Emma Mulholland on Holiday hit the runway for the first time at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in a resort show that made good on the vacation promise in its name.

Surrounded by beach accessories such as sun umbrellas and sandcastles, this beach vibe extended to the fashion and playful shell accessories, while the hair looks by Wella and hair director Keiren Street offered the ‘mermaid chic, underwater magic’ brief of the immersive show.

“Splash is one of my all-time favourite films. The character Madison, played by Daryl Hannah, and her relationship between bustling city life and the tranquillity of the ocean inspired the overall themes of the collection,” Emma said of the collection, titled Pure Shores.

The collection offered luxurious taffeta, organza, freshwater pearls, crab claws and cascading sequins to truly encapsulate the mermaid aesthetic. The nail look by OPI further brought a shimmering ocean look to the runway.

The hair look also utilised this reference point on the show mood board, merging textures to reflect the idea of “in and out of the water” in the film and throwing in a wave of its own mid-show.

“It has a natural texture but with a vibe referencing Daryl Hannah in Splash,” Keiren shared backstage. “It’s shiny, wet and contrasting in textures. We’re also throwing a spanner in the middle of the show, by changing it up and making it a bit kinky, crinkly and curly. We’re giving the illusion that the hair’s wet but with a dry texture, and it’s flat with no volume.”

The brand’s Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue was the hero tool for condition, while Wella’s EIMI Perfect Setting, Perfect Me, Extra Volume Mousse Ocean Spritz and Mistify Me Light were also vital backstage.

“You get healthy, shiny hair thanks to the products that are contrasting with the dry texture and that salty lived in feel,” Keiren said.

Get the look:

• Step one: Repair the hair with a mist of Wella Professional Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue and a liberal amount of EIMI Perfect Me (four pumps). Create a straight middle part, then mist the roots with a little EIMI Perfect Setting and a dressing brush to smooth hair down.
• Step two: Section hair into six to eight sections without disturbing the smoothed top of the head, misteach section with EIMI Ocean Spritz Salt Spray to add texture to the hair, then plait. Leave about 2 inches of the end of the plait loose. Continue this around the head.
• Step three: Secure the plaits with a hair net and use a diffuser to completely dry in place.
• Step four: Using a wide iron, clamp the plaited hair and repeat until all the moisture is removed. Remove the hair net and smooth the top of the head with your dressing brush then lightly unravel the plaited hair.
• Step five: Using a few pumps of the EIMI Perfect Setting, clap into the hair (try to not disturb the work you have done). We want the underneath section of the hair to have rope like feeling and the top to have a contrasting texture.
• Step six: Using EIMI Dry Me, lightly spray the top layer of hair avoiding the crown to create a loose and airy feel to the hair.

For more information visit www.wella.com

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