Maxi Factor
It’s all about maximum length this season. Ultra girly, super-long locks were all over Fashion Week – worn loose (Bora Aksu; Molly Goddard), worn in pretty low-slung ponytails (Emilia Wickstead; Longchamp) and worn with uber-long braids (Dion Lee). Ultra long lengths are actually surprisingly easy to style – long locks left to air dry will usually take on a far better texture and finish than shorter styles that require more styling and maintenance, so I can appreciate how popular they are with clients. This look, from my Iconic collection demonstrates how incredibly dramatic long lengths can look when styled – the perfect addition to the Autumn/Winter 2020 season.
Current Buns
I just love the effortlessly stylish insouciance of a bun, and while they never truly go out of style – they’re arguably the epitome of off-duty model hair – this season they had a major Fashion Week moment. From Chocheng – where models’ hair and faces were partially covered with netting – and Blancore – where hair was rolled into messy buns with the remaining hair crimped, it was great to see them worn to contrast against the clothing. That for me demonstrates their inherent versatility, as well as their ability to transform the entire vibe of an outfit. It’s also great to see them looking increasingly more undone than ever. I created this messy undone bun for my Wink collection. It’s totally definitive of this trend: the defined centre parting gives it definition, while the nonchalance of the top knots looks like it could easily have been pulled together by the model herself, without a mirror. And it’s exactly this that makes this look so appealing to the masses. These buns look sexy and carefree yet give off a devil-may-care attitude, which for me, is the epitome of modern style.
Rough + Ready
This season, I loved hair that was truly wild at heart, with stand out shows for me Yohi Yamamoto (where haphazard pleats and Renaissance ruffles were the perfect pairing to hair that was braided and back-combed for an almost dreadlock quality and ‘just got out of bed’ style) and Christopher John Rogers (where hair was totally topiary!). My Hell Sexy collection (left) really takes texture to the extreme, while this look from my Iconic collection (right) showcases the more natural, wild vibe that I’m fully feeling this season. These looks are great for clients with naturally textured hair, as it encourages them to work with what nature gave them. They can also be as bold as they dare, and add plaits, as I’ve done, for some additional definition, or style using mousse and texture spray when they want to add some drama to their style.
Water Works
The wet-look trend – usually associated with the spring/summer season – showed no signs of waning for the approaching winter weather. My favourite takes on this trend this season were 16Arlington, where wet-look strands nonchalantly covered one side of the face, to break up the something to pout about berry-stained lips; Charlotte Knowles (think spikes of wet-look strands pulled from perfectly primped ponies) and Richard Malone, where military dandy-inspired locks reigned supreme. I created a look that perfectly defines this trend in my About a Girl collection (pictured). The natural texture and wet-look style screams chic, while nodding to the elements. Perfect this A/W20 season.
Pony Club
Simplicity took centre stage at a whole host of A/W20 shows, where low ponytails made a key style statement in truly understated, elegant style. Low ponies reigned supreme everywhere from Longchamp and Oscar De La Renta to Elie Saab and Caroline Herrera (the latter two both utilising polka-dot netting as its accoutrement of choice). I love this trend – it’s simple and understated, yet can be bold and beautiful at the same time, and simple tweaks – like the addition of braids – as showcased in my About a Girl collection means you can keep your more creative clients happy, too. Add an extra statement by using ribbons or bows to tie gently at the nape, and add flyaways for some new season oh la la.