Black #14 Cover: Derek Kettela shoots Ashley Smith in Louis Vuitton

Sitting at McCollams (our printers) with the whir of machines in the background. A good time to put up our new cover. Photography by Derek Kettela, fashion editor Michelle Cameron, make-up by Valery Gherman at Defacto.inc using MAC Cosmetics, hair by Shin Arima at Frankreps.com, model: Ashley Smith at Trump NY. Ashley wears: knit dress by Louis Vuitton, belt by Ralph Lauren, scarf by Meeshina.

Lonely Hearts S/S 2011 - Alone

The new Lonely Hearts Spring/Summer 2011 look book arrived this morning and we're digging it. Shot very nicely indeed by ex-pat Kiwi Rene Vaile in Sydney, styled by one of Sydney's best Tamila Purvis, the look book stars Anja Konstantinova @ Priscillas, make-up by the fab Nicole Thompson @ M.A.C Cosmetics and great hair by Timothy Stone. The Lonelys are gaining serious traction in both New Zealand and Australia and this collection will only add to that impetus.

Preview: Black issue #14

Photo: Paul Empson  Fashion editor: June Nakamoto
Make-up: Tatyana Makarova Hair: Franco Argento
Model: Michaela Kocianova at Elite Paris
Michaela wears:  Moschino Cheap & Chic, Dior, YSL, La Bagagerie, Karry'o

Phew! That was a deadline and a half! Mag at the printers so here are a few preview images from Black issue #14 to whet your appetite. It's our biggest issue ever and of course our 5th birthday issue. Time to crack open a nice bottle of Shiraz

Photo: Christopher Morris Fashion editor:David Bonney
Make-up Nicole Thompson  Hair: Gavin Anesbury
Model: Krystal Glynn at The Agency Krystal: Wears Zambesi

Nick Von K's black pearl snake head pieces

Photo: Daniel Max

Auckland jeweller Nick Von K has created something special with these black pearl, 18 carat white gold snakehead pieces. The bespoke, one-offs feature very rare, perfectly round black pearls sourced from a friend of photographer Daniel Max. "Willy" is the son of a Tahitian pearl farmer and had the pearls in his possession for many years before allowing Nick to use them for these unique, gorgeous pieces. For the larger piece, Nick came up with the idea of the snake swallowing the pearl, Willy loved it and Von K took the pearl to Bali where his best carver spent three days carving the snake head to fit perfectly whilst Von K sat with him to discuss the design. Von K has a valuation certificate valuing the piece at NZ $11,000. Anyone genuinely interested in the pieces can contact Nick directly: nick@nickvonk.com

Beau Is The Go!

All photos by Greg Novak

Along with No Magazine editor Delany Tabron and Megan from FQ, we spent a late afternoon at the House of Last showroom in Chippendale, Sydney in between shows at last week's RAFW. Utterly fabulous New Zealand-born shoe designer Carrie Cooper and her able director of marketing, fellow Kiwi Carla Robinson, entertained us and showed us through the new range of Beau Coops, Carrie's signature label. To say that Beau Coops is progressing is an understatement. Her new collection, featuring a raft of fab styles for both men and women is all class, style and concept - and quite simply, we want them all! Faithful Black photographer Greg Novak lensed these shots of just a few shoes from the new range - now available in New Zealand, Australia and many other parts of the world.

RAFW Hair: Magdalena Velevska by Richard Kavanagh

Whilst we were largely attending M.A.C shows at RAFW this year, our photographer Greg Novak covered a couple of shows that featured Kiwi hair legend Richard Kavanagh working his magic. Here is a selection of images from the Magdalena Velevska show that validate just how far Richard has come in recent years working on the global team for Redken, learning from the greats like Guido. Make-up by Nica Marcello for Bobbi Brown.We asked Richard to describe his look for this show:

"The hair @ Magdalena Velevska was inspired by the essence of folky and ethnic craftwork. The idea was to try and reflect the macrame motif in the fabric as well as the highly controlled execution of the cut and drape of the fabric. Redken Rootful and Forceful were the key products to create control and shine and the hair was rope braided in a geometric pattern similar to macrame. To make it modern a strong V- shaped parting in the front gave the girls a futuristic look. "

RAFW Beauty: Stolen Girlfriends Club backstage by Greg Novak

On Thursday night, Kiwi label Stolen Girlfriends Club showed at a packed Cargo Theatre on site at RAFW. The show featured a series of fab prints by Auckland artist Karl Maughan but more on that and the range itself in a wrap-up-of-the-week post later this week. Here, we are focusing on the make-up by Terry Barber for M.A/C Cosmetics and the hair by Greg Murrell @ Ryder for KMS California. Photos of the two maestros and crew at work below. All images by Greg Novak.

RAFW Beauty: Kate Sylvester backstage by Greg Novak

We asked photographer Greg Novak to pick up some doco shots backstage at the gorgeous Kate Sylvester show on Tuesday night, not just Australian models like Julia Nobis or Krystal Glynn but also Terry Barber (above), M.A.C's director of artistry for the UK, and the M.A.C and Redken crews at work. Terry has been in overdrive this week doing interview after interview, shooting for local mags, holding M.A.C master classes and showing his magic as key artist for both the Kate Sylvester show and Stolen Girlfriends Club tonight. 

RAFW Beauty: Kate Sylvester by Terry Barber

 We have so thoroughly enjoyed meeting M.A.C make-up legend Terry Barber this week that we are going to kidnap him and put him in our luggage at the end of the week to take him to New Zealand. Last night Kate Sylvester showed a stunningly beautiful collection at the Inglis horse sales coral in Randwick. Here are a couple of images by Greg Novak of Terry's sublime look for the show. Hair by John Pulitano.

RAFW Beauty: Flannel by Nicole Thompson

All photos by Greg Novak

The sun is shining today in Sydney after a couple of grey days. RAFW has been loads of fun already and we've seen some great shows, met some swell people and hung out with our Kiwi friends and plenty of Aussies too. Here is the first of a series of posts that concentrate on the make-up expertise of our hosts, M.A.C Cosmetics and the beauty/hair side in general. West Australian label Flannel showed La Sacura, a luxe range steeped in Japanese influence on Monday. All photos by Greg Novak. Key M.A.C make-up artist for this show was Nicole Thompson whose amazing work will also feature in the upcoming issue of Black. Hair by Redken with lead stylist John Pulitano @ Headcase Hair.

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #12: Greg Novak and Richard Kavanagh shoot big hair

Today we head over to Rosemount Australian Fashion Week thanks to our good friends at the world's greatest make-up company, M.A.C. We will be joining our photographer Greg Novak over there to capture images for the blog and the magazine. Fittingly, here is a wee Blacklog Editorial shot this week by Greg and Kiwi hair maestro Richard Kavanagh. Natalie Dent was there on make-up and the model was Natalie Cantell @ Clyne.