Kevin Murphy styles model Kate Pecks hair. All photos by Mandy Zelinka

The backstage where hair and make-up took place looked as you might imagine, stylists hurredly creating looks, photogs bouncing about, and models on IPhones with their earphones in. I was first drawn to the make-up side where strong bold lips were at the forefront of the evenings look. Lead Make-up Artist Kate Squires explained that the look was a collaboration between the lead stylist for the evening, Kate Gaskin, and herself. “Kate said she wanted a bold lip, but edgy, with a slight 40′s feel. You can see that purple picks up through the collection, and it is different than the other colors we are seeing this season.” Watching the models saunter down the runway you could clearly see how well executed this look was, as it would take a wizard to mesh these themes and still keep it beautiful and feminine. The make-up, as well as the hair, transcended very nicely between the 10 designers working under the evenings theme of ‘Gala,’ and actually became better with numerous clothing changes.
Weeks prior to the show Kevin sat down and collaborated for the evenings look. Mannequin heads and drawings of head shapes were used as a guide for the stylists working backstage. French Lacing, an old school form of backcombing, was used to marry the hair together, creating a cushion. The hair was then rolled into an asymmetrical French roll – resulting in looks that lasted until the end.
Those that might assume that a models job is a cake walk should know that they can do upwards of an exasperating 3 shows a day, starting with an 8 a.m. call time, and ending with the 9 p.m. Designer Series. Ten year veteran model Silvana has been impressed by this year’s run of things, noting that the “changes are very good and not as rushed as in year’s past. It is more organized this year.” The flow of the evening did indeed go swimmingly leading up to the runway shows. Models were finished with ample time to make it to their area to dress while attendee’s took their seats. The lights dimmed as the sounds of birds started filling the room.

There are two things I learned today about traveling alone. One. You look like a total dick when you try to take pictures of yourself so that mom knows you are safe. Two. Your senses are heightened. This is partly due to the lack of cell phone as well. Overhearing “I’ve got skills to pay the billz” sounds entirely different with an Aussie accent. And three. I forgot one. There is nobody to tell you you can’t have ice cream prior to dinner.

Melbourne makes me proud that Portlander’s are nice. Aussies are nice, and honest, without being pricks. (That’s you NY.) And they ride bikes here. Numbers of bikes. There is bike rentals within blocks of each other.

You can walk 5 blocks and seem like you are in Jack the Ripper’s London, go a few more and end up in a modern cities living room fully equipped with a big screen TV (like gigantic – 2 stories tall) playing soccer on it while outside bar patrons sip their beer.

I strolled along a picturesque river with the train station (that looked like Buckingham Palace) as the backdrop.

When I didn’t know where I was at and didn’t want to look like a tourist I stepped into Jack London, a menswear store, and asked the polite storekeeper where I in fact was at. “Melbourne!” He replied. Ha. He chatted me through the street I was on, and stepped outside with me to show me we were standing on the very street that is indeed the most photographed alley in Melbourne. I walked back by this area intending to eat, but alas, I needed to use the restroom and it didn’t appear to me that this is a priority when restaurants put up shop here.

After all of my walking and a need for a good hard sleep I decided pasta was the way to go. The nice Italian man took pity on my request for dinner for one as the restaurant was absolutely packed. When ordering the waiter asked if I wanted a glass or bottle of wine. Having him know that I was a table for one and still asked if I wanted a bottle, well, let’s just say it made me feel less judged had I in fact opted for the full bottle.

After I ate I stepped up to the front to pay. In his heavily accented Italian he tried to tell me that the table I was sitting at was famous (although he never really got to telling me why.) I told him, “of course it is famous – I sat there!” He then took a look at my debit card, pronounced my name, and asked me why I was in town. “Do you know Kevin Murphy?” I asked. (I need to stop asking this. I asked another store clerk the same thing and her face lit up and she said “yes I know KEVIN.MURPHY !” Obviously. He is famous here. Duh.) “Yes I know KEVIN.MURPHY.” he replied. “Well, I am his social media girl-I blog for him.” He gave me a look of “oh…wow!” And I said, “See. I told you I was famous.”

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The opening party for MSFW took place at Georges, a venue steeped in history, having been founded as a shopping mecca in 1835 when Melbourne was one of the largest cities in the British Empire. The crowd didn’t disappoint with celebrity sitings, the furthest traveled most likely being British singer Brian McFadden or Jay Alexander – better known in the States at Ms.J from America’s Next Top Model.
The model’s hair was coiffed by KEVIN.MURPHY stylist James Furness with Dannii Minogue having had her tresses tended to by Kevin himself. MSFW Presenter Ashley Hart (sister of model Jessica Hart) interviewed attendee’s, most notably being the statuesque MSFW Face Sophie Van Den Akker.
Leave it to the Aussies to introduce a new theme for fashion week, a world first, that of pregnant models sauntering down the runway. This trend may have been inspired by Dannii Minogue, who while draped in Manning Cartel, stated to the crowd that during her pregnancy was a time in which she felt most beautiful.
Minogue, herself being a fashion designer (Project D) seems an obvious selection for MSFW ambassador. Her choice in a London based fashion designer partner is telling as well, considering Minogue originates from a city rich in European influences.
The KEVIN.MURPHY team also chatted up with fashion stylist Emily Ward, her designs set to appear on the runway in the coming week. (Emily was most recently selected by the Sartorialist as one of 17 subjects for a campaign capturing the city’s stylemeisters in streets, lanes and cafes of Melbourne.)
DJ’s rotated throughout the night, the evenings drinks were plenty and guests imbibed while clad in their top attire. As the evening progressed the photo ops got  steadily more jovial, the noise level heightening with jokes and laughter.
The opening night party most certainly set the tone for a week’s worth of events, indicating nothing short of a successful week for all involved.

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CEO Peter McDonald and Kevin Murphy

MSFW Ambassador Kylie Minogue

Miss J from America's Next Top Model