Monica D. Murgia

It’s so much fun when your best friend is a fashion designer!  You get to see the entire evolution of the design process.  And it’s even more fun when one of her models can’t be in the show and you have to fill in!  Ashley McAleavy of Remedy Designs is who I’m referring to, and this post is all about my experience backstage at her F/W 2013 show.

Remedy is a line that focuses on sustainability.  Ashley is really committed to creating fashion that is environmentally friendly, beautiful, and completely sourced and finished right here in America.  I’ve been lucky enough to attend a collection preview before.  (New to my site?  Please take a look at Remedy: Collection Preview)  I was really blown away by her latest collection.  It was so sophisticated.  When I arrived for hair and makeup, I wanted to wear every look!

Tawni Michelle Landford, left, applying makeup before the show.

There was a full hair and makeup team.  I was so lucky to have the lead makeup artist, Tawni Michelle Landford of Dramatizon Makeup Design and Kristine Murillo style me.  By the time they were finished with me, I felt like I could be a fairy princess on the set of Lord of the Rings!  Ladies, if you have an important event and need hair and makeup, DEFINITELY contact these two talented ladies!  Their artistry and vision is beyond words.

Kristine Murillo styling a model before the show.

I can’t tell you how pleasant both Kristine and Tawni were to work with.  I had my hair done first by Kristine.  She was so kind!  She was careful to ask what I was comfortable doing with my hair, which way I like to part it, and so on.  If you know me at all, I have just about given up on my hair.  It has a mind of it’s own.  I told her that she was the professional, so she could have her way with my unruly mane.  She definitely worked her magic, creating a beautiful coil of braids around the top part of my hair.  Then she curled the ends.

Next, I was off to Tawni who was beyond stellar.  She was really gentle in applying the makeup.  She made me feel so comfortable, telling me stories and making up laugh.  We had a blast talking about everything from the makeup, fashion week, to the movie Desperately Seeking Susan.  Tawni is so creative, and designed the beautiful metallic foil look.  She made sure that each of model had a slightly different variation to enhance our individual features.

Then, Ashley pulled my look and helped me get dressed.  I absolutely ADORED this outfit!  It was a black sequin skirt with a grosgrain ribbon waistband.  She had transformed really lackluster dress from the 1980s into the beautiful skirt below.  The corset top was made from white ultra suede from pillows, and trimmed in black ribbon along the boning.  The level of skill and detail in each of these pieces was definitely couture.  And I felt so beautiful!  I was so happy to be wearing Ashley’s design.

Then, all of the models lined up backstage.

Ashley talked about each of the pieces in the collection.  She explained what each garment had been before, and how she transformed it to what we saw on the models.  It was so interesting to hear the process.  She talked about spray dyeing silk, to altering beaded dresses, to transforming the ultra suede pillows into a corset.  Now that is creativity and innovation!  I’m in awe of her talent and vision.

And isn’t she pretty, too?  I loved her black dress.  Of course, it’s one of her own designs.

There were so many fabulous dresses.  One of my other favorites was a black jersey dress that had hand applied Swarovski crystals down the sleeves, and  closed with a metal and crystal tie back.  See below:

Still, I loved the outfit Ashley had me wear.  I hope no one bought it yet, because I totally want to add it to my wardrobe!  Be sure to visit Remedy on the web to place your orders.  And remember that Ashley can custom make pieces just for you.