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History of Façon

by | Aug 11, 2020 | Behind The Scenes, Façon Book Four, Façon Book One, Façon Book Three, Façon Book Two, Magazine

Behind The Scenes, Façon Book Four, Façon Book One, Façon Book Three, Façon Book Two, Magazine

façon
noun. [fa-sawn] . French and Russian.

Mode, méthode, fashion, trend.

 

Established in 2015, the essence of Façon was first created between the pages of a national glossy magazine of the same name. From the first issue of Façon Magazine, aptly titled Book One, we have loved featuring the creative flair unique to the Hunter region that appeals to lovers of fashion, beauty and lifestyle experiences on a national scale.

What started out as a fashion magazine celebrating Newcastle as a destination for luxury and high end experiences soon became Australia’s #1 independent fashion magazine. Working with a variety of brands and celebrities from Australian icons like Glomesh and Westfield to international powerhouses like Mercedes-Benz and Bally, we were able to support regional businesses and creative talent and prove that Newcastle had a culture of its own that could stand tall alongside other more metropolitan areas like Sydney and Melbourne.

Since the first issue of Façon Magazine, we have been able to expand and provide even more direct support for local talent and businesses with Façon Creative. “We keep evolving…” Lara Lupish, Founder and Editor at Façon, said, “…every time we do a shoot it thrills me.” Now with a team creating content for print, digital and social media campaigns for a variety of clients from internationally recognised brands to Newcastle icons and innovative start-ups, including Stockland, Tyrrell’s Wines, Rundle Tailoring, Hunter Plastic Surgery and Marketown.

Add to this the gala runway events that have launched past issues of the magazine, drawing over 300 guests and providing industry experience for regional artists, hair stylists, models and photographers.

As we embrace our future with the release of the Autumn/Winter 2020 Back To Origins issue of Façon Magazine, our first fully digital release, we also look back with gratitude and acknowledge the amazing experiences we’ve had in the past that have led to so many opportunities available to us today.

2015 – BOOK ONE

Taking it back to where it all began, Samantha Wills has supported us from the very start. “We started both as struggling artists in Sydney, she was making her jewellery and I had just moved from overseas,” Lara said, “She’s just an amazing girl…a muse for Façon.” Our first issue was a learning curve for everyone involved, but we knew we were onto something great.

2016 – BOOK TWO

As the first winner of Australia’s Next Top Model, Gemma Sanderson was a symbol for the talent present in regional areas, and the success they can achieve when given the opportunity. Shortly after her win, Gemma’s career blossomed as she continued to work overseas and gained an international career as a model in the UK and Europe.

2017 – BOOK THREE

“Everything about that cover was different.” Lara said, reminiscing of this shoot that pushed the boundaries and comfort zones of herself and all others involved. After winning the title of Miss Universe Australia in 2014, Tegan Martin quickly became a household name in the industry and in her hometown of Newcastle and beyond. Placing within the Top 10 of the Miss Universe Pageant that same year, the third cover of Façon was the perfect opportunity to showcase her beauty under a different, edgier light, and her versatility as a model. Receiving international fame from Miss Universe, it was a privilege to have her grace the cover of Façon and share that level of recognition with fellow Newcastle creatives.

2017 – BOOK FOUR

Having an Australian icon like Kate Richie grace our covers was yet another big moment, and we were so proud to have such a big star shooting on location in Port Stephens. “We just got to talking one day,” Lara said about the shoot, “It was something that just organically happened.” Having worked with Kate as a stylist for years, including an awarded cover for WHO’s Most Beautiful People, the pair were always looking for their next opportunity. The shoot became even more of a milestone by marking the first time Kate had worn a red lip in her life – letting us transform a girl-next-door Home and Away legend and Iconic Australian into a fashion bombshell.

2018 – THE NEWCASTLE STYLE ISSUE

The Newcastle Style Issue marked our pivot towards celebrating the Hunter as a regional location that provided all the luxury between our pages. As our returning cover star, Tegan Martin epitomised all Newcastle has to offer, from her upbringing as a born and raised Novocastrian to her national and international success as a model.

2019

AUTUMN/WINTER

Our Winter 2019 cover girl was the gorgeous Annalise McLachlan. Annalise was our gorgeous ambassador for the Face Of Façon model search in conjunction with Chic Management. As well as gracing our cover, Annalise was also in an editorial feature along with the inaugural winner of Face Of Façon, Chiara Voight. Annalise swiftly took Chiara under her wing and became a mentor during the shoot. It was amazing to see Annalise pass on advice not only as an international model, but also as a Newcastle local.

SPRING

As one of Australia’s modelling greats, Samantha Harris made ground-breaking strides both in and outside the fashion industry as an advocate for the rights of Indigenous Australians, from being only the second Indigenous woman to grace the cover of Vogue Australia at 18 years old to her work as the first female Indigenous ambassador for World Vision. It was an honour to have Sam as our cover star, her status as an icon bringing national recognition to the Hunter, showcasing the region’s creative talents and helping cultivate Newcastle’s status as a world-class destination for fashion and culture.

SUMMER

Working with Ricki-Lee for the Summer Style Issue was an absolute dream. “She’s a vibrant, infectious person,” Lara said, “She’s always fun.” Having worked as Ricki-Lee’s stylist for years prior to Façon, from music videos to Australia’s Got Talent, this cover was another one of those organic moments that grew from a blossoming professional relationship. Dressed in a sparkling gold gown from Melbourne-based designer Toni Maticevski, the Australian pop icon gave a luxe edge to a local icon, the Newcastle Baths.

NOW – BACK TO ORIGINS

We have gone from strength to strength over the years, and it is not without the brilliance of our collaborators and friends that Façon has continued to this day and be able to release our latest Autumn/Winter 2020 Digital Issue. Understanding this is why we’ve called this issue ‘Back To Origins’, as we champion regional businesses big and small that make this publication possible.

With the latest digital edition of Façon, we now feel more liberated than ever. “It gives us more flexibility,” Lara said, “We now have an international reach.” Our team is free to push the magazine format to its limits in digital form. As for any current or future clients and sponsors, we can show with even more accuracy the return on investment that comes from our collaborations. “We are showcasing not only what Newcastle can do for Newcastle, but even further…our international subscribers are going to see what we do.” Lara said.

And that is the most exciting part – as we grow, we can only strive to continue our support for the Hunter and its diverse range of creative minds. “My goal is to not only rebuild and morph Façon in 2020 and beyond, but to be a tool for all those industries that have taken a hit to change and grow and survive this.” Lara said.

 

Written by Nadene Budden

Covers of Book One and Two by Matt Briggs
Cover of Book Three by Christian Blanchard
Cover of Book Four by Peter Brew-Bevan
Cover of Summer 18 by Justin Aveling
Cover of Autumn/Winter 19, Spring 19 and Summer 19/20 by Myles Pritchard
Cover of Autumn/Winter 20 by Scott Ehler

CONTACT FAÇON

Façon Australia

@facon_au

@facon_creative

Façon Australia

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