While hair and texture inevitably go together like air and breathing, there will always be new ways to explore and express this ageless synergy. LIS CREAGH runs through a quick comparison of what texture meant at Hair Expo, on the runways and on the street this current season. |
Expo stages
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The hair artist's mantra at Expo had to be ‘Stress to excess' – hair was worked into a frenzy with every possible gadget and goop. As long as there were a hundred plaits, a bigger bun with more back-combing, a choppier crimp or all of the above on the same head, it was good.
Colour was even used to enhance texture, either rock solid with shine for highlights or streaked in acid tones to add more depth. The ever-present choppy haircut gave textured layers to the few styles that managed to escape smooth, or hair pieces added extra shots of jagged length and colour. The products of choice were the tackiest gels, the stickiest sprays and the most extreme colours. |
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On the runways
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Stylists used texture to enhance rather than dominate this season. It was all about subtle, with a trend for matte finishes rather than high shine. There was a strong trend to recreate the classics, with very delicate use of texture to create movement or a defining shape. There were still buns and braids everywhere, but they were smaller and more feminine, less of a showpiece or work of art. And there was no crimping anywhere, rather more ‘couture' or hand-crafted textures, like twisting or uneven plaiting.
With
products, it was all about drying masses of mousse or spray into hair to
create a fluffy, fairy-floss sculpted web, or spray-in talcs and old-fashioned powdered looks for funky buns and long hair.
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On the street
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Here, texture ran – and continues to run – the full gamut. From Kylie Minogue's airy new bob, Scarlett Johansson's trademark waves and Elle Macpherson's windswept mane to all those punk-inspired hair groupies at Expo, there is only one given: texture rules.
In fact, there were virtually no sleek scalps anywhere to be seen in the Expo aisles. Maybe it was the hectic pace of modern life that prohibited really structured looks or the softness that comes with a bit of a wave. Or perhaps it was the youthful charm of a girly plait. Whatever it was and is that’s in the air, everyone is wearing texture: whether natural or kaleidoscopic, texture is certainly on the street.
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Our final assessment? Texture is everywhere, done in every way and unlikely to go away any time soon.
Want to see what HAIRDRESSERS wore at Expo? CLICK HERE.
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