The MBFWA Diaries Part 3

At the other end of the spectrum, NZ-born Johanna Johnson’s Mercedes-Benz presented show at Australia Fashion Week is large and glam to the point of O-T-T, with an unsubtle yet effective gold runway…

Julie Roulston brings Thread her diary from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

Read her first instalment on Romance was Born here and The MBFWA Diaries Part 2 here. Next up: Day 3…

The MBFWA Diaries
Part 3

Day Two!

Another early start, another cab fare…this time to design store Koskela in Roseberry, for the Zimmermann show (pictured left).

Backstage I learn that the hair for the show is the sweetest of rag-bound updoes by Goldwell.

Makeup is by Linda Jefferyes for M.A.C. She wants to give the makeup a slight edge to offset the label’s prettiness, so goes for what she describes as a ‘punky’ brow (“think Boy George/Haysi Fantayzee” she says). Linda uses a little silver colour on the eye and underneath it, to ensure the brow isn’t too heavy.

Bless the lovely, lovely Zimmermanns for putting on breakfast! Koskela hosts a fabulous cafe – Kitchen by Mike – where we are treated to the classiest of bacon butties, pastries, juice and mint tea.

I really enjoy the ‘Clique Clique’ collection – it’s a lot more structured than I had expected from the largely swim/resortwear label, and includes some beautiful cutting and seaming as well as lush texture. And mirrors on the ceiling!

Back at the OPT, New Zealand M.A.C senior artist Amber D is keying the makeup for By Johnny – a first timer at MBFWA and runner-up contestant on Project Runway. I’m irrationally proud to say the makeup is beautiful.

And don’t even get me started on how much hairstylist work went on underneath and at back of the head, to Houdini long model manes into tiny flat buns so that the hair overtop looked short.

By Johnny’s ‘AudreyAlix’ collection is concise and deft and features a cool ‘scribble’ stripe and floral puff-prints.

At the other end of the spectrum, NZ-born Johanna Johnson’s Mercedes-Benz presented show is large and glam to the point of O-T-T, with an unsubtle yet effective gold runway.

Johnson’s studio is in Paddington, and she found fame when Mad Men star Christina Hendricks wore one of her gowns at last year’s Emmy Awards. The designer’s inaugural MBFWA show was strongly 1920s themed.

My last show of the day is Bowie. Backstage I see yet more extraordinary hair, (Goldwell again). I have to say that runway hair is fast becoming one of the standouts of the week for me.

The show isn’t my personal cup of tea but I’m not much in the market for couture and bridal gowns. Certainly it is very well attended and I overhear positive noises from those who know, in the media room as we pack up post show.

Words and photos by Julie Roulston using Sony NEX

5 May 2012