I was lucky to score an invitation to the Alix Higgins Show for Afterpay Australian Fashion Week and also got the full backstage experience. Much thanks to O.P.I. for this amazing experience.
Alix Higgins is an Australian-based fashion and textiles designer. This was the first time Alix Higgins was showing at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week ("AAFW2022"). This show was completely self funded by Akix Higgins and he describes this Resort Wear collection "A Gift From The Fall" as:
"This collection is an odyssey, a desert highway, somewhere and nowhere. The garments are more raw, harder, sharper. There is a sense of things disintegrating before your eyes, as if they haven’t loaded properly, as if we were being warned.
It’s a romantic and poetic future facing a procession of my friends, an army of angels. Venturing out into the world together, protecting one another." (Source: article by Marie Claire https://www.marieclaire.com.au/alix-higgins-australian-fashion-week).
The other Creatives supporting the Alix Higgins AAFW2022 show were:
Nails by Mikele Simone (@mikelesimonebeauty) for @opiaustralia: slate and black shades to contrast against the brighter colours of the garments. Mikele is the official @opiaustralia Brand Partner.
Hair Director, Benjamin James (@benjamin.james) for @ghdhair_anz: embracing diversity by working with each model's hair type and texture for a more separated look with sides pinned back pre-show. Ben is an all-round stylist and curl specialist with an absolute passion for editorial styling, Ben is frequently found behind the scenes at fashion shoots and runway shows. Got to interview him for the podcast, I would say this is THE most chilled dude in the best way. Really cool and down to earth.
Makeup Director, Mikele Simone for @meccamax: muted tones using the Off Duty Sticks, Bronze-A-Thon 3D Bronzing Trio, Life Proof Second Skin Foundations and Concealers; and makeup brushes.
The collection is now available for purchase at alixhiggins.com
OBVIOUSLY, I never got the chance to speak to Alix Higgins. Call time for backstage prep was 6 a.m. for the 9 a.m. runway show and I only got there at 7.30 a.m.. I did get to talk to Benjamins James, the Hair Director for the show using GHD Hair (you can listen to that interview as the Beauty Business Podcast by clicking here)
This was the first show of the last day at AAFW2022. So after a very eventful few days of running around at AAFW chasing people to interview, I could not make the 6 a.m. call time.
HOWEVER, I did get the best backstage experience because I got to see the behind the scenes prep and the test run. The works: from sound check to light check to watching the models practice the runway walk. It is more complicated than just walking o.k.? There was a pattern and rhythm that they had to follow. Plus, kudos to them for getting there at 6 a.m. after walking in other runway shows.
The above are some images I captured of scenes from backstage and the runway test.
The Show
This was a colourful and very wearable collection. Interestingly, some of the models had their feet painted in pink paint/pigment - a nod to Australia's First Nations. This was a preview of Resort Wear, so some of the outfits do have a relaxed feel.
The collection is now available for purchase at alixhiggins.com
The collection is now available for purchase at alixhiggins.com
I hope you enjoyed this Fashion Story! I'm planning to do more. Please do subscribe to my blog (see various (they are irritating and I am sorry about that) pop up boxes or sign up in the box below). Drop me an email (tashi@paintbytashijadebell.com) or DM me on my Instagram (@paint_bytashijadebell) and let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for me. I always love hearing from you.
Yours Truly with Lots of Love, Tashi Jade Bell.
Disclaimer: All of the photos here are taken by me. You cannot use them without my written permission first. These are my personal views and I do not any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. I was very kindly invited backstage and to the show by O.P.I. Australia
