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

Share and Save

Napoleon Perdis is a well-known makeup artist, as well as an even better known make up brand.  The Brand has been around for as long as I can remember, and I and most people I know have at least one of their own personal can’t live without Napoleon product. For me it is the Auto Pilot Primer.

Mr Perdis’ makeup journey began out of his small make up studio in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Leichhardt, which he opened in 1992. A few years later he debuted his first concept store on Sydney’s Oxford Street, boasting a full cosmetic collection. Today Napoleon Perdis is sold in more than 65 concept stores and over 4,500 point of sale locations across Australia and New Zealand.

In more recent years the Napoleon Perdis brand expanded to the United States where there are a number of concept stores, and there is a large cult-like Celebrity following for the brand. Stars such as Leighton Meester, Teri Hatcher and Evangeline Lilly, are just some of the Hollywood following that the brand has.

Napoleon’s business partners are his younger brother Emanuel Perdis and his wife Soula-Marie, with both of whom he co-founded his cosmetics empire from the very outset.
Soula-Marie Perdis is the finance and operations director and head of product development. At Napoleon Perdis there is no animal testing, however there is Soula-Marie testing. She says she “is happy to be a guinea pig for all our new releases, I’ve been doing it wince we first launched the business.”

Emanuel Perdis is the dynamic Managing Director and co-founder of Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics. Emanuel’s laser-bright business acumen combined with Napoleon’s entrepreneurial gusto for cosmetics has created one of Australia’s and one of the world’s most formidable makeup brands.

Napoleon Perdis inspiration comes from many places, fashion, Hollywood, music, art and so on. Although the have a constant eye on the runway, the one constant is making beauty trends wearable. With a range of collections including Auto Pilot, China Doll and Madame one of Napoleon’s luxuries is being able to choose what you want, mixing and layering products to create a truly unique and individual professional look. You can tailor you the products to suit your needs and lifestyle.

In 2008 Napoleon Perdis, instigated by Emanuel, pioneered a social outreach program for the company with Ovarian Cancer Australia. Whilst with different mediums both the brand and this charity believe in educating women, empowering them and boosting self-esteem. The collaboration began with the net proceeds of all DéVine Goddess Herra going to the charity. As of February this year Napoleon now contributes the proceeds of every Auto Pilot Lip service sold at a Napoleon Concept store.

Over the years the Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy has fast become the place for makeup education. The first Makeup Academy was opened in 1995 alongside the first concept store, there are now eight campuses that boasting stimulating lessons, state-of-the-art facilities and trainers at the top of their field, these industry-recognised programs enable many students to gain valuable experience in the retail, fashion and television sector. Fun, affordable and flexible, the Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy opens up a world of possibilities

If you haven’t yet tried Napoleon Perdis makeup, your missing out!

Buy Napoleon Online – at Ry.com.au and save!

Share and Save

This season there seems to be a current trend on the cards of the new age icons. The days of Hepburn and Coco Chanel are not all but gone, but they certainly have some new contenders.

Stars including the likes of Katy Perry and Stefani Germanotta aka lady gaga are setting new trends left right and center.

Anybody like polka dots? Or lots of colour?  Katy Perry does! When she’s not topping the charts with her controvercial music lyrics, she is gracing the catwalks and a-list parties with her bright and loud outfits.  We are loving her vivid lips and bright bold happy colours.

What I love most is her adaptation of the modern manicure – polka dots! Perry believes if you need to “wear a look and not a look wear you, its all about having self-confidence, which helps you pull off anything”
She is not quiet about sharing her inspiration source telling Vogue that  she gets her colourful influence from the ‘90s teen comedy Clueless.

To Create gorgeous bold colourful eyes:

Get creative with Napoleon Perdis China Doll Eyeliners and create a list of colours that wont smear or smudge on the eye!

For best results apply using Flat Shader Brush 10b.

What colours can you create?

Share and Save

Ever wanted the quality of Napoleon Perdis makeup but never had the cash to spend? With the new NP SET range out now, every girl has the chance to have a little Napoleon in their life, with the range being exclusive to Target and Napoleon Perdis concept stores.

The Napoleon Perdis philosophy is not dictated by fashion: it’s about celebrating and elevating your natural beauty with confidence-building products. You name it, this range has it. Foundations, eyeliners, mascaras, lipsticks, brushes, bronzers and gift sets. Why go anywhere else when everything you need is in this affordable, yet great quality makeup.

This new line is being described as the playful, younger sister to the prestige range. The spirited NP Set Collection is inspired by the world’s fashion capitals with loud colours and beauty essentials that are easy-to-use. Now I can tell you that it’s 98% paraben-free but most of us don’t know what paraben is! When it comes to choosing makeup, the most important question asked should be, “Is it good for my skin?” When it comes to the NP Set range, the answer is yes! The products boast organic benefits for our skin and provide a light, breathable coverage that can make anyone feel a million dollars.

The founder and manager of both Napoleon Perdis and NP Set would surely know his way around a makeup brush. With celebrity clients including Evangeline Lilly, Debra Messing, Nicollette Sheridan and Hilary and Hayley Duff. This man is the face of makeup, and the genius has done it again, with a range that any budget can afford.

Share and Save