Every time Australian Fashion Week rolls around, all eyes tend to fall on the attire and stylish ensembles that cruise down the runway and the tram tracks at Carriageworks.
But, despite Sydney’s dreary, gloomy weather, bold beauty was the order of the day and perfectly complimented the daring, adventurous fashion moments that the week is known for.
This year, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week has taken the beauty world by storm, with runway-after-runway giving us hints of natural tresses, exaggerated eyes and plentiful pouts.
And while the cooler weather played a large part in determining the outfits of those attending the shows, designers made sure that no stone was left unturned when it came to beauty.
Striking makeup moments and sleek, shiny tresses contrasted the bleak, cooler temperatures outdoors and brought life to the garments as they swanned down runways at each show.
Below, check out marie claire Australia’s edit of the best beauty moments from Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022.
Bianca Spender
Championed by Goldwell Hair Director Chris Hunter, Bianca Spender’s Resort ’23 show saw two effortlessly chic hair looks take to the runway. Each style was motivated by the concept of ‘disruptive beauty’ and focused on highlighting each model’s natural texture.
“It’s effortless, chic, shiny, it’s healthy,” Hunter told marie claire Australia. As for which hair product was a go-to for Hunter on the day, it was Goldwell’s Power Whip strengthening mousse. “The Goldwell range is so diverse, and incorporating them into the hair we’ve done has been really, really easy.”
Enhancing natural, yet polished movement, the first look saw the hair down with natural texture, movement and shine. While look two, focused on naturally pulled back hair with a low twist bun at the nape of the neck. Essentially, a take on the every day.
Gary Bigeni
The ‘King Of Colour’, Gary Bigeni made his long-awaited comeback to Australian Fashion Week after six years away, and by all means, he didn’t disappoint. A symphony of colour that’s true to his DNA, the bright and bombastic neon hues weren’t reserved for just the clothing. While most of the face was left natural, the eyes were adorned with a wash of glittering rhinestones and shimmering additions. After all, the show was the epitome of celebration.
Bondi Born
The epitome of resort wear, Bondi Born’s Resort ’23 show saw tones of chartreuse and 80s inspired lilac fashioned into robes, soft tailored sets, swimwear, and yes, makeup too. Clarins’ Head of Make-Up Artistry, Anne Salem, led the charge using Clarins to make each model runway ready. The looks themselves boasted glowing, radiant skin and makeup moments in sorbet shades and contrasts of khaki and plum, along with iridescent blue eyeshadow and peachy cheeks and lips.
Romance Was Born
For Romance Was Born’s Resort ’23 show, Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett showed a pop punk collection inspired by the artist’s iconic reef artworks—basically, a watery disco heaven. As for the makeup, well the brand never disappoints. An eclectic combination of colour and technique, Makeup Director for MECCA MAX, Nicole Thompson, was inspired by Ken Done’s Art, tropical fish, birds and the underwater magic of a coral reef. To do so, metallic shades were used on the lips and eyes—ranging from bold eye moments to ombre hues taking over half the face.
Bec + Bridge
Oroton
Complimenting the ’60s-inspired collection, Oroton’s beauty looks revolved around youthful and dewy complexions with touches of peach hues for a faux sun-kissed look. Thanks to Janelle Jerusalem, MECCA’s Lead Artist described her beauty direction as being “inspired by the feeling of escapism, there is an ode to the timeless, elegant and fresh-faced youthfulness of the skin—the way the cheeks naturally flush and the dewy warmth it evokes after some time in the sun”.
Erik Yvon
Arguably the most vibrant and fun show of the entire week (yes, we know that’s an early statement to make). Not only did the show sport an electric atmosphere, but the beauty moments played just as important of a part as the eccentric garments. Donning a kaleidoscope of explosive hues, high doses of colour looked as if it were painted on models’ eyes like an artwork, which it was. All in all, the commitment to colour was a joy to fawn over as every new interpretation of the collection’s concept walked the runway.
St. Agni
Similar to its brand DNA, St. Agni’s Resort ’23 kept beauty rather minimal. But this time around, the collections ode to metal-like silvers and metallic hues were represented in the show’s makeup moments. On the eyes, models sported pops of the metal shades on the inner corners of the eye, and in some cases, even cascading down the sides of the nose. As for hair, tresses were kept natural to let the sparkles of metallics shine.
Mariam Seddiq
While most shows saw makeup reign supreme, hair took centre stage at the Mariam Seddiq Resort ’23 show. Each model donned a set of finger waves, with some seeing the wave make its way all the way across the forehead, all thanks to ghd Hair Director Natalie Anne.
“Mariam kept sketching these beautiful shapes and curves in her artworks, so I wanted to replicate this through the hair looks for the AAFW show,” Anne said in a press release.
“We wanted to embody a look that was reminiscent of the classic finger wave silhouette but mirror it to suit the modern empowered woman that is Mariam Seddiq.”
Indigenous Fashion Projects
- We created a really strong centre part, then we’ve wet down the hair section starting with Redkin Guts 10 Volume Mousse, it just gives the hair this really awesome texture so as it dries through the hair it’ll still look wet, like you’ve spent the day at the beach.
- After we’ve run that through the hair, we combed it off their face and kept the centre part really tight around their ears. Then we clipped it and let it set.
- Then, diffuse the hair for about 10 minutes.
- Take the clips out and shake it all out, and that’s it!
Aje
For Aje’s Resort ’23 collection, models walked the runway in cheerful and bright colour ways with bountiful silhouettes to match. But when it came to makeup, there wasn’t much on offer—and that was for the best. Thanks to Skin Director, Isabella Schimid, each model was treated to an extensive Sunday Riley facial before the show and were left with skin so radiant that only necessary concealer was required. As for hair, O&M kept their tresses slicked at the roots and manes were kept with natural texture.
Daniel Avakian
At the Resort ’23 presentation for Daniel Avakian, models took to the runway in variations of royal blue and crimson red makeup moments. The opening model for the show donned a long rectangular shape in that same blue hue placed along their eyes and paired with bleached eyebrows, while other donned only a bold lip.
Karla Spetic
One glance at the Karla Spetic Resort ’23 presentation and an inspiration of the sea and its inhabitants was evident. To emulate that concept, models took to the runway with wet-look hair that essentially looked, well, soaking wet. Pieces of hair sat slicked to the head while other pieces lay flat on the face and across the forehead.
Sass & Bide
At Sass and bide’s Resort ’23 collection, bold colour was used to highlight the creases in the eyes. Painted on either side of the crease, bold colour began at the inner corner and tapered to the middle of the brow, while the rest flicked out from the eye like a cat eye wing.
Torannce
For Torannce’s Resort ’23 collection, there was a clear ode to the 1970s. While it was done so through the collection, models’ hair and makeup also emulated the decade’s homage. With shag haircuts and bold front fringes, the ’70s are headed back to our hair, so it’s time to book a cut.
Dyspnea
For Dyspnea’s Resort’ 23 collection, pops of colour were the order of the day when it came to makeup moments. Using shades of fuchsia, lavender and turquoise, the colours were blended out across the entire eye lid, skimming underneath the brow bone and continuing to the temple.
Jordan Dalah
At Jordan Dalah’s eclectic Resort ’23 collection, models sported dramatic hair partings and side fringes, all thanks to hair director Madison Voloshin.
“I took inspiration from the Jordan Dalah collection. His clothes are so creative and unique so I use that as a starting point,” she said. “I love creating strong, simple looks as much as I do creating something unique and dramatic so working with Dalah is the perfect opportunity to explore something more creative.”
“The clothes themselves have such beautiful shapes and form and this is what I emulated in the hair. It’s important that the hair compliments the clothing and not detract. I created a look that was simple—a strong part, straight hair—and added one statement element. An organic shape that wraps around the head.”
But how did Voloshin achieve the look for the night? Well, she the steps aren’t as complicated as you’d think.
“Blow dry hair peeled with Davroe Thermoprotect and Davroe Smoothing Balm. Iron straight,” she explained. “Create diagonal side part from mid of the left eye… with two, one centremetre sections underneath from the hair line all the way to the base of the right ear. Then attached insert and cover with 1 section of hair at a time holding in place with hair elastic and secured with Davroe Complete Aerosol and a blowdryer… repeat until completely cover and be at the top section.”
