Inside the Shark Beauty Style Salon at Australian Fashion Week 2025.
While Australian Fashion Week 2025 was serving serious runway looks, it was the backstage beauty action at the Shark Beauty Style Salon that had the crowds talking. We caught up with Shark Beauty ambassador and fellow Kiwi hairstylist Trish Bhikoo to get the lowdown on this season’s hair trends, her go-to styling tools, and how to recreate the coveted “model off duty” slick-back with ease.
Which Shark tools are ideal for creating that classic ‘model off duty’ slick back hairstyle?
The Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb Straightener + Smoother is perfect for that look. It smooths hair close to the scalp, helping tame flyaways and create that clean, polished finish. For best results, I pair it with the Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher attachment to boost shine and reduce frizz before styling.
What key Shark products would you recommend for someone building their hair care routine from scratch?
Start with the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System. It’s a multi-tasking hero — drying, curling, smoothing and volumising all in one, with minimal heat damage. Combine that with the Shark SmoothStyle for rapid drying and frizz control, and you’ve got a salon-quality setup that’s beginner-friendly but powerful.
What hair trends do you anticipate being prominent this season?
This season is all about elevated simplicity. Think structured, high-shine finishes with sleek buns, sculpted ponytails, side parts — all about polish and precision. We’re also seeing shorter bobs, rounded ends, and soft face-framing layers making a return.
If you could only have one Shark tool on a desert island, which would it be and why
Easy — the Shark FlexStyle. It’s compact, lightweight and incredibly versatile. I have long, fine hair and like to switch it up — sleek and smooth one day, voluminous with a soft bend the next. FlexStyle lets me do both, effortlessly.
Shark Beauty’s Fashion Week Takeover
Shark Beauty made a powerful statement at Australian Fashion Week 2025, not just behind the scenes but centre stage. As the official presenting partner of AFW, Shark Beauty worked with top designers like Carla Zampatti, Aje, Bianca Spender, Alix Higgins, and Mariam Seddiq to create bold runway hair moments using its signature tools – including the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System and Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher.
Leading the creative direction was editorial stylist Madison Voloshin, with support from ambassadors including Chris Hunter, Daniel Jianing Liu, and Joey Scandizzo, who brought the Shark Beauty Style Salon to life at Carriageworks. The immersive pop-up offered Fashion Week guests complimentary styling appointments – from sleek, glossy blowouts to sculptural updos – showcasing Shark’s mission to make pro-level hair styling accessible to all hairkind.
Follow @sharkbeautyau on Instagram and TikTok to relive the week’s best looks, and visit sharkclean.co.nz to shop the tools making backstage beauty magic happen.