AAFW 23: Goldwell X Bianca Spender
Goldwell and Bianca Spender partnered at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week and celebrated dual milestones in showcasing the fashion house’s Summer ‘23 Collection. With Goldwell celebrating 75 years, Bianca Spender celebrating fifteen years and the brands collaborating on their fourth runway show, it was a time to honour the brands’ partnership and longevity.
Hair Director Jason Fassbender of Willomina Woollahra, was motivated by the concept of softness conveyed by the deep comfort of the collection. Jason was inspired by the experimentation with shapes and the contrast between traditional tailoring and organics forms, which confronts the polarity of redefined dress codes. Jason’s hair direction spoke to this encapsulation of function and fluidity.
“We wanted to create hair with an edge, nothing too pretty or perfect and inspired by the 90s cool girl vibe. The faux fringe is a lot of fun, juxtaposing the softness of the collection, while looking polished from the back,” Jason said. “Bianca loves hair with texture and Goldwell’s Style Sign Creative Texture range has something for all hair types. My go to is StyleSign Creative Texture Dry Boost as the hair remains soft and workable, natural texture is amplified.”
This aesthetic was created into two looks, a dropped ponytail described as “quintessentially Bianca” and the aforementioned faux fringe, explained as “rock and roll”, created on a myriad of versatile hair textures. Both looks are deeply connected to a synergy with the fashion house and its legacy.
“It’s fifteen years for Bianca this year so they’ve been going back over their archive this year and looking at the pieces that were really successful for them and what really made a signature for the house. They’re infusing that with a bit of cool, they want to bring it back to now and make it a little edgier,” Jason said.
“It’s the best of the brand infused with new ways of wearing the clothes, so much has changed in fifteen years, and the way that I’ve approached the hair as well is the woman who would buy Bianca Spender fifteen years ago and now has a fifteen-year-old daughter. That’s how we came up with the faux fringe as something edgier. So, mum’s got the ponytail and her daughter has the fringe.”
The two long-standing brands continue to inspire together in these innovative collaborations, as Bianca explores evolving concepts of movement and fluidity and Goldwell supports these artistic endeavours.
“Designing clothes has long been a type of cathartic therapy for me as I find my own voice within the industry. Of late I am more experimental and optimistic than ever and confident that my clothes make people feel inspired, courageous and happy. Kinetic Energy is essential to my vision – clothes in motion, enhancing the movement and form of the wearer. This constant energetic exchange helps fuel my imagination,” said Bianca Spender, Founder and Creative Director, Bianca Spender.
“Goldwell has been a proud partner of Bianca Spender at four runway shows in a collaboration that spans over five years. We admire her creativity and use of colour and texture in producing fashion collections that are both beautiful and functional. Celebrating 75 years of Goldwell innovation this year, we are thrilled to support Bianca as she celebrates fifteen years of her label,” shared Rita Marcon, General Manager Kao Salon Division ANZ.
Get the looks:
Look 1 – Dropped Ponytail
- STEP 1: On dry hair apply Goldwell StyleSign Ultra Volume Naturally Full section by section through roots to ends and blow dry roughly through hair. Use a round brush to directionally blow dry away from face. Finish is to be natural rather than perfect.
- STEP 2: Wide tooth comb through hair to smooth. Flat iron ends of hair with slight bend under (very lightly to smooth ends in one section). Section just below the crown from ear to ear, pulling lower half of hair into smooth ponytail at base of head.
- STEP 3: Back comb the top section and apply a light mist of Goldwell StyleSign Creative Texture Dry Boost and comb through. Rake hair back straight with slight texture and height on top and join to ponytail. Put hair in loose pony with three loops. Pull tails of elastic as though you are taking pony out in downward motion to create the snake effect.
- STEP 4: Light mist of Goldwell StyleSign Just Smooth Diamond Gloss all over to add shine and finish.
Look 2 – Faux Fringe:
- STEP 1: Prep as per look 1. Apply Goldwell StyleSign Creative Texture Unlimitor on sides only and brush back into mid to low tight ponytail leaving enough length to create faux fringe. This should be a tight, neat ponytail.
- STEP 2: Twist ponytail up and pin up to crown. Fan ends across face as faux fringe.
- STEP 3: If needed add texture to mid lengths and ends of fringe with flat iron and lightly spray Goldwell StyleSign Creative Texture Texturizer, scrunch through fringe ends for undone finish.
- STEP 4: Light spray of Goldwell StyleSign Ultra Volume Magic Finish all over hair. The final look should be textured and slightly imperfect.
- PRO TIP: The Faux Fringe works beautifully with a headscarf or headband to hold it in place.
For more information visit www.goldwell.com.au