Hair trends shifted dramatically at New York Fashion Week for the spring/summer season, moving away from minimalist styles toward high-volume textures, crimps, and romantic updos, according to industry reports. Stylists backstage utilized specific techniques and tools to bring back voluminous looks, departing from the slicked-back middle parts that dominated previous seasons.
Crimps and Creases Return to Runways
Stylists incorporated crimps, dents, and creases into strands across multiple designer shows, according to beauty reporting from ELLE. At the Christian Cowan show, celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan placed small crimped strands into a low, messy bun. Designer Joey George added a large dent around the crown at Area, while Lacy Redway created alternating stripes of thick crimps and pin-straight strands for Christian Siriano. Redway told ELLE backstage that the goal is to reintroduce crimps with a strong, polished, and shiny finish.
Romantic Updos and Slip Knots
Slicked-back hairstyles gave way to whimsical, goddess-like updos featuring wavy tendrils and loose buns. Celebrity hairstylist Glen Coco described the look backstage at Alice + Olivia as having an undone, effortless texture. Meanwhile, the Cult Gaia show featured single slip knots created without hair ties by stylist Karim Belghiran, who aimed for a dream-like, delicate finish. Justine Marjan also utilized soft bends and imperfect low knots at Christian Cowan to achieve a nostalgic yet rebellious look.
High-Volume Texture and Teased Hair
The upcoming season marks a broader return to unapologetically big hair and teased texture reminiscent of the 1980s. For Collina Strada, hairstylist Eugene Souleiman drew inspiration from the film A Knight’s Tale to construct gravity-defying styles using deadstock fabric from the atelier, incorporating double mohawks and contrasting textures. At LaQuan Smith, the trend appeared in more wearable blowouts and updos featuring dramatic lift at the roots, according to backend coverage.
Sweeping Side Parts
Sleek and straight middle parts receded as side parts appeared across numerous hairstyles on the runway. Private Policy applied side parts to sleek blowouts and blunt bobs, while Luar featured side-parted, slicked-back buns and wet looks. At Carolina Herrera, stylists paired bouncy curls and voluminous blowouts with swooping side parts that evoked Old Hollywood glamour, according to fashion reporting.