Prepping for the 'cat' walk

M.A.C. makeup artist Amber D works on Ella's makeup for the shoot. Photo / Olivia Hemus

Fashion shoots can be a bit boring. Sure there are pretty clothes on the rack to flick through and a pretty model to look at and pretty makeup and hair (and there are definitely far less glamorous ways to spend a day), but they aren't as exciting as you may think.

However I visited a shoot at DFS Galleria last week that was much more exciting than usual - because there was a cat. Aw, cute. A beautiful male Russian Blue by the name of Misha Kidd (and New Zealand's Next Top Cat Model judge), who was being photographed as part of a shoot for NZ Fashion Week's official magazine, The Guide.

It was adorable, albeit a tad slower paced than usual for photographer Olivia Hemus - you can't instruct a cat to put her chin up - but Misha was incredibly regal and calm throughout.

But why was there a cat in the middle of a department store being photographed?

The shoot, which also features model of the moment Ella from Clyne Models, was showcasing an upcoming collection from M.A.C. that's inspired by cats. Called Fabulous Felines, it's set to come out in September.

M.A.C. makeup artist Amber D did Ella's gorgeous makeup - you can see the results of the shoot in The Guide, which comes out soon.

Unfortunately there was no sign of Zumi Reely, a "cat blogger" whose snarky fashion commentary on the blog Fashion Loaf is deliciously addictive.