New York has set the fashionable tone of the season for the rest of 2019, as other international runways already start to follow suit. We’re looking back at some of the brands, trends and salon-ready hair looks that defined NYFW for Autumn Winter 2019. Amidst crazes that saw adornments and jewels walk the runway, were some must-see up-styles, bold wigs and hair pieces and wearable looks you can take back to your salon right now.
Hear from some of the hair directors themselves and let us know which looks you love.
ghd and Wella Professionals for Jeremy Scott
Hair legend Eugene Souleiman created an asymmetrical, monochromatic look for Jeremy Scott, anchored by short, straight black wigs. The looks were inspired by the themes of the collection, in its monochromatic palette, the use of asymmetry and the manipulation of materials. Eugene cut short black wigs haphazardly to give an asymmetrical appearance, while covering the roots with thick, white ‘paint,’ brushed roughly through the lengths. As such, the look was made to disrupt.
Wella Professionals for Zimmerman
Australia’s own Renya Xydis led the hair styling backstage for a Zimmerman show that captured a mood of secrecy and excitement, with enticing escapades shown through outerwear including buttery leather trench coats, hooded anoraks and bomber jackets in coated, bonded drill with camouflage colours of sand, okra and mahogany. Military and aviation influences also motivated the utility designs.
“The show, named EYE SPY was a covert mix of sexy and provocative meet’s French-girl spy,” Renya said. “She is mysterious, beautiful and modestly professional. We created this in the hair style by setting a vintage-style side parting and a modernised take on the classic ‘finger wave’. Where finger waves are classically tight and slick, we added texture and movement here to speak Zimmermann’s trademark of effortless glamour.”
R+Co for Anna Sui
Styling the Poptimism collection, which uses 60s patterns, loud prints and even touches of feathers, R+Co co-founder Garren created a pop look to suit the collection.
“It’s called lady goes punk. The clothing was very lady-like, while we made the hair have this contradictory Motown feeling,” Garren said. “We took the hair the complete opposite direction of the clothes by going punk and incorporating multiple colored wigs in pink, lavender, blue, turquoise, green and purple.”
Aveda for Hellesy
With hair direction led by Aveda guest artist Jon Reyman of Spoke & Weal salons, a modern French girl chignon with a centre part was a wearable, glamorous hair brief for Hellesy. The finished look pulled some loose strands from the bun to ensure imperfection, with the brand’s Volumizing Tonic and Air Control products acting as hero tools.
Moroccanoil for Veronica Beard
“This look was inspired by a city-chic woman who has been dropped in the middle of the woods,” said Kevin Hughes, Moroccanoil Artistic Director. “The hair is meant to embrace each woman’s natural texture – straight, wavy or curly.”
Oribe for Chromat
The vibrant, tropical vibe of Miami was the aesthetic for Chromat AW19, and Oribe Director of Training & Content, Kien Hoang, complemented the show with hair looks inspired by facets of the ocean. Wet, slicked-back hair and long braids accessorised by tropical flowers and recycled plastic bottles made a statement about climate change and the fashion industry’s role in this global emergency.
Moroccanoil for The Blonds
Mega-stars such as Lil’ Kim and Paris Hilton walked the runway for the Blonds, with disco-inspired hair and fashion guiding them down the catwalk. “Tonight’s look was inspired by Disco, gangster with a dash of Jerry Hall,” confirmed Kevin Hughes, Moroccanoil Artistic Director. “The hair is glamour mixed with androgyny that only The Blonds can deliver!”
Aveda for Yajun
Jon Reyman created two looks for Yajun, juxtaposing a slicked-back look with plenty of height and texture with a sleek, centre-parted, fringed look.
“The designers love that wet, shiny, lived-in look,” Jon said. “We used that direction to create two graphic, strong styles to complement their autumn/winter collection. The juxtaposition of these looks is so exciting, I love that we did sleek and straight and then bold and textured. The overall look is unique and edgy, really complementing the pieces in this collection.”
evo for Collina Strada
“The Collina Strada hair look was all about 70s nomad vibes. Think of the runaways… and that glam rock feel. For me, I wanted the looks to have that super lived-in, piecey, texture,” said Gareth Bromell, evo hair global ambassador.
ghd for Dion Lee
“When it came to creating the hair looks, I didn’t really think about the collection… I thought about the girl who would be wearing those clothes… who the collection was designed for… that was my inspiration,” Eugene Souleiman said. The resulting look walked the line between toughness, coolness and elegance, with a refined hair style that was deceptively complex. The ‘bun with a twist’ look was deliberately off-centre, with comb mark details for added masculinity.
Which NYFW AW19 look is your favourite?
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