News feed
Aje is an iconic Australian label that never fails to draw a crowd. This morning, they showed the Resort 23 collection at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. All the Aje calling cards were ever present: chiffon, fine pleating, sculptural dresses, frothy skirts and waist-baring cutouts. In a theme that seems to be running through the entirety of fashion week, the collection also included some party pieces: sequinned minis, silky pink pants and floral suiting. Inspired by the eternal dance between human, landscape and art, the show was perfect in every way, and further proved the significance of legendary local designers.
The beauty look also deserves a special mention. Led by Isabella Schimid, the aesthetic was less about makeup, and more about skin prep — so much so, that Aje partnered with Sunday Riley for the occasion. The fit was perfect — both are female-led, and run their businesses in a way that’s both thoughtful and sustainable (Sunday Riley is actually B-corp certified). Because of the rigorous skin prep, Schimid used hardly any makeup, but a quick scroll down will confirm that it really wasn’t needed (the glow is something else).
In celebration of the partnership and the collection, GRAZIA caught up with Aje co-founder Edwina Forest to discuss the show, feelings on fashion week, and of course all the beauty details. Keep scrolling to read.
How have you been feeling in the week leading up to fashion week?
Fashion week is always a highlight in my calendar and a significant moment for us as a brand as we continue to challenge ourselves and evolve every season.
Aje is a quintessential Australian brand. What does AAFW mean to you, personally and professionally?
As we expand our reach beyond local shores, it is Aje’s Australian roots and our intrinsic connection to Australian landscapes that make us distinct on an international stage. Showing at AAFW celebrates our innate connection to Australia, while providing a platform for Aje to amplify our Resort collection internationally.
Last year’s fashion week was permeated with lockdown anxiety. Does this year feel different?
There’s an optimism and renewed appreciation for the magic of collaboration. To bring to life our AAFW show this year, we’ve made the most of our ability to work with international talent such as London-based stylist Ashlee Barrett Bourmier and Australian expat, architectural designer Andy Moller leading international creative event agency, Studio Boum. It’s been an amazing experience!Can you talk me through the inspiration behind this year’s collection?
This season, we were inspired by philosophies of sculptors, particularly the ways in which they use the earth as both the canvas and core of their creations. It was truly an assemblage of artistic influences, but we were especially drawn to the the vibrant hues found in the vast landscape art installations of Christo and Jeanne-Claude and the undulating hills of Maya Lin’s ‘Storm King Wavefield. Malene Knudsen’s sinuous stoneware also featured on our moodboard, along with the bold, free-form florals of Simone Bodmer-Turner and Emma Kohlmann’s collaborative ceramic works.
Tell me about the partnership with Sunday Riley — why was skin health so important to you this season?
Recognising what we put on our skin can have impacts on the health and wellbeing of both ourselves and the earth is increasingly important to me. Sunday Riley aligns with these core values, including minimising our impact on Earth, and maximising our positive impact on humanity. This year, Aje has made wholehearted and conscious decisions to partner with collaborators who are committed to doing better together for the beautiful world we live in.
Can you share details around the beauty look?
We are working with Isabella Schimid to create a healthy, naturally radiant complexion with Sunday Riley products that complements the raw beauty and effortless cool innate to Aje.
Sustainable and organic haircare brand, O&M, led by hair director John Pulitano, are taking the natural texture of each Aje model’s hair and enhancing the strands with ghd hair tools to give it an effortlessly cool, undone look. Beauty director Isabella Schimid is applying a touch of subtle colour with Flavedo and Albedo products, defining the eye with subtle gold eyeliner while Gloss & Co. have chosen a soft sand tone for nails in reflection of the runway.
Discover the Sunday Riley X AJE skin prep ritual below:
Begin with Ceramic Slip Cleanser, which pulls dirt and impurities up and out of the skin while pulling in critical hydration.
Pink Drink Firming and Resurfacing Essence a peptide infused treatment resurfaces, balances, and firms the look of the skin while supporting the natural microbiome.
Add a few drops of C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil to recharge the skin, leaving it brighter and cared-for.
Then apply Sunday Riley’s hero, the all-in-one AHA infused brightening treatment Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment.
Massage in ICE Ceramide Moisturising Cream for a hit of hydration.
Finally, an application of Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream instantly illuminates the eye area.
