Twenty-Seven Names AW 2012

Twenty-Seven Names showed this collection at NZFW last night as a gallery style installation - shot beautifully by Guy Coombes and featuring the one and only Ngahuia Williams wearing key pieces from the range and looking and acting very much the wallflower. Designers Rachel Easting and Analji Stewart have synched their art and fashion degree backgrounds and this collection more than ever shows why the duo are creating a cult following around the world for their clever use of prints, colour, cut and detailing. Inspired by 19th Century artist Edouard Manet the collection brings two words to mind; Impressive impressionism!

Black #15: Thom Kerr shoots Codie Young

Photo: Rue DeMail Paris

While New Zealand Fashion Week fills the fashion horizon here in New Zealand, shoots for Black #15 are continuing around the world. We are very happy to have Sydney-based photographer Thom Kerr shooting one of our favourite Aussie girls Codie Young for this issue. Thom has been working with Black since issue 3 when he flew into Auckland from Brisbane as a fresh-faced teenager and literally walked into the office but this is his first fully-fledged editorial for the magazine. Fashion editor Cassandra Scott-Finn has pulled a fine selection  of fashion for the shoot: Louis Vuitton, Prada, Miu Miu, Guder, Ms Couture, Burberry, La Perla, Beau Coops, Gucci, Therese Rawsthorne, DL & Co, Gail Sorronda and many more. H&M by the lovely Jovita Lee. Updates on our New York, London, Los Angeles and Paris shoots over the next few weeks.

Killed By Kisses? Why not...

There is something of a zeitgeist happening in New Zealand jewellery at the moment. Perhaps New Zelaanders have a latent sparkle that is only now starting to twinkle. Liking this range by Naveya and Sloane. Working with diamonds, fresh water pearls, amethyst, sterling silver and white gold in her August 2011 collection, designer Rachel Sloane is Lost In Love and Killed By Kisses. Her creations clearly reflect that state of mind...

Hello! New Zealand Fashion Week...

We're not really into apologising for not posting but umm...we are. In the past two weeks, we've moved home and office, redefined Black Magazine for the future and been head over Alexander Wang heels immersed in the Workshop and Helen Cherry show we are producing, casting, and enjoying so much. This Thursday at the Auckland Town Hall, as part of New Zealand Fashion Week, iconic New Zealand artist Max Gimblett will add an artistic swish to the Workshop Denim range, stylist Jamie Huckbody will add his unique flair, Scratch 22 will deliver the sounds and a big team will make it all happen. We're plain excited. So, to celebrate, here is the communication from valued Workshop and Helen Cherry partner, BMW New Zealand. At the end of the week, we'll be posting backstage images by photographer Greg Novak.

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #17: Cora Keegan by Sam Crawford

One piece swimsuit by Eres, white leather jacket by R13, pink dunks by Nike

New Zealand photographer Sam Crawford has been based in New York for a couple of years now, honing his style and shooting solidly for No Magazine among others. Prior to moving to New York Sam shot a number of portraits for Black Magazine so we're stoked to be able to publish this pop'n'roll shoot for Sam here on Blacklog featuring rising model Cora Keegan at Next NY. Las Vegas native Cora is fairly new but she has already shot for i-D, and Elle US, GAP and Acne campaigns, has a Gemma Wardesque face and killer body to match. Styling by Molly Kennedy, make-up by Misuzu Miyake using M.A.C Cosmetics, hair by Linh Nguyen and photo assist was Benedict N Brink.

Black #15: Paul Empson shoots Theres Alexandersonn with Sam Ranger

A bunch of shoots are happening around the world for Issue #15 of Black Magazine and we're as excited about this one as any of them. Black Paris photographer Paul Empson teamed with the venerable London stylist Sam Ranger to shoot the gorgeous quirkiness of Swedish model Theres Alexandersonn at IMG. Ranger has long been considered one of London's premier stylists; fashion editor at Pop Magazine, stylist for House of Holland and a long list of editorial collaborations with some of the world's greatest fashion photographers sums her resume up in a nutshell. Theres has such an enchanting face yet she knows how to look tough pretty on demand. We like her so much that she is confirmed as our European cover girl for the issue...

Street Chant 'Stoned Again'

Loving this tune by Street Chant and the great clip by Andrew Moore and Stuart Page (above). Stoned Again references classic Flying Nun sensibilities in both sound and vision. Street Chant are off on a big national tour soon, be sure to catch them in your town.

Punches 'Give It Up'

Most days we listen to 95bFm's brilliant Morning Glory radio show, hosted by the velvet-voiced Charlotte Ryan. Magazine radio at it's best. Charlotte offers an open platform for new music so it is often where we hear new local tunes. This week we heard this from Punches - James Duncan (guitar, vocals, bass) and Kelly Sherrod (vocals, guitar).  Many a great composer has said that keeping it simple is the key to a great song and Punches pull that punch with Give it Up. Beautiful singing is matched with perfectly weighted, simple, guitar licks within a tune that is unashamedly funereal in pace. Love it...

Westpac Young Fashion Designer Award - Voting now online

For the second year running Westpac is holding its Young Designer Award in the lead-up to NZFW.  This year's entries showcase the considerable talent coming through the ranks with young designers like Jessica Grubisa, Roxanna Zamani and Glen Prentice joined by Ruri Castillo, Georgia Currie, Laura Marshall, Trish Peng & Qiuiae Wong, Lucie Sutichunta, Helen Trethewey and Miriam White. The quality of work across the board is very good indeed, passionate creations from a new generation brimming with ideas. So, don't dilly dally, get in behind your favourite designer by voting for them here on the Westpac Young Designer Facebook page. Simply click through the 'contests' tab to see the entries and you are allowed one vote per day. The designer with most votes wins the more-than-handy $5k prize plus dedicated business banking advice, one of the vital tools for any young designer. We are biased toward Jessica Grubisa (above) as she is of course Black assistant fashion editor but the competition from the likes of Zamani (below) is fierce.

ANEW #4: Matt Nash

Matt Nash, also an honours graduate of the AUT fashion school, last year investigated the "true Kiwi menswear aesthetic" and challenged our 'perception of how we perceive original menswear in NZ" with his honours range "The Hidden View: The reclaiming of New Zealand Menswear" as seen above. Matt reinvented the work, with the help of photographer Veronica Crockford-Pound, of seminal NZ photographer Glen Busch. More exactly, he carefully reconstructed ten images from Busch's 1981 book Working Men, recreating the 'wear and tear' of the garments and drawing form the inherent style and fashions on view, with detail extending to actually replicating marks on the walls behind the subject with chalk. The models wear masks made by Nash of the original men in each photo - which he recreated the clothing from. Attention to detail and a reverence for the past and its authenticity are clearly attributes of Matt Nash.

ANEW #3: Nadeesha Godammune

The ethos of the ANEW menswear collective leans strongly toward the hand-crafted so it made complete sense to incorporate the stunning fashion illustrations of Nadeesha Godamunne into the project. Having completed her masters in fashion illustration in 2010 with first class honours, Nadeesha is now lecturing at AUT in fashion illustration and forging a freelance career in the venerable art. Her work is informed by historical satirical artists like James Gillray and William Hogarth as well as contemporary illustrators like Julie Verhoeven and Del Kathryn Barton and has appeared in reputable publications such as The Australian Creative, Martin Dawber’s The Great Big Book of Fashion Illustration , Sandra Burke’s new Fashion Designer series and Prodesign. 

ANEW #2: Glenn Yungnickel and Sara Andrews

All photos by Alexis Brooks, styling by Matt Nash

Glenn Yungnickel made a colourful splash last year with a capsule AUT graduate range that was literally, all red. At the ANEW collective launch Glenn showed his latest range, created in collaboration with knitwear designer Sara Andrews. The new collection represents the first complete collection from the Yungnickel stable and this time around Glenn keeps the colour blocking trend going with four tonal colour pallettes that can be mixed easily giving customers the freedom to mix and match the colours for their outfit. The four colour ways are natural, coming from the undyed fabrics themselves, the others are navy, cobalt and mustard.

ANEW #1: Rawiri Brown

Photos: Ngahuia Harrison

A couple of weeks back we attended the ANEW Menswear launch above the Eco Store in Freeman's Bay and we were taken aback by the quality of design, construction, finishing and overall concepts on offer from the designers involved. In the first of a series of posts about the ANEW collective, here are a few images of Rawiri Brown's directional range that was shown with a great, simple concept show. Utilitarian boys walked into the packed room, and one-by-one stood upon small plinths, motionless to classical music, Schubert's Ave Maria from memory. All stood, facing north for a further 3 or 4 minutes whilst Ave Maria played out before returning backstage. Such a simple idea for a show but so very effective. Directional the collection certainly is, so what inspired Rawiri down the clerical path? 

New Face: Anna-May at 62 Models by Greg Novak

As NZFW approaches the local modelling world traditionally goes into casting overdrive as designers, stylists and agencies negotiate over models of choice. Internationals always have their part to play, we have our own successful faces and new models have the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Here, photographer Greg Novak captures Anna-May, a new face at 62 Models and just one of hundreds of hopefuls for this year's New Zealand Fashion Week. Hair and make-up by the redoubtable Natalie Dent. Anna-May wears Ann Demeulemeester at Wunderkammer and a selection of the model's own clothing.

Black Archive: Karen Walker SS 2003 - NZ Fashion Week

With New Zealand Fashion Week fast approaching we thought we’d revisit a seminal moment from NZFW’s past. In 2003 we produced two shows; Nom D's "Don't Shoot" and the following night Karen Walker SS 2003. Karen’s show was both a launch of the then brand new Karen Walker Jewellery range and a showing of a classic Karen Walker collection, albeit in midly controversial circumstances. KW creative maestro Mikhail Gherman concepted a simple brief: "Models on a large turntable rather than a catwalk and the jewellery displayed in those fun arcade display cases and a guy in an ape suit." The show, at Parnell’s York Street Studios hit the front page of the NZ Herald the next day; "NZ designer Karen Walker launches jewellery and shows sans catwalk." So here, in low res glory, is the only vid we could find of the show, replete with a fine selection of great NZ models; Amanda, Ngahuia, Louise, Anna, Melissa et al. A few images below...

Black #15: Paul Empson shoots Tanya D in Paris

Tanya D in VS Magazine

The shooting schedule for Black #15 is under way in Paris, London, New York and Sydney. First up Black Paris photographer Paul Empson shoots a resurgent Tanya Dziahileva or Tanya D for short. After a bit of a break Tanya is blowing up again in Europe so we are excited to have her in this issue. Hair & make-up by Jean Luc Amarin, Tanya was styled by Rosanna Passalacqua wearing Louis Vuitton, Prada, Miu Miu, Celine, Dries van Noten and more...

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #16: Mother & Father PR designers by Thom Kerr

Roxanna Zamani

After attending the past two Australian Fashion Weeks we have been struck by the groundswell of interesting young Aussie designers who quite simply think outside the sartorial square. Romance Was Born have had a lot to do with the development of a new Down Under fashion ethic where there are no rules, only ideas. One company that has captured this zeitgeist rather well is Sydney-based PR company Mother & Father PR. Helmed by Matt Jordan and Candice Wyman, Mother & Father represent labels like St Augustine Academy, Elliot Ward-Fear, kiwi designer Roxanna Zamani, Perth high flyer Jaime Lee, Ms Couture Lingerie, An Ode To No One and more. Long time Black contributor Thom Kerr beautifully captures some of the company's labels on model Lou Lou from London Management, in glorious balck & white at The Compound, Chippendale. Hair & make-up by Jovita Lee all ably assisted by Tegan Bates. Thom also found time to interview the pair about their shared background in retail, the digital landscape and why swearing is not a problem.

Elliot Ward-Fear

Time For A New Outlook

Conventional wisdom suggests that change is good for you, so after a few years living and working at Muriwai, West Auckland we are moving Black HQ into the magnificent Waitakere Ranges, also west of Auckland. We have shot here at Muriwai extensively over the years and will always love the many charms and latent power of this place, not to mention the sunsets which range from sublime to spectacular. As a parting shot, here is one of the more impressive sunsets from the past week....

Blacklog Editorial #15: Vanishing Elephant Seen In Waiatarua by Russ Flatt

In the middle of a cold and wet winter here in Aotearoa an indoor shoot is the go. In this casual and intimate study of Red 11's Jordan Barrett (above) and Tom Sheahan (below) photographer Russ Flatt and Black fashion director Rachael Churchward team to shoot Vanishing Elephant beside the fire, with the animals, whilst the rain thundered in and the Kauri trees creaked outside. Assistant fashion editor Jess Grubisa brought some of her nana's finest cookies as well as her usual fashion smarts and the other models are resident kitty cat Big Bruce and pup stars Quin and Tiki.

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #14: Karen Walker AW 2011/12 by David K Shields

David K Shields teamed with Rachael Churchward to shoot Karen Walker's tough-yet-ladylike AW 2011/12 collection in a Blacklog style on a cool, windy Muriwai day. Hair & make-up by Natalie Dent using M.A.C Cosmetics, model is Stephanie Mac at Red 11. All fashion by Karen Walker, jewellery by Karen Walker Jewellery, eyewear by Karen Walker Eyewear, shoes by Beau Coops for Karen Walker.

Sneak preview: Jessica Grubisa 4th year Whitecliffe's Collection

Readers of the latest issue of Black will know how enamoured we are with Whitecliffes' Jessica Grubisa. The fourth year fashion student is a fine example of the maturing of the Whitecliffes fashion program under tutors like Belinda Watt. We are definitely seeing an increased array of skills and talent from schools like Whitecliffes, AUT and Massey in Wellington - and that's highly encouraging. As part of the final year of the fashion course, Whitecliffe's students are required to dress a window around town so if you have noticed a few new window displays, you now know why. Here are a few shots of the window as Jess created it at Workshop Newmarket that feature some of her painstakingly-crafted 'gem' dresses. She will show the full range along with other Whitecliffes students like Yun Do, Creina Brunton and Stephanie Au-Duong at her graduation show in November.

1st Wunderkammer Showroom Garage Sale

Photo: David K. Shields

This Saturday and Sunday our friends at Wunderkammer are holding a garage sale that will tweak the interest of anyone who loves Commes des Garcons, Ann Demuelemeester, Costume National or Wunderkammer Jewellery. Everything: $25, $50, $100 or $150. Honest.

1st Wunderkammer Showroom Garage Sale
Sat 9th July 10am-6pm and Sun 10th July 11am-4pm
62 Ponsonby Road,
Ponsonby, Auckland
Ph: +64 9 360 4090

Karen Walker's amazing Japanese fans

In this social network driven world of 'friends, likes and fans' it is both refreshing and endearing to discover the type of fans New Zealand designer Karen Walker has attracted in Japan in particular. So fervent are these followers that they regularly send Karen beautifully crafted hand-made presents as a token of their appreciation for her designs and the label in general. Some of the messages and images are impossibly cute, some detailed excursions into the active and creative minds of the fans, others personal travel stories - Karen Walker on tour. We asked Kate at Karen Walker to scan a few of these fabulously creative gifts so we could present them to you here on Blacklog. Enjoy...

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #13: Lady Got The Blues by David K. Shields

On a recent sojourn to Sydney, Black photographer David K. Shields teamed up with stylist Cassandra Scott-Finn to shoot Eva at The Agency. Melbournian Scott-Finn's background includes a stint as assistant to Brana Woolf, editor-at-large for US Harpers Bazaar. Hair & make-up artist Sinden Dean has fashioned a glittering career working with Madonna, Kylie and Britney among others whilst Eva is yet another beautiful face from the impressive Sydney boutique model house The Agency.

New Face: Rose at KHM Models

It's always interesting to shoot someone for the first time, particularly if they have never appeared in front of a camera before. This was Rose's first ever photo shoot and photographer Russ Flatt discovered very quickly that the camera loves her.

Photography: Russ Flatt

Fashion editor: Rachael Churchward

Hair & make-up: Natalie Dent using M.A.C Cosmetics
Rose wears: Karen Walker, Topshop and Glassons

New Face: Dakota at KHM Models

Dakota at Kimberly Hill Management (KHM Models) isn't really a 'new face' if you watched last season's series of NZ Next Top Model. Forget all of the dramas and tantrums of reality TV, Dakota arrived at our door with a smile on her face, an open mind and a fantastic personality to boot. Maori (Tūhoe) and Italian lineage informs an interesting whakapapa. Her awareness, personality and engaging humour enamoured us and recent moments on The Jono Show suggest Dakota has TV and modelling skills to burn...

Photography: Russ Flatt
Fashion editor: Rachael Churchward
Hair & make-up: Natalie Dent using M.A.C Cosmetics

Wanted: (Alive, thanks) Mulholland

Fans of independent NZ music will need little introduction to Jolyon Mulholland. The former lead singer of Motocade and current member of The Mots - both of which also feature the considerable talents of his brothers Eden and Will - will release his new album Eugene Told Me You Were Dead on Monday. Neil Finn once described Jol as "one of the most talented guys I know - he's got talent exuding from every pore" and listening through "Eugene" it is easy to see where the Kiwi music great is coming from. Recorded in a "small North Shore bedroom" (perhaps if it was big he might have gone too Phil Spector on it!) and mixed at Finn's Roundhouse Studios before being mastered in the land of Oz, the album is a pop sensation in the nicest way.

Interview: Jane Robertson of Bird Boutique

Photo: Deb Smith

If there is a sartorial oasis in the middle of Hamilton, as incongruous as that may sound, it is Casabella Lane, off Barton Street in the city centre. For a region better known for cowbells, woollen singlets and gumboots, Jane Robertson's three fab stores; Bird Boutique, Maude and The Clothes Horse provide welcome relief and do much in their own way to beautify the city. Readers of Black issue 12 may have read of Jane's importance to the Zambesi label before love took her to the Waikato.

Black: Jane, why Hamilton?

Jane Robertson: After spending 25 years living in Auckland, I moved to Hamilton late 2005 for marriage reasons and I soon realised the need for a beautiful women's fashion store.

B: Tell us about your long term relationship with Liz and Neville Findlay and the Zambesi label.

JR. I started working for Liz and Neville Findlay in the late 70's and part way through the 80's. It was such an incredible time, the economy was very buoyant. Liz and Neville had started wholesaling the Zambesi brand to exclusive stores around NZ. Liz was very inspired by Japanese fashion, its designers, their construction and use of fabric and she travelled regularly to Japan. Zambesi is such an iconic New Zealand brand, it's so genius....sophisticated in a very edgy timeless way. You really get so much pleasure wearing their pieces. It's not about dotting I's and crossing T's. Talking about my time working for the Findlays and Zambesi conjures up quite a few emotions...it was a real sense of belonging, they were like family. I feel like their ambassador. It's such a priviledge to have 'Zambesi' at 'Bird'.

The Men's Department poses a modelling question

Everyone knows that models are posers, right? That is, at the behest of a photographer or stylist they are asked to affect a certain stance, or pose. Interestingly, the difference between good posing and bad posing is more substantial than most realise and many good fashion editorials have been rendered 'bad' by overwrought, awkward or plain incomprehensible poses. The lavishly-titled Men's Department School of Modelling know this and have started a tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek competition to see if you can come up with alternate poses to those so expertly practiced by Michael Whittaker (above). The best will be published on the Men's Department FB page and the first choice wins a Top Man Skinny Black suit - as worn by Michael, above. So come on poseurs; shoot, name and email your entry to: themensdepartment@thedepartmentstore.co.nz. 

Black #14: Digital Version live now on Zinio

For the eighth issue in a row, a digital version of Black Magazine is now available via Zinio. The sub price of NZ $15 is good value if you are into reading mags on your PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone et al. All you have to do is download the free Zinio reader purchase and download the file, and away you go. Here's an unpublished, adorable image from the issue to start your weekend. Pup Star, Zeka Murrell-Williams @ Ryder features, photo by Russ Flatt. Also available on Android from early next week.

Black #14: Fashion & Beauty Editorial Title Pages

Black #14 has been on sale here in NZ for a week now and it feels good. Thanks so much for the positive feedback and 5th birthday wishes. This issue, founding Black art director Ian Ferguson fell in love with a font called Stag, and so did we. Here's the opening spread from each of the fashion and beauty editorials in the issue. The Zinio version will be available online shortly...will keep you updated...

Playing In The Park with Karen Walker

We popped along to the well-populated opening of Playpark by Karen Walker last Friday and aside from it being a swell party, we were impressed with the set-up of the new store. Some hand-picked new brands; Cacharel, Hunter footwear, Julie Rofman and Kate Hillier jewellery (and soon, Eddie Borgo?), Fred Perry Laurel Wreath, Rittenhouse et al are added to the entire family of KW brands inclcuding Beau Coops for Karen Walker. Karen's ever-present horsey is there nestled amongst the jungle gyms (yes, climbing apparatus!) in a spacious store that gives new weight to a trip to Nuffield Street, Newmarket. First class Karen Walker! Here's a few images from the night by photographer Rebekah Farrell - including the smorgasbord of delicious sweets that had punters hovering all night...

Deadly Ponies Shine Online

New Zealand-based accessories label Deadly Ponies have been building a solid reputation for some time as a world class designer and producer of accessories and jewellery. For their many fans in Australia and further abroad, good news then that they have launched an online store meaning you can now buy Deadly Ponies wherever you live in the world.  Says DP's Liam Bowden: “After years of shying away from direct sales to customers, over the last year we have been bombarded with on-to-it customers phoning us directly and begging us to make them a sold-out bag. I decided that the time had come to give loyal DP followers more direct access to our products.” The new website pays homage to Liam's artisan roots with a mood board style layout and descriptors for each DP offering. To celebrate the launch of the online store we have two Deadly Ponies silver bow rings (above) to give away on our Facebook page.  The offer is open to Black online followers anywhere in the world.

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.

Tristan Blair Brogues at The Men's Department

Photo: Daniel Max

Aussie shoe genius Tristan Blair has always had a penchant for all things military. For his AW 2011 collection entitled "Vivid Arms" Blair researched the styles, colours and cuts used in military footwear and in particular, the variations of leather used to heel young recruits. The collection makes a hero out of beautiful natural hides in rich, dark burgundy and mocha tones and the good news for Kiwi brogue fans is the shoes are now available at The Men's Department on Auckland's North Shore. So, march on in and score yourself a pair. 

BLACKLOG EDITORIAL #11: New Season Kiri Nathan by David K.Shields

OK, on deadline like crazy, but that doesn't mean we can't post a Blacklog Editorial for you! David K Shields took some of the new season Kiri Nathan to the West Coast again, this time with Aussie beauty Michelle Hughes @ Clyne. Stacy Lee Ghin added beautiful hair and make-up. Please note that all garments are made to order...