Celebrities bring to life men's hair trends for 2012
Published
18th Dec 2012
by rachael
Today's male clients are more trend conscious than ever, thanks in part to the style-setting A-listers who bring to life catwalk trends in an approachable, accessible way.This year saw men's fashion in the UK elevated to even greater heights with the introduction of London Collections: Men - a week long celebration of male fashion in the heart of London.
And as celebrities continue to be inspired by the looks showcased both at the London men's collections and on the international runways, it's clear that being up-to-speed on the cutting edge of men's trends is more important than ever.
Here we take a look back at the men's hairstyles that shaped 2012:
Daniel Craig
In the year that saw Bond back to his best, Daniel Craig is the ideal brooding poster boy for the sleek and sharp trend.
Inspired in part by the lingering twenties influence, Daniel's look also has a hint of the sharp-suited Mad Men style.
Worn in a sharp side parting with short sides and length on top, styled in a swept-over finish, this look is classic gents styling at its very best and a non-scary way for clients to tackle an on-trend look.
Look to love: At the Berlin premiere of Skyfall, Daniel opted for sleek styling but without too much of a product-heavy finish, for a classically sharp gents look that would work for any red carpet occasion.
Michael Pitt
Arguably the most-referenced male look of the year, actor Michael Pitt has influenced a wealth of male cuts in 2012.
The Boardwalk Empire star showcased his trademark cut in the first series of HBO's 1920s epic - which aired in 2010 - but it was this year that his style really took off as a style influencing the high street.
Undercut tightly on both sides with a sweep of long hair on top, this style can either be worn slicked back away from the face for a tough, punky feel or unstyled and centre-parted for nineties-style curtains.
Look to love: At the Critics Choice Awards, Michael styled his hair in a look virtually identical to that of his character, Jimmy. Slicked back with a wet-look finish in true gangster style, this look shows off Michael's fashion credentials as well as those amazing eyes.
Gary Barlow
Take That star turned TV talent show host, Gary Barlow is also a style icon in his own right.
The master of reinvention, Gary has gone from the less typically attractive member of Take That to total heartthrob.
And the makeover is largely thanks to that dapper, suave, sophisticated cut.
Taking this season's super-groomed twenties trend and giving it a softer finish, this update on the short back and sides is arguably one of the most copied looks on the high street.
Wearable, easy to style and easy to grow out, this cut offers a discrete nod to catwalk trends without the fashion victim on feel.
Look to love: At the Music Industry Trusts Awards, Gary embraced his grey with a hint of natural colour through the sides and his beard.
Robert Pattinson
The Twilight saga might be over, but Robert Pattinson remained an influence for male clients across the country throughout 2012.
His textured, dishevelled style may look more bedhead than barbershop, but this apparently effortless finish relies more on cut and product choice than laidback gents might like to think.
Once the cut is perfected and the styling products have been carefully chosen, the good news is that this look is relatively low-maintenance, and continues to look good as it grows out too.
Look to love: At the London premiere of Breaking Dawn, Robert's style was his trademark tousled lengths on top with shorter, sharper sides.
As he said goodbye to Edward Cullen - and perhaps goodbye to girlfriend Kristen Stewart too - Robert's look was confident, cool and slightly more clean-cut than usual.
David Beckham
David Beckham's reign as the king of men's hairdressing continues to go from strength to strength - even with the facial hair that divided a nation.
This year saw David enjoy even more of an increased presence on the world stage, with the Olympic Games and Queen's Jubilee giving him a prime spot at some of the most high-profile events of the year.
Look to love: For 2012, David's look has been increasingly 1940s-inspired with slicked-back longer-length hair and facial hair to match - most recently a Regent moustache.
Whether or not his facial hair will hold the same influence as his hair remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure - David is at the forefront of men's fashion.
Harry Styles
The One Direction womaniser isn't just a heartthrob for teen girls - he's also a style icon for fully-grown adults.
Almost single-handedly responsible for making curly hair and textured lengths a stylish option for teenage boys, Harry proves that natural hair doesn't have to be straightened or cut off to look cool.
Whether worn roughly textured or slightly tamed into a side parting, Harry's hair is the perfect match to those sparkling baby blues and his naughty-but-nice demeanour.
Look to love: A recent US television appearance saw Harry match his loosely-styled curls with a sharp grey suit and pink carnation for a true teen
idol look.
