Not surprising really, given the moment marked the brand’s 30th anniversary, where the designer rose to the occasion, presenting a collection full of the brand’s beloved signatures, with many shapes familiar to long-time fans of the brand. But somehow, with a mix of bold pops of colour, cool tailoring and floaty floral maxi dresses, the range is perfectly in step for the new season too.
Sylvester is known for playing feminine elegance off with an ever present edge. These were certainly more evident than ever, combining more classic or pretty elements with masculine styling, lingerie peeks with tailored suiting and using styling devices or chunky chain jewellery.
The collection, called 93 23, to acknowledge those three decades in business was presented in front of a backdrop of hanging pattern pieces, previously used to create the brand’s garments.
A beauty team directed by Emma Peters of Aleph Beauty on makeup and Sean Mahoney of Colleen on hair using Oribe products, created the perfect done-but-undone complement on each model.
Peters created natural skin with a soft, glowy sheen and a blurred poppy lip and high flush of blush using cream products from Aleph. The brand’s Cheek / Lip Tint in Sangha was a star product for creating the lip look which focused colour in the very center of the mouth.
Hair Director Sean Mahoney masterminded two key hair looks, a modern knot and modern ponytail with soft movement, as well as defining the natural texture of models with curly hair.
“As this is a 30-year milestone for Kate Sylvester, I wanted to create looks that would show what I see a Kate Sylvester girl is,” explains Mahoney.
“She is strong, beautiful, feminine and tough so I made this look with the contemporary clean ponytail, the strong twisted knot with ends out and enhanced natural curl patterns. With such great casting and by truly wanting to celebrate everyone’s beautiful and unique textures, we highlight that the Kate Sylvester girl is an individual.”
Mahoney explains how he created each look using Oribe hair products:
Modern Ponytail
STEP ONE: Apply a liberal amount of Oribe Imperial Blowout from roots to tips. In 2-inch sections, smooth the hair using a boar bristle brush and your hair dryer in a downward motion. Stretch and polish the ends.
STEP TWO: Section your hair 4 inches deep from temple to temple. Apply Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray to the roots. Brush in an upward motion away from the face to create volume.
STEP THREE: Use a Boar bristle brush to smooth hair back into a low ponytail, secure tightly with elastic. Apply an inch of wig tape to the base of the ponytail and wrap the remaining elastic flat around the tape. Finish off with a bobby pin underneath the tie to fasten.
Modern Knot
STEP ONE: Apply a liberal amount of Oribe Imperial Blowout from roots to tips. In 2-inch sections, smooth the hair using a boar bristle brush and your hair dryer in a downward motion. Stretch and polish the ends.
STEP TWO: Section your hair 4 inches deep from temple to temple. Apply Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray to the roots. Brush in an upward motion away from the face to create volume.
STEP THREE: Use a Boar bristle brush to smooth hair back into a low ponytail, secure tightly with elastic, leaving a long end of your elastic free for step four.
STEP FOUR: Twist the ponytail until its tight, applying Oribe Flash Form Finishing Spray Wax as you go to create a smooth, controllable foundation for your knot. Twist into a knot with the ends of the hair left out to create a fan effect, fasten the base of the knot with the remaining elastic.
Images courtesy Oribe / Kate Sylvester
