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year and a half ago, LA-based designer Jonathan Simkhai visited Sydney’s iconic Bondi beach on holidays, falling in love with the brilliant, beguiling beach that captivates so many under its salty spell. Yesterday, he returned. This time, however, to present his Resort 2020 collection as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. Through his art, Simkhai sought to capture what he described as the “magic hour”; that mystical time between day and night, that whipped sky, the gentle rolling surf, the fuzzy haze above the sea. As fate would have it, fashion was running late (of course), and Simkhai’s 4pm show at the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was delayed by an hour. That lost hour made for a most spectacular sunset; rich in gold, rust and rose, Simkhai’ sunset-inspired designs played out against Bondi’s magic hour.
It was a theme which transcended the dip-dyed frocks and cotton candy suiting, making its way to model faces via Liz Kelsh, makeup extraordinaire for Max Factor. “The theme of the show is golden hour, so I wanted to create a look that changed with the changing light at sunset,” explains Kelsh backstage. “I used lots of texture in the look using mostly creams for eyes, lips and blush to reflect the many textures in Jonathan’s collection for an over all sun-kissed, glowing vibe.” It’s true, skin was truly radiant, with thanks to Max Factor’s stellar Radiant Lift Foundation. But the makings of a sun-kissed complexion come down to highlighting, and Kelsh applied Miracle Glow on the high points of the skin, “also mixing some Miracle Glow into the Foundation for maximum effect.” Nothing like a little cosmetic mixology to make you glow.
“The rest of the look was very simple yet effective,” continues Kelsh, putting the Miracle Blush Duo to good (and varied) use. “We used Miracle Blush Duo on eyes, lips and cheeks to give that I’ve-just-walked-off-the-beach-vibe,” while Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs was used to give limbs “a little lift”.
As the sun finally fell, the Aperol Spritzes ran dry and Jonathan Simkhai’s girls ascended into North Bondi’s iconic Surf Club, Simkhai’s love for Bondi’s magic hour suddenly made sense. And what a magic hour is was.
Videographer: Joshua Amanaki – Amanaki Studios
