At one point or another, we all dream about seeing our name in big shiny lights for the world to see. Some of us embark on a quest for fame, others for fortune, but if you’re Canadian designer extraordinaire Lucian Matis, you forget all the rules and build yourself a 10-foot-high marquee to get your point across.

Held off-site at the Design Exchange in Toronto’s financial district, Matis’ Fall 2011 show was larger than life. From the knits to the hair, to the embellished and extravagant garments, nothing was left unadorned. Pumps were detailed with black and silver baubles, and even the tights were encrusted with gems and sequins that have instilled in me an urge to break out the bedazzler. Chunky knits were combined with intricately beaded Balmain-style blazers, dresses and skirts, all in a gold, black and silver palette that radiated elegance.

Backstage Beauty: Lucian Matis

The hair and makeup at Lucian Matis was a perfect match for the organized chaos of golden brocades and silver sequined garments that graced the v-shaped runway.

Towering asymmetrical bouffants created by Schwarzkopf Essential Looks Stylist Paul Pereira were harder to miss than the giant marquee sign illuminating the designer’s name. The back of the hair was tightly contained in a French braid to expose the nape of the neck, while hair pieces were added to the top and teased into oblivion with the help of OSiS Dust It Mattifying Powder and Freeze Hairspray for a tumbleweed-like texture.

With such theatrical hair, Smashbox Pro Artist Lori Taylor decided on a neutral face. Earth-tones hues were layered to create a diffused eye and contoured cheeks with the Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit. Eyes were then rimmed and outfitted with faux lashes at the outer corners, and lips were coated with deep caramel and nude tones to create a soft, two-dimensional look.

Not to let the garments steal all the attention, nails were treated to major embellishment with three different designs envisioned by Leeanne Colley of Toronto’s Tips Nail Bar. Gold tips were painted with Orly Luxe and jazzed up with crushed black gems, metal pieces were placed over the charcoal grey CND Hyde in the Dark and one model stole the show with black nails dripped in long fringe.

By: Daniela DiStefano

You should follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano.