AAFW 2023: Redken x Hair Director Justin Pace x Next Gen

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 - hair by Redken Hair Director, Justin Pace and the Redken Backstage Styling Crew - two models ready to walk the runway with loose hair strands, slicked back hair and a top knot

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 – Redken x Hair Director, Justin Pace x Next Gen.

Emerging designs took the runway on the final day of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, as Redken and Justin Pace styled the Next Gen show. Justin worked with these 2023 winners in this emerging program to create two key looks that embodied the unique elements of all four collections.

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 - hair by Redken Hair Director, Justin Pace and the Redken Backstage Styling Crew - five models with hair done ready to walk the runway

“The first key look was a ponytail top knot with a soft hairline and a mixture of wet and dry textures throughout, to ensure the models’ locks flowed majestically down the catwalk. The second look was an effortless blowout with hair tucked behind the ears to emulate that popular sexy style that we’ve seen on the runway a lot this year,” Justin said.

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 - hair by Redken Hair Director, Justin Pace and the Redken Backstage Styling Crew - model walking down the runway with loose hair strands, slicked back hair and a top knot

The first look was created by pulling the ponytail back first and leaving the front hairline out, while working through Redken Root Lifter, and finishing with Max Hold Hairspray for root and shine. The second look was achieved with a blow dry and added Max Hold Hairspray to finish.

The four collections included Cameron Hill, which is predicated on a love for handmade textures and machine knitting, as a reimagining of grandma-esque knitted lacework and intricate geometric patterning with luxury, minimalistic, innovative and rich designs and textiles.

Liandra Swim was created by Liandra Gaykamangu, a Yolngu woman from North East Arnhem land, as a fashion house that fuses contemporary Aboriginal Australian culture with premium designer swimwear. The label has signature prints inspired by the designer’s lived experiences and showcases how Gaykamangu connects with community, culture, and country.

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 - Redken Hair Director, Justin Pace doing a model's hair surrounded by four Redken Backstage Styling Crew Members

Ruby Pedder is a new frontier in casual couture, offering artistic, sculptural and wearable art as womenswear. The made to order brand blurs the lines between art and fashion, with delicate silhouettes and explosive forms inspired by the rebellious attitudes of surrealism and feminist movements.

Finally, XI WU Studio, by designer Xixi Wu, offers designs that are artistically engaging with subtle juxtapositions and contemporary detailing, intertwining traditional and new design techniques. Each collection tells the story of the designer’s bi-cultural upbringing via both Eastern and Western garment techniques.