While most eyes are on the clothes during Fashion Week, the hair and makeup set a designer’s tone. We caught up with Chris Benz in his studio a week before his presentation (slated for 4:30 p.m. today) to see how the little things help the big picture come together. In the midst of casting models, finishing up his collection, and tweaking the final styling, he was also hands-on with his hair-and-makeup team. Culling inspiration from the sixties, Shelly Duvall, and the quintessentially chic Parisian girl, the look was windswept and wide-eyed. John Ruidant created a backcombed bun with a twist of elastic to give the illusion of a girl riding a Vespa, while Lancôme makeup artist Daniel Martin created a slightly “kooky” DIY face. Watch the video to see how they pulled it off.
See more: Chris Benz’s Spring 2011 Collection