FALL 2013 HAIR TREND REPORT

As is so often the case in fashion and in life, the fall runways were a study in contrasts. Hairstylists everywhere breathed a sigh of job-security-inspired-relief to finally see hair that was actually done: Riotous volume at Marc by Marc Jacobs, punk pin-curls at Givenchy, and princessy plaits at Rodarte. Real women were simultaneously reassured by the simple elegance of messy low ponys at Oscar de la Renta, easy texture at Proenza Schouler, and barely-there waves at Pucci. Those of us who like a little surprise looked to Anna Sui’s over-the-top updos (visible only from the back) or Rag & Bone’s insta-bangs, created with a clever side part—no scissors in sight. This season, there’s something for everyone.

Low Pony's, 3 Ways:
As we reported, spring ponytails were positioned at the nape and ironed to emphasize their sleekness. For fall, the position stayed put but textures differed. At Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, Richard Chai Love and Rachel Zoe, pieces were pulled down around the face or tucked behind the ears to emphasize the style. While at Chloé and John Galliano, the hair was swept back and sharply parted. Stylists at Ralph Lauren and Moschino, on the other hand, created girlish, bouncier versions.

Side Faux Bangs:

Why make the commitment of full-on bangs when a simple part can give you a believable (and beautiful) approximation? At Rag & Bone (left), Redken creative consultant Guido said, “creating the low side part and sweeping the hair over the forehead gives the tom-boyish style a feminine feel." Models at Dries Van Noten and Marni had similarly wispy fringe; versions at Reem Acra and Tracy Reese were thicker, as bobby pins tucked behind the ears held chunky sections of hair in place.

Udone Texture:There’s something strangely alluring about unfussy hair. To create the look at Proenza Schouler (picture), Fekkai stylist Paul Hanlon blew hair dry with a diffuser, gently twisting sections with his fingers for an ever-so-subtle wave. (A brush would have lent too much polish.) “The hair wasn’t too considered. It’s an effortless cool,” he says. The story was the same at Helmut Lang, Altuzarra, Vera Wang, and Yigal Azrouel: Simplicity rules.

Braids Revisited:There’s nothing new about a braid. Just ask Guido, who created this ultra-clean version at Valentino. “I've done a side braid before, but it was always sexier, like at Alexander Wang a few years ago. This one is more minimal," he says. Other stylists’ added their own unique twists (or should we say plaits?). At Rodarte, Odile Gilbert, working with John Frieda, connected tiny princess braids into a sweet rosette, while at Badgley Mischka, Peter Gray tried a reverse French. At Fendi models’ sported ropey, inside-out versions, and at Christian Siriano, Aveda stylist Antoinette Beenders wove together two inverted fishtails.

xox