AAFW 23: Redken X Michael Lo Sordo

Michael Lo Sordo brought an ever-glamorous 1970s French nightclub inspired aesthetic to the first night of 2023 Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, with a luxe collection complemented by a partnership with AAFW Official Hair Sponsor Redken and hair director Richard Kavanagh.

“We wanted to create a look that highlights the luxury and sexiness of the garments with a very lo-fi French chic vibe, and creating hair that is effortlessly undone and slightly raw,” Richard said.

Redken’s Quick Blowout Lightweight Blow Dry Primer Spray was used as a hero tool, applied with a bristle brush to minimise volume and enhance the quality of the hair. Richard and the team then added a subtle, light bend, as put in with a curling iron before adding Redken Triple Dry 15 Texture Finishing Spray to create an instant lived-in feel.

The fashion collection was inspired by Michael Lo Sordo’s fascination with the cultural richness of French nightclubs, especially the shift from balls to dance halls in the 1920s, as well as the famous nightclubs that gained popularity in the 1970s. The collection captures the idea of a “velvet underground” and is focused on fabrics and approaches such as velvet, drapery and silk that permeated these scenes, with the design process anchored by the concept of dimly lit silk that would create a glistening effect under the reflection of moonlight. The hair looks were created to slightly offset this luxurious vibe for an overall cool girl look.

“The inspiration for the hair is really about finding a lo-fi feel circa Kate Moss in the early 2000s, and the idea is that by having the hair feel a little more lo-fi it earths the glamour and the luxury of the garments, because the Michael Lo Sordo girl is so sexy that keeping the hair a little more raw helps it feel cool,” Richard said.

Returning as the Official Hair Sponsor for AAFW, Redken’s innovative technology prioritises style and care, anchoring the hair health, longevity and adaptability necessary for a week of hair fashion. You’ll spot them backstage all week.