Carla Zampatti x Shark Beauty backstage report – May 11th, 2026
Australian Fashion Week 2026 officially opened with a spectacular Carla Zampatti runway staged on the Park Hyatt boardwalk against the Sydney Opera House backdrop, and the beauty look was just as striking as the fashion.
Created in partnership with Shark Beauty as the official Hair Tool Partner and Skin Partner, the runway glam centred on luminous skin, sleek structure and effortless sophistication, designed to reflect the modern Carla Zampatti woman: confident, polished and powerful.
The look:
"Our Australian Fashion Week show is a celebration of the Carla Zampatti woman – self assured, modern, and unapologetically confident," said the Carla Zampatti creative team.
"Set against the Sydney Harbour foreshore and the Opera House, the show reflects a bold sense of identity, vibrance, and creativity that feels distinctly Australian."
"Beauty plays an essential role in bringing this vision to life. Through our partnership with Shark Beauty as Hair Tool Partner and Skin Tech Partner, the hair and skin direction feels polished, luminous and effortless – an extension of the strength and elegance of the women wearing the Reflections collection."
"At its heart, the show is also a tribute to the incredible women who have shaped the Carla Zampatti legacy, celebrating their individuality, accomplishment and enduring influence."
The hair:
"For the Carla Zampatti runway, the hair reflects an elevated simplicity with a strong, architectural edge. Timeless yet fierce, polished, and undeniably refined," shared Shark Beauty Hair Director, Madison Voloshin.
"The Shark Beauty Glam tool is essential in achieving that balance. I use it with the concentrator nozzle to create a smooth, controlled blow-dry, brushing through the hair to build natural volume, high shine, and soft, sweeping movement through the front."
"It allows me to create that silky, strong, and structured finish while maintaining fluidity, so the hair feels powerful yet effortless, capturing a modern sense of luxury, confidence, and sophistication."
The skin:
"For the Carla Zampatti runway, the skin is polished and balmy with an elegant, luxurious finish, paired with a softly contoured, sophisticated eye that feels true to the CZ woman," explained Shark Beauty Skin Director, Isabella Schimid.
"I start by prepping the skin with the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask, using its cooling effect to refine and even the complexion, creating a smooth, luminous base."
"From there, it’s about balance – a defined, matte lip pressed in as if applied by hand, keeping the overall look refined, modern, and effortlessly composed."
The products:
Shark Glam Hot Tool Air Drying & Styling System ($699.99 at Shark Beauty).
Shark CryoGlow Under-Eye Cooling & LED Mask ($699.99 at Shark Beauty).
You can find the Shark Beauty product range and download hi-res imagery for editorial inclusions, here.
You can find the full schedule for this year's AFC Australian Fashion Week presented by Shark Beauty, here.
Image credit: Shark Beauty
