NZFW 2011 backstage photo essay by Greg Novak #2: Stolen Girlfriends Club

Stolen Girlfriends Club, complete with a cardboard cut-out Luke Harwood, put an element of surprise into everything they did at their show last week. The men's range was launched outside, thankfully the rain held off, whilst all and sundry wondered if they had seen the entire show only to be corralled into the larger shed for the show proper. Scaffold dominated the catwalk and the vibe was suitably electric before the opening scene revisited the famous McQueen backstage silhouette concept in red. The first group of models came out onto the catwalk wearing, well, prom dresses, only to stop and discard them on the catwalk to reveal the real collection beneath. Lots of fun, a heaving room, a little mystery, this is why we love Stolen Girlfriends Club. Styled by a very busy Zara Mirken (three show week) with great hair by Greg Murrell and the Ryder Salon team using KMS California and make-up of course by M.A.C with New York maestro Fatima Thomas at the helm backstage was tight, and right on the night. Photographer Greg Novak beautifully captures the backstage hair and make-up teams in action...

NZFW 2011 backstage photo essay by Greg Novak # 1: Jimmy D

A closer look at the make-up by Amber D, hair by Liana Coscia and styling by Chris Lorimer for Jimmy D's AW 2012 collection shown this week at New Zealand Fashion Week. Intimate docomentary photography by Greg Novak. Twenty photos...

NZFW 2011 backstage looks by Greg Novak #1: Jimmy D

Jimmy D returned to NZFW 2011 with a punkish, light and dark ode to witchery that celebrated all that is dark and mystical or the fire in between. "It's a Kind of Magick" signalled a strengthening of the Jimmy D vision, a maturing of the relationship with three-year artistic collaborator Andrew McCloud and simple but strong ideas from long time stylist Chris Lorimer. M.A.C key Amber D demonstrating her ability to put the 'artist' into make-up artist also continues to mature and Liana Coscia headed up the hair team for Fudge with a mix of braided and free-flowing locks. We'll follow this post with a documentary-style photo essay of the crew and models backstage by Greg Novak.

Twenty-Seven Names AW 2012

Twenty-Seven Names showed this collection at NZFW last night as a gallery style installation - shot beautifully by Guy Coombes and featuring the one and only Ngahuia Williams wearing key pieces from the range and looking and acting very much the wallflower. Designers Rachel Easting and Analji Stewart have synched their art and fashion degree backgrounds and this collection more than ever shows why the duo are creating a cult following around the world for their clever use of prints, colour, cut and detailing. Inspired by 19th Century artist Edouard Manet the collection brings two words to mind; Impressive impressionism!

Hello! New Zealand Fashion Week...

We're not really into apologising for not posting but umm...we are. In the past two weeks, we've moved home and office, redefined Black Magazine for the future and been head over Alexander Wang heels immersed in the Workshop and Helen Cherry show we are producing, casting, and enjoying so much. This Thursday at the Auckland Town Hall, as part of New Zealand Fashion Week, iconic New Zealand artist Max Gimblett will add an artistic swish to the Workshop Denim range, stylist Jamie Huckbody will add his unique flair, Scratch 22 will deliver the sounds and a big team will make it all happen. We're plain excited. So, to celebrate, here is the communication from valued Workshop and Helen Cherry partner, BMW New Zealand. At the end of the week, we'll be posting backstage images by photographer Greg Novak.