HAIR FASHION FILES: MBFWA SPOTLIGHT

Enter Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia; a week-long spectacle of styling bringing the fastidiously robed it-crowd to an earth stopping halt.

And that’s just the arrivals.

A melting pot for new and established designers, out-of-this-world garments and more than a few iconic moments (cheers Ksubi), Australia’s annual resort offering has fast become a fashionably stitched tour-de-force, with a talent roster to rival even the most authoritative of international runways.

The crown atop each dazzling week-long feat? The hair, of course. And backstage a who’s who of the nation’s finest hairstylists never cease to work their creative magic; crafting both the wild and ready-to-wear looks that will go on to dictate our seasonal palettes. And hair dreams to come…

While the annual event has hit pause for 2020 (as with most of its international predecessors) there’s no reason not to revel in Fashion Week’s past. Here, we recap some of the most memorable hair looks to have graced the MBFWA runway, over the course of the event series’ last incredible decade.

2012 // ALAN WHITE X GINGER & SMART

The ‘Wildflower’. An intricate take on the modern mohawk for Ginger & Smart Resort ’12. Hair by Alan White.

Images via Pinterest

2012 // SHARON BLAIN X CAMILLA

The ‘Gypsette’. Top buns, ponytails and fishtail braids ornamented with custom florals and feathers. Hair by Sharon Blain for Camilla Resort ’12.

Images via Pinterest

2013 // ALAN WHITE X ROMANCE WAS BORN

Bowl cut wigs in a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues. As is the Romance Was Born way. Hair by Alan White.

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2014 // SERPENT & THE SWAN X JANELLE CHAPLIN

Criss-cross parts with a burnished finished. Hair by Janelle Chaplin for Serpent & the Swan Resort ’14.

Images via Pinterest

2014 // DI$COUNT UNIVER$E X RENYA XYDIS

An explosion of colours and textures for Di$count Univer$e. Did we mention sparkles? As envisioned and crafted by Renya Xydis.

Images via Pinterest

2015 // JOHN PULITANO X ONE FELL SWOOP

Wet look curtain fringe with gelled sideburns à la John Pulitano. The look for One Fell Swoop, Resort ’15.

Images Supplied

2015 // BYRON TURNBULL X DYSPNEA

Swirling, gelled tendrils for Dyspnea Resort ’15. A look perfectly crowned with regal headpieces. Hair by Byron Turnbull.

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2016 // LAUREN MCCOWAN X C/MEO COLLECTIVE

Effortless, glitter buns for C/Meo Collective Resort ’16. The epitome of cool girl hair, by Lauren McCowan.

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2016 // RICHARD KAVANAGH X ZHIVAGO

Fractured beauty. Soft strands, ‘interrupted’ by artfully placed thread for Zhivago Resort ’16. Hair by Richard Kavanagh.

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2017 // RENYA XYDIS X SASS & BIDE

Ornamental chains alternated across braids and ponytails for Sass & Bide Resort ’17. Har by Renya Xydis.

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2017 // DALE DELAPORTE X KARLA SPETIC

A flash of pastel colour, alternated across side ponytails and twisted pigtails. Hair by Dale Delaporte for Karla Spetic Resort ’17.

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2018 // TRAVIS BALCKE X AKIRA

Super sleek, oriental inspired updo with artfully splayed ends. Hair by Travis Balcke for Akira Resort ’18.

Images via @travisbalckehair

2018 // RENYA XYDIS X ROMANCE WAS BORN

Swirled details, sequinned stars and lashings of glitter at Romance Was Born Resort ’18. Hair by Renya Xydis.

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2019 // BEN MARTIN X KARLA SPETIC

Call of the sirens. Freshwater pearls and whimsical crimps for Karla Spetic Resort ’19. Hair by Ben Martin.

Images via @karlaspetic

2019 // ALI HOLMES X DOUBLE RAINBOUU

Hair painting, fine rope details and flushes of pastel colour at Double Rainbouu Resort’ 19. Hair by Ali Holmes.

Images Supplied