks for Denver Fashion Weekend?
KS: This year, I planned the look about a month in advance. I start formulating possible ideas all year, but I don’t nail it down until I have all the elements falling in place. Everything needs to cohesively work together, so you can’t plan one element without the others.
303: What’s your biggest anxiety going into Denver Fashion Weekend?
KS: Oh don’t get me started!! I have nightmares about all of the POSSIBLE things that could go wrong. And those are endless. But careful planning will hopefully help me to avoid all of those things. Fingers crossed.
303: How does your expertise in makeup contribute to your work as a fashion show producer?
KS: My creativity is very helpful. I have conceptualized the entire night from hair, makeup, lighting and music–and being an artsy-fartsy creative type has been endlessly helpful with that.
303: How does it feel to be up-close-and-personal with so many people coming through your station?
KS: You mean doing makeup? I love meeting, talking and working with so many different kinds of people every day. It’s one of the things I like the best–as long as the people in my chair are friendly and don’t have horrid breath! Ha!
303: What in your artillery of tools gets most damaged after a Denver Fashion Weekend season?
KS: My feet! Ha! I have had nerve damage in a few toes from being on my feet for so many hours on end! Besides that, I guess my brushes take a bit of a beating, but I try to be as kind to them as possible. Washing them carefully and moisturizing the hair after using such powerful cleansers is important.