Hitchcock-inspired sophistication at New Zealand Fashion Week 2010

‘Glamorous, sexy and fun’

Words: Kim Newth
Photos by Michael Ng

Legendary Hollywood costume designer Edith Head once described fashion as a language: “Some know it, some learn it, some never will – like an instinct.” During her infl uential career, Head worked closely with fi lmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, dressing glamorous screen stars like Grace Kelly.

At last month’s New Zealand Fashion Week, the Hitchcock movie look was back, but with an updated Pacifi c fl avour in the collection by designer Michelle Yvette. Beauty and femininity were to the fore with more than a hint of classic Hollywood style.

Rangiora makeup ar tist Kate Holloway, of K.H. Makeup Artistry, was part of Michelle’s debut show at New Zealand Fashion Week, leading the Bella Vi pure mineral cosmetics team. “We were going for 1940sinspired makeup, so that included bright red lips, black eye-liner and minimal blusher. It’s a very cool look. This was my fi rst time at New Zealand Fashion Week and it was just an awesome experience to fi nally see it and be a part of it,” says Kate.

Preparation for the 10-minute evening show at the Viaduct Village took three hours, preceded by a full makeup ‘dress rehearsal’ the day before. Fifteen models were involved and Kate led the Bella Vi team of four makeup artists.

“It was a good starting point for Bella Vi – it’s really exciting for a New Zealand company like this to get a foot in the door for fashion week. We hope to be invited back again and maybe next year we’ll be doing a couple of designers.”

The highlight for Kate was seeing the show come together on the catwalk. “There’s nothing better than looking at the models and thinking ‘they look fabulous – I did that!’ “We only had about twenty to thirty minutes to do a model’s face. That’s a short period of time considering the makeup requirements were quite intricate.

It was a really intense three hours, but it was great to be able to deliver the makeup in the way the designer wanted it. She was really happy with the look.” Kate has enjoyed working with Bella Vi cosmetics since fi rst coming across the product line two years ago. The makeup is 100% natural, it’s affordable, and another bonus is that Bella Vi is a New Zealand company.

After gaining qualifi cations at the Christchurch Design and Arts College and the National School of Aesthetics, Kate started work as a freelance makeup artist and beauty therapist.

Over the past eight years she has gained experience in special effects makeup, body painting, air brushing, portrait photography and makeup for special occasions. Kate is now very busy with bookings for the 2010 weddings season.

About Michelle Yvette:

• This 26-year-old designer is a rising star in the New Zealand fashion industry and has single-handedly developed her business and brand profi le. • Her designs incorporate silk and wool and include structured coats and stunning dresses. She is often inspired by things which affect her life, creating beautifully crafted New Zealand made garments designed to fl atter the fi gures of real women of today.