ONSTAGE

THREE POINT OH

A legendary legacy to an iconic hairdressing hero, TONI&GUY’s coveted 2018 instalment of their Global Collection nodded to the life and love of Toni Mascolo while celebrating the dynamism and direction of one of the greatest hairdressing brands the world has ever seen, writes Cameron Pine.

BRINGING TOGETHER THE entire industry like only TONI&GUY knows how, 2018's collection launch at Sydney’s Westin Martin Place was particularly heartfelt and a somewhat hedonic overdose of the brand’s true fashion DNA. The TONI&GUY Art Team dissected a bevy of looks for the year ahead including an array of sizzling reds and coppers as well as a dedicated segment to the masters of colour – Wella Professionals.

With a new aesthetic born in London by the brand’s creative director Sacha Mascolo Tarbuck, more than ever the images and looks are luxurious and high-end. The layering of clothes, many pieces in the original collection which were from emerging designer ZHI Chen’s I-AM-CHEN A/W18 collection, worked well in delivering the impression of expensive splendour. The concept was also a nod to the creative lead’s love of fashion and the brand’s long-standing sponsorship of London Fashion Week.

“Creating the new TONI&GUY Legacy Collection with the art team has been one which is close to my heart as it celebrates 55 years of hair, fashion, heritage and education, as defined by my father. This campaign looks at our past, present and future through three distinct styles: vintage, contemporary and creative, areas where we are unrivalled,” Sacha Mascolo Tarbuck said.

But an enthusiastic room filled with hundreds of passionate hairdressers in Australia was also true testament to the great respect held industry-wide for the hairdressing label. National creative director Katy Reeve and national technical director Jack Morton brought new life into the collection with dream-like avant-garde styling.

We heard speeches from the master of on stage presenting, Dennis Langford, managing director of the Australian business. He gave a shout out to his brother and business partner Graham Langford and national sales manager of label.m Beau Walker, and kept guests entertained throughout the show with his charm and brazen attitude towards life as the official MC.

The show progressed to present sculptural braids, incredible avant garde styling and headpieces, fiery coppers and reds, dreamy silhouettes and shadows, sharp angular shapes on the guys and incredible juxtapositions of all styling elements in one look to keep guests completely tuned in for the entire duration of the show. What felt like 30 minutes was over an hour of non-stop energy and entertainment. The fashion was made of intense colour and texture – almost synonymous with the fashion heritage of TONI&GUY as well as touches of grunge and glamour. Pops of pastels, curls and angular cuts weaved their way into a show that gave every hairdresser some inspiration to take home.

Models for the show casted by JustKhoo agency were a perfect balance of men and women, breathing energy and a sense of everyday realness into the iconic concept.

Privy to a consumer focused scouting campaign, ‘The Face of TONI&GUY’ for 2018/19 was also announced – a copper headed Stefanie and a brunette Richard set to further leverage the approachability of the brand to consumers.

To conclude the show, guests witnessed a powerful performance from Sheldon Riley, runner up from the Voice Australia 2018.

An annual event with a distinct personality, 2018 is testament that with the right leaders a legacy can live on. Finishing with ‘We Are Family’ was especially poignant as every person involved in making the night happen walked with a collective spirit and sense of pride for an industry we should always cherish.

For more information visit www.toniandguy.com.au