Traditional garden inspirations paved the way for Wackie Ju on the final day of Australian Fashion Week, and Redken and Richard Kavanagh created bold looks across a multitude of characters to convey these thematic characters.,

“For Wackie Ju we drew on the designer’s inspiration of YuanMingYuan, a memorial garden outside of Beijing that was once a prosperous and thriving city and was destroyed in the 1800s causing the ruin and loss of important historical artifacts and cultural heritage,” Richard shared.

“Each person represented a character that has emerged from the ruins of the city. We had warriors with long braided tails to the floor, concubines with graphic elaborate updos decorated with antique baubles, religious icons with braided hairpieces and a seven-foot-long red wig.”

Other hero looks included whimsical characters with wild braids, what Richard described as a “mysterious character” with a strong graphic style worn up in a square shape and the hero finale dragon look, with hair styled into large graphic scales and a six-foot braided ponytail.

Products across the Redken range helped achieve these bold, creative looks and wig work was essential to the creative process.

“Between Nicol & Ford, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos and Wackie Ju we spent approximately 600 hours and approximately 60 packs of hair extensions,” Richard said.

Charred fashion components and a soundtrack that included screams and fire crackling harkened back to the destruction of the garden, while elegant, opulent and heroic garments paid homage to the heritage of the show’s inspiration. Fabrics such as organza and up-cycled Mongolian fur added to the aesthetic.

For more information visit www.redken.com.au

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