Mexico lindo! @ Mara Hoffman Spring 2012

 Frida Kahlo (top left) was the inspiration for Mara Hoffman's Spring 2012 hair & makeup look

For Spring 2012, Hoffman turned to Mexico for inspiration even bringing out a mariachi band at the beginning of the presentation.  Incorporating folkloric prints and embroideries into her rompers, dresses, shorts, and blouses, then adding her own modern, urban touch through sheer fabrics, exaggerated silhouettes, asymmetrical hemlines, and technicolor accents. As an ode to the late Frida Kahlo, TIGI hairstylist Nick Irwin created massive braids and twisted them atop models' heads. But, instead of creating the crown-like form associated with Kahlo's signature updo, which involves a single thick braid running from the back of one ear to the back of the other ear in an arc-like shape along the top and center of the head, Irwin took the braided strands and twisted them in pretzel-like formations for more exaggerated, spiraling 'dos — some of which could've rivaled Carmen Miranda's headdresses in height. To add even more Kahlo charm, colorful printed ribbon strips were woven into models' strands, rosette accents were tucked inside their updos, and tall blades grass were occasionally tucked along the back of models' heads.

The MakeUpForEver team, meanwhile, conjured up Kahlo's spirit by giving the 
models' skin a golden bronzed glow, particularly along the top of the cheeks, and darkening their brows for a stronger overall look (thankfully, they circumvented the temptation to give them faux unibrows). To complete the Coyoacán-ready accouterments, Hoffman enlisted Holst and Lee to create threaded rope and seed bead necklaces in vibrant colors and to produce custom wedge sandals featuring wooden soles and woven straps incorporating her new Spring 2012 prints (tying the footwear back to the apparel).

Check out the presentation here: