NZFW Kathryn Wilson

How do you show off shoes on a catwalk where clothes reign supreme?

You raise the catwalk to eye level and get all the models to wear uniform black leotards making the footwear the star of the show.

Kathryn Wilson’s show was a slick, sexy and exciting addition to the fashion week schedule. Her models were smoking hot, ‘think Robert Palmer from the 80s’.

Danny Pato and the team from DM Hair slicked hair up into tight ponytails positioned high on the crown. The hair was then fastened into place, twirled to cover the hairband and then dramatised with a long hair piece creating a swishy ponytail.

The makeup was strong – a dark eye and brilliant red lip. Amber D from MAC keyed the look and used a combination of MAC’s star eye products: blacktrack, fluidline, carbon eyeshadows, bloodline and tan pigments and black acrylic paint. She used Silver Dusk Irredescent powder as a highlight on cheekbones, forehead and jaw and kept the rest of the skin as natural as possible with Studio Sculpt foundation. The distinguished lip colour was from Red Lipmix. Nails were painted red to match.

This is an instantly wearable look for anyone, of any skin tone to wear – but it’s a look that must be worn with confidence.

The simple, stunning, uniformity of the models made the shoes really shine – all up there were 34 pairs of to-die for shoes.

Kathryn has broadened her colour palette to include a must-have Khaki wedge bootie, magenta, floral, mustard yellow and leopard print. So many must-haves! The shoes were complimented by pieces of jewellery from Kathryn’s friend Boh Runga’s collection – nicely styled by Angela Crane – nothing competed, it all worked seamlessly.

In a cheeky nod to the models, Kathryn’s best friends bravely donned black leotards and tights, ponytails and red lips to usher the 1000 strong audience in. A fun show with a great collection!