During Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Agenda Magazine made its way backstage before the show at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center.  I was able to interview the key hair and makeup people and top model Cecily Lopez.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples (Bold)

Tom Pecheux – Key Makeup Artist

What is the look you are creating for the models?

This show has beautiful girls from very very fair skin to very very dark complexions.  What we are looking for is to just create a very gorgeous skin.  The light is so strong on the runway, so you need to powder the face.  We are doing a slightly stronger eyebrow.  I love women with strong eyebrows.  The eyebrows on a woman’s face are very important.  For the eyes themselves, we are applying black mascara and black eye shadow to give to each girl smoky cat eyes, sexy.

What about the lips?

The lips have to be kissable so we are only applying chapstick.

Orlando Pita, Celebrity Hairstylist for Arise

Tell me about what direction you’re going in for styling the hair for this show.

The look today is one central theme:  a middle part and long hair, but then we are varying that with different designers.  Sometimes the hair is forward; other times it is tucked behind the ears and very neat.  Sometimes it’s in a low ponytail.  There are about four girls who have very short haircuts as well, but it’s all set on a theme.  There are seven designers in the show, and it’s all about making the girls look beautiful.  And since they are sharing the girls, it’s impossible to do one really specific theme and still please all the designers.

Any special products used in the hair to give it a special look?

We’re using the Mizani Supreme oil.  We’re hoping that’s all we have to use, but the girls are coming in with so much spray, etc.

So you have to clean first, and then start from there.

Yes, then we have to use our own concoctions to make it look silky and smooth and sleek.

Any challenges?

Yes (laughs).  But it is going smoothly.

What about the flat irons you’re using?

We are using T3 straightening irons.  They get very hot, up to 450 degrees.  They’re called 450 Fahrenheit.  It has a dial so you can lower it for the girls that don’t need so much heat, so we are really conscious to not damage their hair.

Cecily Lopez, Model

Tell me a little about what you will be doing on the show.

I’m walking for many designers, about 5 or 6.  It should be a good time.

Have you done the Arise show before?

Yes, this will be my third time.

How has fashion week been for you this season?

Great!  I’ve actually been really selective.  This is my third show.

I saw you in a show three days ago off site in the Meat Packing District.

Yes, designer Sophia Theallet, a beautiful show.

So it must be great to be able to be selective now.

Yes.  I have been doing it [modeling] for so long.  Fashion is not what it used to be, where you could walk in and do 20 campaigns, anymore.  It’s good to finally be able to pick and choose.  And I have to say I do enjoy it more now.

Great, well, I look forward to seeing more of you on the runway!

Check out Arise backstage photographed by Arun Nevader