D&M co-owner and creative director, Danny Pato, has unveiled his latest collection film, Heroines.

The seven-time-consecutive New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, is renowned for his editorial collections. Most recently, the award-winning hairdresser’s previous collection, Pride, won a prestigious Big Shot Award in August.  

The creative concept behind the colourful Heroines collection was inspired by iconic heroines across pop culture—manga, video games, comic books and super hero films—with the film a tongue-in-cheek take on music videos from the 1980s.

“Heroines is a celebration and exaggeration of the queen, the goddess and the warrior,” says Pato.

Hair was inspired by bursts of colour powders and by the ink-in-water artwork of Alberto Seveso. A variety of hair textures are celebrated, with theatrical colours expressing the boldness of each character. From mermaid waves and the flat top to the shag and bob, classic hair forms are exaggerated for a super-expressive aesthetic.

The Heroines photographic collection won Pato the title of AHIA New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2023 in Sydney, where he was also inducted into the Dennis Langford Hall of Fame. He has won 10 international awards this decade, including two AIPPs and two International Hairdresser of the Year wins.

Film credits

Art Director: Danny Pato Producer: Ryland Wood Cinematographer: Todd Bilton Editor and VFX: Jarrod Wright

Music: “That’s How We Do It” by Joseph

Hair Director: Danny Pato using Davines, assisted by Michael Sisaengrath and the D&M Hair Design team. Stylists: Rachel Morton and Danny Pato

Makeup Artist: Kiekie Stanners, assisted by Miranda Raman and George Copeland

Special FX Makeup Artist: Luana Millar

Models: Lilly Egan from 62, Crystal Lim from N, Jenna Watermeyer and Sophia Bogiatto from Red11.