Behind-The-Seams photos [part 1] Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami 2012

Entering the Oasis tent

Birds-eye View from The Raleigh Penthouse

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami 2012! & VIP Lounge

LUXE by Lisa Vogel runway in the Cabaña Grande, only moments away from starting the show!

Models rehearsing for the CIA.Martima show

Designer Lisa Vogel being interviewed backstage Cabaña Grande

Model getting her hair retouched before the DIESEL show

SKYY Vodka bar & photo booth for guests

Model getting some MAKE UP FORVER done

Press/Media backstage getting photos of the models

Models posing backstage the Oasis before the L*Space by Monica Wise show

Model getting her hair done before hitting the runway

Kristen Cavallari walks the runway with Diesel denim flag for the DIESEL finale

Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton posing for a picture before the CAFFÉ Swimwear show

…to be continued in [part 2] Behind-The-Seams photos [part 2] Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami 2012

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force Hits Miami

Me posing next to the MB Fashion Patrol CLS63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim kicks off this year with “arresting style” as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force, a fully badged 2012 CLS63 AMG hits the streets of Miami to spot “stylesetters” with fresh, creative design looks. Local Miami stylists, media and a special guest have been commissioned for duty to carry out the mission.

Making its way from The Raleigh, home of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, to the chicest neighborhoods in Miami, the CLS63 AMG Fashion Force is pulling over at the sight of a stylesetter and rewarding them with a ride. Each stylesetter chosen by the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force is going to have their picture taken and several are receiving invitations to the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer runway show, Luxe by Lisa Vogel, as well as an invitation to the official fashion force culmination event, at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge at The Raleigh.

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim provides an opportunity to showcase our vehicles to an audience that places a high value on personal style and individualism,”

…says Lisa Holladay, manger of brand experience for Mercedes-Benz USA.

“The 2012 CLS 63 AMG four-door coupe is the perfect vehicle for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force initiative with its fascinating design and significant curb appeal.”

Immediately striking is the innovative front design of the CLS with its long, sporty hood. The elegantly drawn proportions of the CLS silhouette are enhanced by their dynamics and a new interplay of lines and surfaces. The eyes of the vehicle come to life through high-performance LED headlights. Yet the beauty truly lies within, with the all new bi-turbo V8 engine touting 33% better fuel economy.

The 2012 CLS63 AMG became available in June, but if you are lucky enough to be spotted by the Fashion Force you’ll be one of the earliest Miami locals to get a VIP ride.

(Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz)

Backstage Beauty with Beach Bunny Swimwear and MAKE UP FOR EVER…

MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE artist James Vincent created eye catching make up that brought modern pin-up prettiness to the beach, with a wink and a nod toward a more sophisticated showgirl look.

The skin glowed from within thanks to MAKE UP FOR EVER Face & Body Liquid Make Up and MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Blush, which was applied to the apples and high points of the cheekbones.

James created a wash of color on the eyes with a mix of MAKE UP FOR EVER Eye Shadows in #97 (soft pink), #15 (ivory), #156 (taupe) and #165 (dark taupe).

He then applied MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner #13 in black for pin up perfection.

To make the eyes pop, James lined the inside of the eyes with MAKE UP FOR EVER Concealer Pencil.

A modern red lip completed the look. James applied MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense in #46 to perfect the models’ pouts.

Courtesy of: Mercedes-Benz & Make Up Forever

Mara Hoffman 2012 Swim Interview

Designer Mara Hoffman might be best known for her namesake line of vibrant, flirty ready-to-wear pieces & are often spotted on the likes of Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Nicky Hilton and many more — but her swimwear collection is quickly following suit.

Though born and raised in Buffalo, New York before studying at Parson’s in Manhattan and Central St. Martens in London — locales not exactly celebrated for their beachy weather — Hoffman’s swimwear has a decidedly tropical lean, featuring her signature prints in bold, bright colors, sexy cut-outs and bustier shapes.

Mara Hoffman Swim initially debuted as part of her spring/summer 2009 runway show in New York, and ever  since launched into a full-fledged collection with runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami each year.

WWD caught up with the designer to pick her brain about her beach must-haves and her favorite iconic moment in bikini history.

How did you segue from designing ready-to-wear to swimwear?
I’ve actually been adding swim pieces to Spring RTW collections for many years but it wasn’t until Resort 2009 that we made it its own collection. Many of the concepts and prints from the RTW flow over to swim and vice versa. It’s all usually coming from the inspiration source.

Is there a swimsuit style you find universally flattering?
Hmmm, tough one. I think each woman is built differently, so it would be very hard to find one shape that would flatter all.

What is the biggest mistake you think women make when choosing a bikini?
Not trying new shapes. I think it’s easy to get stuck on a shape they think works, but it’s always good to try new ones out.