They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and Harris Reed made sure they were impossible to ignore at London Fashion Week. With dramatic spider lashes stretching skyward and hair slicked to perfection, we step backstage to experience the designer's 'Gilded' fantasy
To kickstart London Fashion Week, Harris Reed unveiled his autumn/winter '25 collection, titled 'Gilded'. Opening the show was none other than Florence Pugh, who instructed the front row to “be unruly, be reckless, and be loud”. The Oscar nominee’s rousing speech set the tone for a show with all the theatricality Reed is known for.
That same sense of drama also informed the beauty. Hair was led by Ali Pirzadeh, who curated two ultra-sleek looks. First, a structural mid-ponytail that was gelled down at the scalp but became more pliable as the hair cascaded down. Pirzadeh used the Dyson Chitosan™ Pre-Style Cream to prep the hair before styling, before going in with the Dyson Supersonic r™ Professional Hair Dryer and Post-Style Serum to lock everything in place.
The second hairstyle was a circular twisted bun. “We wanted to step away from traditional chignons – each bun is hand-sewn with a crochet needle and thread, which harks back to Reed’s demi couture style,” Pirzadeh told British Vogue. “I wanted the hair to look really luxurious,” Reed added. It was important to have beauty elements that “really juxtaposed the severity of the clothes”, the designer said.
Photo: Courtesy of Dyson
Sofia Tilbury, meanwhile, was behind the refined and playful make-up look, and said the aim was to reflect the central theme of rebellion in Reed’s “unapologetic” collection. “We also created a nuanced contrast with a soft, fresh, glowing complexion and nude lips, mimicking a sense of vulnerability and inversion.”
The make-up team used the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream and Magic Hydrator Mist for dewiness and hydration. Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation and Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer were both used to create a very natural base. “Soft definition and a radiant glow” were achieved using Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Contour and Beauty Light wands. Airbrush Flawless Finish was used to set everything in place.
The exaggerated eyelashes, meanwhile, were impossible to miss, and added an ethereal air to the beauty look. After applying long fluttery falsies to each model’s upper and lower lashline, Tilbury followed up with layers of Charlotte’s Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara “to dial up the drama”. As for lips, Tilbury applied Charlotte’s Hot Lips lipstick in Kim K.W. and K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Penelope Pink or Pillow Talk Intense.
Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images
Originally published on vogue.co.uk.