Cool Pretty Cool

If this years Australian Fashion Week had a headline act, it would be @nicolandford . Held at Elizabeth House, we’d heard whispers that this collection would be full of optimism — so we skipped up the steps ready to be surprised, and surprised we were. The collection, titled Feint, was inspired by Adrian Feint, “a brilliant Australian artist and tastemaker whose work has largely remained hidden in private collections and museum basements.” The show was, of course, packed with the wonderful community that always surrounds Lil and Katie — designer Niamh Galea and our long-time friend @nmmwl among the stunning lineup. And on the topic of community, Feint was styled by one of our oldest friends, long-time CPC contributor and all-around fashion genius @miguelurbinatan — who, as you’ll notice, makes a couple of appearances in the gallery on Coolpretty.cool (the actual cutest). We asked emerging Aotearoa designer @laurencesabrine to ask Lil and Katie a few questions, read their answers — then delve into the captivating images @_negroamigo & @rebeccahong_ created backstage — on Coolpretty.cool.

Point and shoot in hand, whenever we had a spare moment we were documenting the best fits outside the shows — and the people of Australian Fashion Week truly delivered. Green satin rosettes, @elliot.cowen in @alixhiggins , a very chic umbrella on the beach and @jordangogos lounging under a cabana at the @commas show. It was a great week. Photos @chloechill

Spotting an Aotearoa angel in the Sydney fashion scene is a common occurance, the sunny city is usually the first stop for new talent taking on the international circuit. Still, it never gets old. Backstage at @karlaspetic ’s Wednesday evening show, as luck would have it, we didn’t find one or two but four of our favourite NZ friends. Decked out in lace, organza and all kinds of floaty layers, Isla, Lois, Nevaeh and Izzy were an absolute vision. Say hi to them, and meet a few of the other gorgeous humans who swung down Karla’s runway on Coolpretty.cool. Photos @chloechill

Look, we’re not going to pretend we don’t live in jeans and sneakers, because we absolutely do. But every now and then something comes along that makes us want to try a little harder, and last night @lidee_woman was exactly that. Sequins, sparkle and a high energy runway complete with some of the most notable Australian models around (Gemma Ward, Jess Gomes and Shanina Shaik among the lineup). Lucky for us, our friend @kobla.dido showed up and captured some of the sparkliest moments, so we can live in it a little longer.

If you weren’t at China Heights on Tuesday night, we’re sorry, it was a really good time. Packed out, full of good people, and buzzing before a single look even hit the runway. @alixhiggins ’ latest collection, ‘An Opening Voluntary’, brought digitally printed designs, cool polos and details your Nana would be excited for (fabric rosettes and delicate hats to list a few) to one of the most anticipated nights of Australian Fashion Week. We were excited. So excited infact, we couldn’t send just one person, so we sent two. Aidan Ouma-Machio and Rebecca Hong headed backstage armed with cameras and a VHS, and tbh, They nailed the brief. See it all for yourself on Coolpretty.cool. Photos @_negroamigo VHS Stills @rebeccahong_

Fashion week is beautifully chaotic, and nothing beats sneaking backstage to hang with the real MVPs — the models. Somehow, amid the madness, they’re always the ones keeping it cool. We caught up with a handful of sweet humans at Tuesday’s @biancaspender show. Say hi to Nevaeh, Lucy, Sienna, Sherry, Tari and Nicole over on Coolpretty.cool Photos @sophiadoak_

Day three of Australian fashion week was off to a very chic start, as our pal @ameliajdowd dipped backstage to capture @esse.studios latest collection in action BTS. From easy tee and trouser combos to dresses dripping in sequins, your jaw will drop. Enjoy the magic, above.

We’ve got a bunch of pals on the ground at Australian Fashion Week — and first photographer off the bat is a sweet NZ angel, @sophiadoak_ , who dragged herself out of bed bright and early this morning to head backstage at @commas ’ dreamy seaside show. She captured all the cool looks and made sure to say hello to a few friends of CPC, @stvn_thkkn and @mateen_ismail , to name a few. Revel in Sophia’s beautiful images on Coolpretty.cool.

Australian Fashion Week dropped yesterday in Sydney, and we scored backstage access at Maticevski’s long-awaited comeback show. Toni is basically fashion royalty around here, a long-time pillar of the local scene who’s been conspicuously absent from the Sydney schedule for years. So his return? A shiny full-circle moment at The Collider in Haymarket. Bringing together some of the most iconic Aussie faces (hiii @hannahelysewolf and @astrid_holler ) alongside a fresh wave of new talent. Head to Coolpretty.cool for the calm-before-the-storm moments, and get acquainted with 14 of the most luminous humans to grace the runway. Photos @chloechill

Oliver, Laila, Anouk, Ali & Aman sketch their way through Pōneke’s best bits; new today on Coolpretty.cool Photos @evieashby Fashion @chloechill Fashion Assistant @liv_ferg

@jesstangri is a multihyphenate who not only models; she also designs, styles, dances, and somehow still manages to be the most cool/chill human being. Honestly, we’ve got all the proof over on coolpretty.cool. Spotted by our long-time pal Chris over at @stonestreetagency , Jess has been creating a world of her own alongside launching her modeling career. Right now, she’s locked in on a move to Sydney which she’s “super nervous” about. But every challenge has its silver linings; for her it’s being able to connect with Sydney’s dance community, “[I’ve] always admired the dancers and choreographers in Sydney. I’m kind of awkward still, but I want to lock in until I can dance like a professional.” When she talks about Naarm, it gets deep. “I really found that I was free to be so inexplicably myself.” That freedom translates into how she interacts with clothes and the narratives she creates, “I like to look at the clothes or the styling and imagine what type of character I think would be wearing the look.” So, it tracks that her dream runway moment is the fantastical Christian Dior FW1997 by John Galliano. “The models are fun, sexy, full of personality, and interact with the crowd watching.” The part of our chat we can’t stop thinking about? When she casually mentions she’s launching her own label, @enteraverno . Maybe the perfect way for the rest of us to tap into her cool-girl factor… Consider this our official notice: we’re paying attention, and you should be too. Photos @rubyastyles Fashion @cecile2k Beauty @lovelulumakeup Fashion Assistant @daisyfaefielding Photo Assistant @kelljaide Features Editor @chloechill Shot on Location at @_blueball_room

The perfect day in Tāmaki Makaurau? Lurking around Dominion Road with models Jett and Sophie would be up there. Because who needs the tourist hot spots when you could hang with locals, drifting between the stacked shelves of Bulk Food Savings, or sifting through the treasure-filled van that is Gemini Vintage at Central Flea Market. Both played backdrop for our latest fashion story, featuring a dazzling array of local kākahu. Photos @scotthardy.work Fashion @natashaovely Beauty @katie_melody_rogers Features Editor @chloechill #CoolPrettyCool