Salt, Skin, and Silk: Inside Hansen & Gretel’s TIDE at AFW26

At Australian Fashion Week 2026, Hansen & Gretel delivered one of the standout moments of Day 2, unveiling TIDE, a collection shaped by the feeling of the ocean and memories of Australia’s South Coast. Effortlessly balancing the grounded and the elemental, the collection translated coastal textures into fluid silhouettes, from ombré silk gowns that echo shoreline sunsets to sun-washed denim detailed with shell-like finishes and painterly texture. Soft hibiscus prints and airy broderie brought a sense of nostalgia, while crystal embellishments captured the way light dances across water, shifting, reflective, alive.

Complementing the collection, Makeup Director Susan Lilian created a luminous, skin-first beauty look in partnership with Embryolisse. “Sunburnt cheeks and lips from enjoying the moment in the sun,” she explained, capturing a look that felt fresh, undone, and deeply connected to the show’s coastal narrative. For Lilian, what makes this approach feel current in 2026 is its intention, using beauty to amplify the story rather than distract from it.

Her process centres on preparation: layered hydration, facial massage to bring natural colour to the skin, and adapting products across skin types for a seamless finish. “Skincare is now just as important as makeup,” she notes, highlighting a broader shift toward ritual and longevity in beauty.

Part surf girl, part siren, TIDE is both nostalgic and modern, an ode to the shoreline and the enduring pull of the sea.

All Embryolisse products used are available online and in-store at Adore Beauty, Chemist Warehouse, and Myer.