Australian Fashion Week 2011 ran last month from 2-6 May and was once again an extravaganza in all that is fabulous when it comes to fashion, hair and beauty!
Day 1 opened with a gorgeous summery collection by Zimmerman and throughout the day certain key trends were emerging such as floral prints, acid shades of yellow and tangerine and lots of floaty and sheer fabrics.
Key trends in fashion that emerged over the week at Rosemount Fashion Week included:
Colour blocking – Come the spring and summer we are going to be seeing a lot of bright colours. Think tangerine, acid yellow and cobalt blue. Colour blocking means mixing bright colours together and this is a massive trend for the summer. Designers featuring colour-blocked items included Lisa Ho, Camilla & Marc, Ellery and Alex Perry.
Prints – Perhaps influenced by the spring and summer 1970s trend, prints were back with a vengeance at Australian Fashion Week. Paisley, floral, graphic and Oriental prints were all seen on the catwalks. Little Joe Woman featured 70s inspired prints in pastel tones and veteran supermodel Yasmin Le Bon was persuaded by fellow model turned designer Gail Elliot to model for this show.
All white – The all white look is another popular trend for this spring and summer. Rachel Gilbert, Bec & Bridge and Zimmerman all opted to send models out in all white dresses or separates for a cool, summery look.
Sheer fabrics – Diaphanous, sheer fabrics were all over the catwalks at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. The look is either completely sheer, for the very brave or the very toned, or panelled and sheer, with skirts and blouses featuring sheer panels for a sexy glimpse of flesh. Designers Christopher Esber, Alice McCall and Stolen Girlfriends Club all used sheer fabrics in their collections.
Redken were the official hair partner of Rosemount Fashion Week for the 5th year running and didn’t disappoint with their cutting edge hairstyles featured at over 20 runway shows. Working with over 45 designers throughout fashion week Redken stylists were handpicked from all over Australia.
Another stroke of genius featured the funky, pop-up Redken Retreat salon just outside the catwalk shows. Attendees of Australian Fashion week could drop in and enjoy a style makeover at the Redken Retreat before leaving with a bunch of hand-selected products in a goody bag!
Redken Easy Braid: New woven top-knots and disheveled braids.
Braiding is set to be another hair trend seen on the runway this season where classic chignons and top knots are given a modern twist. This trend fuses various braiding, back combing and positioning techniques inspired by the 50s and 60s and given a contemporary edge with a dishevelled, ruffled undone elegance. The key for this trend is not to make it look tight. It’s the looseness and slight untidiness of this up style hair trend that makes it wearable and versatile.
Recreating This Look:
- Update a polished classic chignon by braiding around the hairline, creating a halo effect. Twist the end of the braid into a rosette shape and pin into place. Tie lengths back into a bunched chignon for a feminine yet effortless style and finish the look with Redken Vinyl Glam 02 mega shine spray.
- The pony tail is a great starting point when creating the season high top knot. Firstly, prepare the hair by using Redken Satinwear 02 ultimate blow-dry lotion. Then instead of twisting the lengths into a standard ballerina bun, try plaiting the pony tail straight and secure at the end with a hair tie. Tease the plait with your fingers to get a soft ruffled texture and help loosen the plait. Fold and twist into a quiff shape and pin in place for a sultry, stunning up do
- Give top knot styles a sleek finish by spraying Redken Quick Dry 18 instant finishing spray on to the back lengths to tame any fly away hairs. By keeping the back lengths tidy and smooth with help accentuate the ruffled texture of the braided bun on top.
ghd also had a team at Australian Fashion Week 2011 featuring hair directors Alan White, Renya Xydis, Jayne Wild and Sophie Roberts who were there to create looks for designer shows such as Romance Was Born, Dion Lee, Manning Cartell, Kirrily Johnston and Lover. Stylists and assistants from ghd salons across Australia were recruited to be part of the backstage teams.
Recreating This Look by Sophie Roberts, ghd Hair Director:
1. Cut a low (just below arch of brow) and deep (use top of ear as a guide) side part on left hand side of the head using the ghd Tail Comb, or a comb with a metal end for military precision.
2. Using a ghd Oval Dressing Brush, wrap dry the hair with a blow dryer, smoothing it against head to establish a zero volume finish.
3. Smooth out the each section of hair with a ghd Gold Classic styler and ghd Ultimate Hairspray to achieve a poker straight finish.
4. Comb the hair at front so it travels directly over the hairline, leaving the part line at top of head exposed. Pull the hair into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with a hat elastic.
5. Wrap the ponytail with a hair net and twist the hair into a scroll, securing it with U pins.
6. Apply ghd Precision Wax to finesse the hair line and part line, then set with a blow dryer.
7. To achieve the black matte finish, spray the hair with a black dry shampoo until it is completely covered.
Make-up artist Napoleon Perdis directed the looks for 17 shows at fashion week including Dion Lee, Rachel Gilbert, Alex Perry and Sabatini.
The Alex Perry show saw models sporting Napoleon Perdis make-up in intense colours to go with the acid shades on the catwalks. A look the beauty editors loved featured bright yellow eyeliner used in the corners of the eyes, leading outwards to a vibrant violet shade, finished off with a sweep of graphic black eyeliner extending out towards the temples.
The make-up at Sabatini drew pure inspiration from 60s fashion icon Twiggy when it came to the eyes with double layers of eyelashes on top and a single layer along the lower lid. The lips were less 60s inspired, no pale pinks here, and coloured deep burgundy providing a gorgeous contrast to the porcelain doll pale complexion.
Recreating This Look:
Napoleon Perdis catwalk looks are always detailed and precise. Many products are used to create these amazing creations, Napoleon Perdis used the below products to recreate the Alex Perry masterpiece.
PREP
Auto Pilot Pre Foundation Skin Primer
Auto Pilot Lip Service
FACE
Sheer Genius Foundation
Mighty Concealer Pen
Translucent Loose Powder
Mesmer-Eyes Mascara
EYES
Eyebrow Pencil Pale Rider/Chocoholic
Colour Disc Purple Haze
Loose Dust Violet Femme
Prismatic Eyeshadow Quad #6
China Doll Eyeliner in Equinox
CHEEKS
Mosaic Blushing
Sable Contour Brush 18b
LIPS
Loose Dust Contrary Canary
Lip Lacquer Clearly Glam
Compact Lip Brush 2b