The WORLD show last Wednesday evening was everything we’ve come to expect, particularly when the label partners with its sponsor The Langham: luxury (Lanvin Champagne and makeup touch-ups by Shiseido), gracious hospitality (table seating in The Grand Room, with plentiful canapés and Man O’ War wines), and wit (the Garth Badger-produced short film starring designers Francis, Benny and Denise, which preceeded the show).
The fashion was very strong – seems ironic that WORLD of all labels should join the tight ranks of those who can do wearable AND directional – and it was delightful seeing an exceptionally styled summer collection on the runway – usually we are restricted to winter collections at New Zealand Fashion Week, from labels of this calibre.
As we’ve also come to expect from a WORLD show, the hair and makeup played a key role. Michael Beel (Buoy, Wellington) keyed the hair for ghd, and tells us: “The starting point was a streamlined, aerodynamic, modern French roll I created.
There were three stories within the female models: girls in the first story had different versions of the tight, high-shine French roll shape – the hero product was ghd Final Shine Spray.
The second story was a voluminous bulbous shape, created using padding – a ‘60s Adele- shaped feeling, once again with high shine.
The last two girls were where the volume got serious – French roll meets alien. Cone head-like proportions, using cushion padding (from Spotlight!) to create out-of-this world shapes inspired once again by aerodynamics, with one shape even having a feeling of the Olympic cyclists’ helmets.
The boys had a gelled, low side part reminiscent of a sleazy Guido with their painted on glitter moustaches.”
That same glitter was used to smashing effect on models’ ankles to create a bobby-socks effect – looking at the picture we suggest you do not try this at home! Nails were by Magic Tan and Nails, and included fabulous black caviar talons.
FashioNZ’s photographer Sam Lee was welcomed backstage and took dozens of stunning pics behind the velvet curtain – CLICK HERE to see our handpicked selection.
– Julie Roulston