Michiko Hughes & Clifton Piper

Published: 3:55PM Wednesday April 22, 2009

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Michiko Hughes & Clifton Piper (Source: ONE News)

Source: ONE NewsTVNZ stylists Michiko Hughes and Clifton Piper

Michiko Hughes
An industry expert in the world of television and fashion styling, Michiko Hughes is TVNZ's stylist to the stars.

Michiko worked in Australia for several years as a stylist at Network Ten, before becoming the wardrobe and makeup supervisor for Australian Idol and the ARIA music awards.

She has styled many high profile celebrities in both Australia and New Zealand and has created many looks for red-carpet events.

Now back in Auckland, Michiko is TVNZ's head of wardrobe and makeup.

"The key is that I really love what I do," Michiko says.

"I enjoy making people look their very best. Sometimes it only takes a couple of 'tweaks' here and there and 'upping the glam factor' a couple of notches to make someone look a million bucks.

"It's so rewarding to be able to make people feel confident about their look and just make them feel great.

"Fashion is fun, but can be frivolous! While I love a good trend, they often aren't for most people. Good style is about finding what works the best for you and owning that look, that's really important."

Clifton Piper
Clifton is TVNZ's News Stylist and one half of the network's style team along with Michiko Hughes.

The 'dynamic duo' are responsible for the wardrobe and overall look of TVNZ presenters and reporters.

"I love it. I love making people look great; its so satisfying," says Clifton.

"Styling for news has a very strict aesthetic, a very set look to it. But you also want to make it accessible. What they wear and how they look needs to work without distracting viewers from the story. It needs to look impeccable without being alienating."

Clifton began his career in Sydney 12 years ago; first cutting hair, then moving into hair direction at some of the city's premier salons.

But he realised hair was only half the look. Clifton decided to go into makeup and styling as well - working in magazines, events and fashion shows as a freelance session stylist.

Since work brought Clifton to Auckland five years ago he's fallen in love with the television industry and become well known amongst its key people. He was brought onboard by TVNZ in 2008 to help refine the look of the network's best known faces.

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