Backstage at Bibhu Mohapatra’s Spring/Summer ’26 show was a study in contrasts—strength meeting softness, modern edge paired with timeless elegance. As models lined up for their touch-ups, the beauty teams crafted looks that echoed the designer’s inspirations: women who are confident, fearless, and unapologetically themselves.
The Makeup: A Sultry Eye with Indian Roots
This season marked a shift for Mohapatra, with the makeup team drawing inspiration from India in a more intentional way. “It’s actually show makeup that was Indian inspired,” lead makeup artist Luis Casco shared. “Over the years, he hasn’t wanted to be so obvious about the makeup. So what we’re doing is a real heavy under eye, sort of inverted cat eye where there’s nothing on top—it’s just underneath.”
The focus was a sharp, sultry line below the eyes, layered with touches of black, green, or blue tones lifted directly from the collection’s palette. The rest of the face stayed bronzy and sun-kissed, evoking days spent outdoors in summer heat. “I love playing up eyes,” the artist added. “It’s a great feature to concentrate on, and with this look, it’s about confidence. I also love that each show this week—Sergio Hudson, Cesar Galindo, and now Bibhu—has showcased a completely different personality through makeup. That’s what beauty should do.”
The Hair: Confidence from Every Angle
If the eyes spoke of sultry mystery, the hair delivered structure and strength. Joseph DiMaggio, master hair stylist, using Rika products from Sicily, the styling team created a modern twist on classic updos—youthful yet refined, with an edge. “We wanted a tougher girl, but still pretty and elegant,” explained the lead hairstylist.
The look featured a slight pompadour in the front for striking confidence, sleeked-back sides twisted along the parietal ridge, and ends left out for softness. “From all angles, you get a different picture,” he said. “It’s never static, always interesting—and that’s what I love about it.” The style, he noted, was a tribute to the strong women who have inspired Mohapatra since his childhood.
The Nails: Subtle Statements
On the nails, nail artist Pattie Yankee leaned toward minimalist yet meaningful. Pulling from Mohapatra’s themes of resilience and grace, the nail team kept things subtle—soft tones and clean finishes that let the clothes and makeup shine while still offering a polished detail for the runway close-up. “Each model stays true to the root of themselves and their primary color, a dash of identity that elevates Bibhu’s overall vision for this incredible new collection.”
A Unified Vision
Taken together, the beauty direction underscored Bibhu Mohapatra’s signature: modern glamour rooted in heritage, elevated by a deep respect for women’s power. The bronzed skin, inverted cat eye, architectural hair, and pared-back nails all carried the same message—confidence, strength, and elegance, told from different vantage points.
Backstage was electric yet calm, the hum of hairspray and final touch-ups punctuated by laughter and camaraderie. It was beauty not just as an accessory to the clothes, but as an extension of the story Mohapatra wanted to tell.
XOXO,
Your Fashion Besie
