Our main purpose at Revival Runway is to support small, independent fashion brands alongside the young and emerging fashion creatives – the models, stylists, makeup artists, hair stylists, photographers and fashion marketers. Everyone who works on our runway shows and our editorial shoots are volunteers; we all do it for the love of fashion.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODEL Iris O’Connell
For our ‘New, New Romantics’ editorial shoot we headed out of the city to Geelong, which, naturally enough, meant we had to look for a whole new team. Our creative director for this shoot – Lucy Denning – is a Geelong Girl so she reached out to models and creatives in her hometown to work on the shoot.
We were so happy with the fabulous response to the call – models, a hair stylist and a photographer all said yes; and a stunning venue, The Door Gallery Cafe, agreed to let us shoot at its location. After a wobbly few days, the shoot came together.
THE CONCEPT
The 80s are having a general resurgence right now, but we wanted to focus on an era that was more maximalist than minimalist, it was time to bring back the extravagance of the New Romantics.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODELS Rebecca Evans, Kate Delany
“I wanted this shoot to include many different elements that shouldn’t work together, yet they do,” explains creative director of the shoot, Lucy Denning. “Organised chaos. It quickly became apparent that what I was envisioning was the 80s New Romantics movement.”
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODELS Rebecca Evans, Kate Delany
According to Lucy, “The New Romantics was all about flamboyance, eccentricity, and boldness in fashion, and was led by creative forces such as Boy George, Marilyn, Duran Duran, Adam Ant, Spandau Ballet, and Human League.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODELS Rebecca Evans, Kate Delany
“The New Romantics were more than a fashion movement or a music genre. Although at face value it may not seem it, the New Romantics movement actually carried a lot of cultural significance and brought to light the ridiculousness of society sticking to set gender identities and roles. Something that is so topical and needed in modern society,” explains Lucy.
“Picture this. You’ve got your silk pantaloons on, Poison Arrow by ABC is on and you’ve just fixed up your eyeliner, ready to step back into the Blitz Club.”
THE GARMENTS
Another one of Lucy’s ideas for the shoot was to work with secondhand – or pre-loved – garments. Supporting ethical consumerism by suggesting other ways to shop is now an important part of working in the fashion industry.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODEL Iris O’Connell
“To keep with the concept, I decided that the garments in this shoot should all be secondhand. Many of the garments that we showcased are actually from the 80s – we raided friends’ and parents’ wardrobes to ensure ‘authenticity and realness’,” says Lucy with a laugh.
“New life was given to these brilliant, often bespoke garments, as well as to the New Romantics movement by re-styling these pieces. The looks were put together with careful consideration for the New Romantics movement, but also keeping modernity in mind.”
In order to add to the secondhand looks, we also worked with bag and accessories brand Nardia P Art, and international hip shoe brand Fluevog.
NARDIA P ART
Nardia P Art is an independent, and creative Melbourne brand by Nardia Parente. These beautiful bags and headpieces are hand-painted by Nardia and feature gorgeous colours and wonderful patterns. Nardia paints intuitively and takes the time to individually paint each piece, meaning that they are all unique and one-off pieces. Her creativity is so inspiring and groovy.
Along with her hand-painted bags and headpieces, Nardia also stocks mixed art pieces such as prints, charcuterie boards, keyrings, and has even decorated a pair of rollerskates! Nardia also hand-pours and paints divine sculptures. As for many, art is an escape for Nardia. Nardia uses art as a medium to spread love, happiness and joy.
To shop Nardia’s work, go to nparenteart.com.au, and follow her on Instagram at @nardia.p.art.
FLUEVOG
Although Fluevog is not a local brand, it is all for creativity and expression, which is a pillar of Revival Runway’s purpose. John Fluevog has been pushing the boundaries of contemporary fashion for the last 50 years, being integrated into the ever-changing movement of fashion.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor SHOES Fluevog
His sometimes outlandishly beautiful designs have found their place on dance floors, film sets and were even an integral part of the punk movement in the 90s.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor SHOES Fluevog
From the moment we laid our eyes on these gems from Fluevog, it was clear that they fitted perfectly into our shoot. We can just picture Adam Ant putting on a pair of Purple Diana Sleek Chelsea Boots. The bright colours and far out design of Fluevog shoes scream New Romantics.
Fluevog has a store in Melbourne located at 1 Degraves Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. You can also shop the brand online at www.fluevog.com, and follow the brand on Instagram at @fluevog.
THE HAIR & MAKEUP
“Given the concept, hair and makeup was of great importance to the overall planning and implementation of this shoot,” explains Lucy. “I had to be sure that the hair and makeup of the New Romantics was honoured properly, as it was such an important aspect of the movement.”
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODELS Riana Rahman, Kate Delany
Lucy believes that “creativity can flourish with a concept such as this one, pushing boundaries is what’s wanted. Hair and makeup were treated as an art form and the model as the canvas.
“The hair stylist and the makeup artist for this shoot are both local to Geelong. Connie North, a creative and talented hair stylist, constructed hair looks with volume, personality, and so much style. Connie brought to life the fantastical hair of the New Romantics movement.
“As a trained makeup artist I had lots of fun creating these theatrical and colourful makeup looks for the shoot. Honouring makeup heroes such as Boy George, I channelled the New Romantics movement into the present day.”
To get the talented Connie North from Poyo Hair to work her magic on you go to poyo.hair to book an appointment. You can follow Connie on Instagram at @poyo.hair to see her colourful work; Connie specialises in vivid colouring. For Lucy Denning’s amazing makeup, go to lucydenning, or email her at [email protected]. You can also contact her via DM on Instagram at @lucydenningmua.
THE LOCATION
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODELS Iris O’Connell Rebecca Evans, Riana Rahman, Kate Delany
“Our inspiring location for this shoot was The Door Gallery Cafe Geelong. This wonderfully picturesque location is filled with rare antique Indian doors, paired with beautiful little knick-knacks, creating such a grand yet comforting atmosphere. The Door Gallery Cafe is bursting with inspiration, fun and so much local history. It is situated in the Fyansford Arts Precinct and was once the historic working Paper Mill, being constructed in the 1870s makes it one of Australia’s oldest paper mills,” Lucy says.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucy Denning PHOTOGRAPHER James Taylor HAIR Connie North MAKEUP Lucy Denning MODEL Iris O’Connell
“This place is a dream shoot location, everywhere you look there’s the perfect spot for a photo. If the brilliant interior of the cafe wasn’t enough, the inspiration continues in the beautiful bluestone exterior of the building and the quaint garden surroundings.
“With delicious food, great coffee, and local music, The Door Gallery Cafe is the perfect hangout spot for friends and family, and for our New New Romantics.”
The Door Gallery Cafe is located at 8/100 Lower Paper Mill Road, Fyansford VIC 3218. For more information about the venue, go to www.indiandoors.com.au/cafe-wine-bar, and follow them on Instagram at @thedoorgallerycafe.
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