Bouffants, beehives, curls, waves and more hairspray than Viva Las Vegas! … but right here in Melbourne?
Yes, that sums up our Iconic 1960s Hairstyles Event at the National Gallery of Victoria. Part of the NGV Kids Summer Festival and stunning Warhol/WeiWei exhibition, the Australia Day styling demonstration was a raging success.
Who knew that watching ’60s hairstyles come to life could keep so many kids enraptured for three full hours? (Parents and babysitters, take note!)
Under the colourful stained glass ceiling of the Great Hall, our models Susanne, Eva and Meik had their tresses transformed into towering recreations from the Swinging Sixties, as you can see in the photos and video below.
Meanwhile, as I curled and teased our models’ hairdos to soaring heights, our enthusiastic audience offered up their own stories of how Mum or Grandma did their hair back in the day.
One woman shared with me her sixties-era bridal photographs, featuring her tower of perfectly pinned curls, artfully arranged over many hours by her hairdresser.
Best anecdote of the day? One woman shared her mother’s secret for the biggest, fullest beehive: she would hide a loaf of bread inside for maximum height!
We were delighted to see so many people not only turn out for this special event, but stay for the entire session. Yet our favorite part was how many also came and said hello, asked their burning questions, shared their own stories and came away with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of the fun of vintage styling.
A big thank you to my wonderful models Suzanne, Eva and Meik, who played their parts beautifully, and to Hunter Boyle and Mick Russell for the striking visuals that allow us to share this window into our day of diva-worthy hair. And of course, we’re incredibly grateful to the team at NGV for the opportunity to share our passion and all their support in making this event such a wonderful experience for all!
Videography: Linchpin Studios
Director/Photographer: Hunter Boyle
Models: Suzanne, Eva Las Vegas, Meik
To create my art, I use brushes of a different kind.
I look at faces, both old and new. Round, soft, open, wide: each face is a new canvas and a foundation that I’m privileged to work with.
I first learnt the power of a great hairdo when I was very young. The Silver Screen was my mentor. The elderly women in my life, the discarded magazines and dog-earred manuals of bygone days were my teachers.
Meanwhile, my own thick, unruly hair was both a constant battle and an inspiration.
While I dreamt of a Louise Brooks bob, when I looked in the mirror I saw a puffy, frizzy chaos of curls. I’d built a powerful image in my mind of the woman I wanted to become … and this was not what she looked like.
At age 14, my rudimentary tools were limited to hair mousse and a hair dryer diffuser. That year, everyone wanted to look like Jennifer Beals; I wanted Rosalind Russell. Writing my own style script was the only way forward.
Andy Warhol clearly knew the transformative power of hair.
From Marilyn to Mao, his artwork prominently features iconic hairstyles. And his silver grey wig became an inherent part of his iconic status. You simply can’t picture Warhol without it, can you?
This Australia Day, January 26th, from 12-3pm in the Great Hall at NGV, I’ll be creating three different looks, taking you through the step-by-step techniques of how these are achieved. We’ll also chat about hairstyling history and trends in the 1960s, with particular focus on the ornate and complex styling worn by many of Warhols’ celebrity muses.
In a time where it has never been easier to become your own work of art, I’d love to share with you the experience of creating these mini-masterpieces.
This event is free and doesn’t require a booking. Join me, come say hello and enjoy our iconic styling adventures this Australia Day (or follow the fun via hashtag #WarholWeiwei).
Last night was a Mother’s Day night out treat for my Mum and I. We headed into the city early for some delicious Pho and green tea ice cream before the rest of of evening spectacular began, and it certainly was spectacular!
I wish you could have all been with me at the Regent theatre last night to see the pure perfection that was the Australian production of Wicked. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a show so thoroughly that I was already planning my next visit before the curtain had fallen.
I’d heard all the songs, and had a little idea about the story, but I’d decided not to really research the show before seeing it so I could be properly enthralled. If I could describe this show to you in a nutshell, it is this;
Wicked is like the best of Harry Potter meets Legally Blonde, all wrapped up in the delicious bright Disney style of musicality. The short of show from which Fandoms are made.
I wanted every costume, every sparkle and to sing every song with the intensity of the day when you feel you are truly winning. It is sharp, witty and perfectly executed by each and every actor. In this age of technology, it is so easy to forget the intricacies of live theatre; the pressure on every member, seen and unseen, to get it just right. The occasional glimpse of the conductors head bobbing in the orchestra pit, reminds you that what your seeing is living art, and I can’t wait to bring both of my girls into this thrilling picture!
Although the theme for this “green carpet” event was indeed, green; I opted instead for something warm and autumnal that could handle a wet city street. My fabulous long, sweeping skirt is an old Ralph Lauren favourite that has been in my wardrobe earning it’s keep for almost ten years, and still going strong.
Outfit Details
Red and black plaid woollen skirt – Ralph Lauren
Jewellery – Lovisa 1960’s styled collection
Cashmere shrug – Op shop find
Black top – Luca and Marc
Evening bag – Black velveteen 1950’s vintage
Shoes – J Maskrey for Melissa collection
Lips – MAC Russian Red
If you fancy enjoying Wicked in Oz for yourself, I have an exclusive pre sale code for you here, available only until Midnight tonight, so hurry!
![Big Hair Don’t Care: Classic 1960s Hairstyles [VIDEO]](https://vintagecurrent.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NGV-Iconic-60s-hairstyles-demo-4.jpg)
