Photographers: Mark Seliger | Justin Bishop
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Stylist: Rob Zangardi & Mariel Haenn
Outfit: Elie Saab Couture
Makeup Artist: Fiona Stiles using Lancôme
Hairstylist: Gregory Russell
Shoes: Charlotte Olympia
Jewelry: De Beers Forevermark
When you try to keep up with current events, what you have just seen stays subconsciously in the back of your mind for some time and when I plan what topics to cover during the week it can become a sort of hindrance because there are so many things going through my mind that I tend to forget.
That’s what happened with today’s look.
I couldn’t wait to write about it, because it’s one of my favorites of all time and also because I know it is one of those outfits that the actress in question would love to wear again and again–she literally said it in a WhoWhatWear interview–and it can be a big motivator for me to bring it back.
I wanted to write about someone whose hair wasn’t completely dark and here I was, thinking about that reddish reflection which was present on Lily Collins‘ hairdo for the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Afterparty.
What I also considered was the fact that I do deem myself as an archive and by writing about too many current events I was defeating my purpose to bring back red carpet appearances that I am afraid may be forgotten one day.
And believe me, the further back in time you go, the more difficult it is to find reliable information about a past event.
For the famed afterparty, Collins donned a black see-through Elie Saab beaded ensemble decorated with feathers on its lower part, from the Fall 2016 Couture collection. Sadly, we just know that she was wearing a pair of Charlotte Olympia shoes but there was no photo where they were possible to identify.
What was indentifiable was how Collins complemented the look: a pair of De Beers Forevermark by A. Link Wing Earrings set in 18k white and yellow gold, a Multi-Row Offset Eternity Band set in 18k white gold on her right middle finger, a De Beers Forevermark by Imagine Bridal Two Stone Ring set in white gold on her right ring finger, and a De Beers Forevermark by Maria Canale Pastiche Cigar Band Style Ring with a Princess Cut Center Stone set in 18k white gold on her left index finger.
In a video interview for WhoWhatWear, the actress mentioned how much she loved the hair and makeup and that since it was the Vanity Fair Oscar Party it felt like an ode to Old Hollywood glamour was appropriate.
Here is what makeup artist Fiona Stiles had to say about the inspiration for that incredible negative space eyeliner flick you can admire up-close (courtesy of an interview for Harper’s Bazaar): “Lily‘s dress felt very Art Deco, so I wanted to modernize the makeup a little. There was a nod to Old Hollywood… but with a look to the future.”
I compared different sources online and this article by Beauty and Lace seems to be the most complete and reliable regarding the Lancôme products used to achieve those defined bushy brows and crimson defined lips (slightly edited for clarity).
Here is the breakdown:
FACE
– Teint Idole Ultra Wear Cushion Foundation in ‘140 Ivoire N‘;
– Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage High Coverage Concealer in ‘Ivoire N‘;
– Translucent Powder in ‘100‘;
– Blush Subtil Shimmer Naturally Glowing Cheeks in ‘#375 Lilac Love‘;
BROWS
– Sourcils Styler Brow Gel in ‘03 Brun‘;
EYES
– Grandiose Liner in ‘01 Noir Mirifique‘;
– Hypnôse Mascara in ‘01 Noir Hypnotic‘;
LIPS
– Le Crayon Lip Contour in ‘Plum‘;
– L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in ‘397 Berry Noir‘.
Lily‘s hair was styled in an Old Hollywood curled bob with side part by Gregory Russell, which he described as “glossy structured hair” on his Instagram while her nails were kept short and natural.
The “Emily in Paris” actress was styled by Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, an iconic duo, if you ask me.
The amount of clients that they have is huge and they are all equally eclectic and with their own demands. I don’t know how they do it (assistants play a big role of course, it is implied) but they are nonetheless able to craft a storytelling for each of them, even though they all have something in common: they love being over the top.
It’s not the same as to have multiple men clients who love simple suits, it’s a different game here and I loved the fact that this time they tried to be “consciously over the top” with this Elie Saab dress, because it screams luxury but in a chic way; honestly one of the best Vanity Fair Oscar Afterparty ensembles of all time.
