Karla Špetić x Weleda x Revlon Professional backstage report – May 13th, 2026
Karla Špetić unveiled COMPOSE Resort 2027 – a collection that explores freedom through composition, layering and quiet restraint, presented within the light-filled architecture of Saint Barnabas Chapel.
Weleda Australia was the official skincare partner for the show, working alongside Lead Makeup Artist, Susan Lilian. Weleda’s plant-powered skincare provided the foundation for a beauty look that was intentionally understated – skin that felt alive, considered, and deeply cared for.
In a collection defined by quiet geometry and luminous light, the beauty direction was a natural extension of Karla’s design language: nothing forced, nothing excess, just skin revealed at its best.
Revlon Professional also returned to the runway as the exclusive hair partner of the show. Returning for a third consecutive year, the Revlon Professional team, led by Benjamin Martin, Creative Director of XVI COLLECTIVE, brought to life a series of hair looks to complement the COMPOSE collection.
Working closely with Karla, Martin produced a series of styles that were refined yet effortless, embracing each model’s natural style.
The look:
"Beauty for this show is grounded in a sense of quiet purity, skin that feels alive, considered, and deeply cared for both internally and externally," said designer, Karla Špetić.
"In partnership with Weleda, a brand I have admired and trusted for many years, the focus begins with preparation. Their natural formulations allow the skin to be nurtured and restored, creating a foundation that feels balanced, fresh, and genuinely healthy."
"Under the direction of Lead Makeup Artist, Susan Lilian, the approach is intentionally restrained. Skin is not masked or overworked, but revealed. It appears clean, soft and refined, with a natural luminosity that is more matte than glossy, a gentle radiance rather than shine."
"There is no heaviness, no excess, just a quiet confidence in the skin as it is. The overall feeling is one of effortless beauty, where imperfection is embraced and nothing feels forced. A modern kind of freshness that sits between undone and refined, allowing each model’s natural features tocome through with ease. It is beauty that feels real, considered and softly powerful."
The skin:
To bring this vision to life backstage, Susan reached for a carefully considered edit of Weleda’s iconic Skin Food range: Skin Food Original was applied to the outer perimeter of the face for extra nourishment and to add a subtle, natural dimension to the skin.
Skin Food Light provided a lightweight, everyday layer of hydration, while Skin Food Body Lotion ensured skin felt smooth and cared for from head to toe. The Skin Food Lip Balm completed the look - pressed lightly onto lips for a soft, natural finish that sat beautifully within the collection’s restrained aesthetic.
The hair:
"The hair direction for the year’s show was reflected to be modern, sensual and quietly luxurious," explained XVI COLLECTIVE Creative Director, Benjamin Martin.
"Using Revlon Professional’s key styling products, such as the Bond Repair Pre-Wash and Leave-In Hair Treatment, we worked with the model’s hair to give it a soft, natural texture with subtle movement, where the hair feels alive but never overly polished."
The products:
Weleda Skin Food Original ($29.95/75mL at Weleda)
Weleda Skin Food Light ($29.95/75mL at Weleda)
Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion ($29.95/250mL at Weleda)
Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm ($12.95/8mL at Weleda)
Revlon Professional RE/START Bond Repair Pre-Wash + Leave-In Hair Treatment (more info here)
Revlon Professional RE/START Hydration Anti-Frizz Moisturising Drops (more info here)
Revlon Professional UniqOne Curls Hair Treatment (more info here)
Revlon Professional Style Masters Modular Hairspray (more info here)
Revlon Professional Style Masters Photo Finisher Hairspray (more info here)
Revlon Professional Style Masters Volume Elevator Hairspray (more info here)
You can find the Weleda 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.
For more backstage beauty and hair reports, click here.
Image credit: Supplied/Weleda/Revlon Professional
