The Marr Factory 2013 - Wednesday - Workshop & Helen Cherry

Day four of The Marr Factory saw Workshop and Helen Cherry draw upon artistic relationships, creative partnerships and a quality selection of imports for a rocking and rolling evening at The Golden Dawn. And draw they did; motifs from Auckland artist Paul Hartigan adorned not only the concrete walls of the bar thanks to chalk translators Enu and Tuhi but also several Workshop pieces, and most notably, the bodies of models Danika at N Model Management and Thom O and Charlie at Red 11. These Hartigan  "Tattoo Classiques" were drawn by the experienced crew at Two Hands nearby and more artistic in-show flourishes from artists Max Gimbett and Martin Popplewell epitomised the spirit of collaboration in the air. Styled by Black Fashion Director Rachael Churchward, the show featured a raft of in-store pieces by Workshop Denim and Helen Cherry plus some sweet international flavour from the likes of: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Isabel Marant, See by Chloe and Vanessa Bruno. Amber D and the M.A.C team excelled again, creating a stunning lip of What a Blast pencil, Morange lipstick and Red Electric pigment and Matt Benns and the Stephen Marr crew styled up a straight-with-edge hair look using Original & Mineral - the H&M combo working a treat. And then there was the music; Workshop Musical Director Dylan Cherry has for some time been delivering quality show music to our ears and last night's soundtrack was next level; a killer mix of the old and new, mashed-up, mixed and progressively becoming more relentless, loved it. All in all a great show with plenty of Courvoisier, Mills Reef bubbly, Hallertau and yummy x regular GD food and service to ensure the party went well into the night. All photos by the talented Oliver Rose.

The Marr Factory 2013 - Tuesday - NOM*d

Day three of The Marr Factory saw NOM*d's Malcolm McLaren and Madame Butterfly inspired 'Fans' collection grace the runway at The Golden Dawn. The inspiration of the great opera's main Japanese protagonist, Ciocio-san, was omnipresent across the beautiful styling by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller, and fabulous hair by Lauren Gunn and the Stephen Marr team using Original & Mineral and once again, brilliant make-up by Amber D and the M.A.C team. Supplementing the show was a dual video screen set-up which showed a film by Richard Shaw assisted by Delphine Planqueel which took NOM*d's legendary relationship with deconstruction to a new level. The wall-to-wall crowd amped no doubt by the Courvoisier cocktails and Hallertau beer which flowed freely as is befitting The Marr Factory events. All digital images here by Oliver Rose, all Polaroids by Lula Cucchiara.

The Marr Factory 2013 - Monday - Zambesi

Photo: Oliver Rose

It's not often that we get to flip the script as it were and do our own thing on the catwalk, but at last night's Zambesi show at the Golden Dawn that is exactly what happened. We joined a cavalcade of singers, actresses, music producers, TV reporters, designers, cakers, tattoo artists, baristas, make-up queens, model bookers, bloggers, stylists, photographers and a dude called Bruno, all affectionately known as Zambassadors, to do what we have been telling models to do for so long, walk down a catwalk and rep the designer to the hilt. Luckily there was a great selection of iconic and fresh local models led by the ever beautiful Penny Pickard and Ngahuia Williams to show us the way. Liz, Dayne and the Zambesi crew managed to very accurately style each person in outfits that succinctly befitted each person. Make-up applied by Amber D and her M.A.C team and hair by the Lauren Gunn-led Stephen Marr using Original & Mineral ensured all and sundry were looking their best. With a soundtrack of INXS tunes, delicious Courvoisier cocktails, flowing Hallertau on tap and yummy food by the awesome team at Golden Dawn, Zambesi put perhaps the most fun we have seen in fashion since, er, 1979! All photos as listed by Oliver Rose and Lula Cucchiara.

Photo: Lula Cucchiara

The Marr Factory 2013: Sunday - Karen Walker

Photo: Oliver Rose

The rain stayed away for the opening night of The Marr Factory, ensuring that Karen Walker's 'New Rose' was not dampened, in spirit or body. If anything, spirits were running high as New Zealand's superstar model du jour Ashleigh Good set off down the runway at The Golden Dawn flanked by an adoring crowd of customers, media and fashionistas. No less than 38 models wound their way through the crowd resplendent in outfits from the New Rose collection, ubiquitous Karen Walker Eyewear, Karen Walker Jewellery and of course, the super colab of Karen Walker x Beau Coops to pound the pavement, as it were. Great make-up by the Amber D-led M.A.C Cosmetics team and hair by Sky Cripps-Jackson and the Stephen Marr team, and of course fab Courvoisier cocktails and the odd Hallertau number 2 added much to the party atmosphere. After the show models made their way up to the labyrinth of rooms above The Golden Dawn to be snapped by Oliver Rose, Black photographer Sam Lee and numerous others. Sam's selection will be added here later tonight, in the meantime, here is a selection of images from last night by Oliver Rose...

Updated! A large selection of images from this show by Sam Lee, to be found right below here...

Photo: Sam Lee

Blacklog Editorial #55: David K Shields shoots Sarah Stephens at 62 Models

Looking like she was born to the West Coast of Auckland, beautiful Sarah Stephens at 62 Models luxuriates on the foreshore in this summer-seems-a-while-ago editorial lensed by David K Shields and styled by Natalie Cantell. H&M by Sky-Cripps-Jackson at Stephen Marr. Sarah wears Lonely by Lonely Hearts, Ksubi, Maurie & Eve and eyewear by Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.

Strateas Carlucci lands in New Zealand, at Wunderkammer

Black readers will aware of our admiration for Melbourne-based label Strateas Carlucci. Peter Strateas and Mario-Luca Carlucci had success early in their fashion and design careers with a brand and retail operation called Trimapee before shifting their focus toward a more tailored and substantial brand that not only drew upon their inherent European lineage but also targeted Europe as a market directly from day one. Thus Strateas Carlucci was born in early 2012. The boys went straight to Paris Fashion Week and launched the label in the fashion capital and have followed up with a number of return trips since - a strategy that has resulted in substantial European awareness and a raft of outlets across the continent. More recently they entered the International Woolmark Awards, made the finals and were pipped at the post by Christopher Esber but the design, quality and construction of their work was as usual, par excellence. With a solid line of trade now established in Europe the boys have recently been turning their attention to developing an Australasian audience and we are excited to announce that a selection of Strateas Carlucci is in store now at Wunderkammer, 76a Ponsonby Road, their first New Zealand outlet. If you are a fan of the Belgian and/or Japanese designer ethos, but are also looking for something different, designed and crafted a little closer to home - at a more agreeable price point - you will love Strateas Carlucci. Here are a selection of out takes from their latest "Fortress" collection featuring pieces available in store at Wunderkammer now. Photography: Ribal and Gil at Superteam Studios, model Boki at Viviens.

Blacklog Editorial #54: Becca Gilmartin and Nelson Lai shoot beauty with Amanda Griffiths at Chic

Freshly inspired from her Vogue Italia Talents shoot, Australian makeup artist and blacklog contributor Becca Gilmartin has collaborated with photographer Nelson Lai to shoot these incredibly surreal beauty portraits with Amanda Griffiths from Chic. Painstakingly put together by hand over several hours with silver and gold leafing over black paint, the final illusion is one of near perfect symmetry. We asked Becca to reflect on these pieces of art. "Rorschach ink blot test is used to analyse interpretations and the observers meaning. I was inspired by the Rorschach tests in my curiosity with people's own interpretation of beauty; their own and others beauty. Beauty is an ever changing template which evolves with age, culture and taste. I see people chase an imaginary template on a daily basis and I am so curious by this... So much low self esteem is created within the gap between a person as they actually are and this imaginary template. This shoot was born from that thought and inspired by a recent research task into the world of Alexander McQueen." Perhaps a future glimpse into a makeup look inspired for their next season's runways... 

BLK #20 BTS: David K Shields and Alina Caraman shoot Magda Laguigne and Gerhard Freidl in Dior Couture by Josef Kubicek

Reprising "The Kiss" and everything Paris before, now and in between, David K Shields shot a cover and a fabulous editorial featuring some of the very special pieces from Raf Simons latest Dior Couture collection for BLK #20 a month or so back. Enjoy this sneak peak of a shoot that happened on the streets of Paris with one of New Zealand's finest fashion photographers, some of the world's finest outfits and a quality team on the streets of Paris. Models: Magda Laguigne at Next Paris and Gerhard Freidl at Madison Paris. Styling: Alina Caraman Hair: Kazue Deki at Calliste Paris Make-up: Marie Lanne at Calliste Paris. All clothing Dior Couture. These lovely BTS shots capturing the moment by Josef Kubicek.

Blacklog Editorial #53: David K Shields shoots Jay Lichter at Clyne and Esbern Rasmussen at N Model Management

Rowing a boat gently down a stream, Jay Lichter at Clyne and new face Esbern Rasmussen at N Model Management pair up for photographer David K Shields in Zambesi, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Ksubi, Vanishing Elephant, Maurie & Eve and Salasai. Styling by Natalie Cantell, hair & make-up by Dean Aaron Young.

Stella McCartney Lingerie SS 13 film featuring Marloes Horst

Stella McCartney Lingerie AW 13 from Black Magazine on Vimeo.

Marloes Horst has long been a Black favourite, ever since her role in Paul Empson's Parisien ode to Helmut Newton in Issue 11. Perfect then for this film to celebrate Stella McCartney Lingerie's SS 13 collection which features floral prints alongside flocked patterns, classic styles and sexy sheer laces. As always, there are many stories to the collection, 17 in fact, all named after 'girls in cheeky situations.' Among the names for the season? 'Clara Whispering', 'Marguerite Riding', 'Giselle Charming', 'Camille cooling' and 'Rachel Shopping.' Perhaps she could add, 'Stella Enchanting.'

Kate Sylvester SS 13/14 Campaign by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller

Inspired by Bert Stern's "Last Sitting" images of the most iconic of all icons Marilyn Monroe, the beautiful Kate Sylvester SS 13/14 campaign shot and styled by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller features girl du jour Holly Rose Emery at Red 11 looking somewhere between smouldering, insouciant and melancholic, a moment befitting the candle that burned out long before the legend ever did. Lighting and digital by Delphine Avril Planqueel. H&M: Shirley Simpson using M.A.C Cosmetics. Looking forward to seeing the Kate Sylvester show at this years Marr Factory on August 29!

New Face: David K Shields shoots Monique at N Model Management

No rest for the wicked (Dave). Immediately upon his return from Paris and London at the weekend, David K Shields was out to the West Coast to shoot beautiful new face at N Model Management, Monique. There's something intriguing, classical and slightly mysterious about Monique which has us enthralled. Monique wears a selection of beautiful dresses by Rue De Seine. Hair and make-up by Derek Aaron Young.

Infamous Duo shoot Bianca at N Model Management x Stolen Girlfriends Club 'Nasty Goreng"

The Infamous Duo took Bianca Henry at N Model Management to the wild west coast to shoot her in outfits from Stolen Girlfriends Club's SS 13/14 Nasty Goreng collection. Using the styling by Black Fashion Director Rachael Churchward from the recent show the pair teamed with hair and make-up artist Leisa Welch to capture beautiful Bianca in epic landscapes. They also shot the accompanying film below. Love it!

Nasty Goreng from Infamous Duo (i`D) on Vimeo.

Zambesi SS 13/14 Campaign by Marissa Findlay feat Vinnie Woolston at 62 and Seon at Clyne

Black favourite Vinnie Woolston at 62 Models gains a few long locks and partners up with Seon at Clyne for the Zambesi S/S 13/14 campaign shot by Marissa Findlay in a mix of vibrant colour and sharp black and white. This collection's Zambesi Woman finds herself in fluid forms and disciplined shapes from slim-fit skirts to voluminous kimonos. The Zambesi Man will find himself in slim-fit jackets, patched-knee trousers, oversized board shorts or even a vintage motorcycle suit, all within a considered approach to minimalism and function. Hair: Matt Benns at Stephen Marr Make-up: Kiekie Stanners for M.A.C Cosmetics.

Blacklog Editorial #52: Thom Kerr shoots Joel Meacock at Dallys

Knit, pants and belt by Prada

Melbourne editor of Black Justin Henry flew into Brisbane over the weekend to shoot with Sydney editor Thom Kerr and stylist Sarah Birchley on a series of denim images for the next issue featuring some very cool faces! Whilst in town they made a pit stop with Dally's model Joel Meacock who has recently returned from walking Calvin Klein during his last mens show season. Joel will be sharing some of his adventures in an interview shortly in a separate post... but until then, enjoy this Blacklog exclusive including fashion from Burberry, Prada, Wil Valor and Pistols at Dawn. All the images were shot at Red Eclipse studios.