Couture shows autumn/winter 2012: best hair looks
Published
06th Jul 2012
by rachael
Couture shows allow designers to show off their creative skills on a grand scale, putting on spectacular shows that celebrate the very best of their design talent.And, as with the prêt-à-porter shows, hair is the crowning glory to any couture - setting the mood for a look and enhancing the overall look.
As the Paris Couture shows come to a close, we take a look back at the best looks from the catwalks.
At Chanel, Sam McKnight topped off naturally-styled lengths with sparkling knitted snoods.
Sam told Vogue that the look was, "a natural middle-part with feathery wisps framing the face and escaping from the sides of a glittering snood, which held most of the hair."
"It was the simple yet dramatic way to finish off the New Vintage couture collection."
The elegant, vintage feel of the collection required something simple and sophisticated and this is the perfect interpretation of a modern Chanel look - who's going to be investing in a snood next season?
The 1920s influence lives on at Armani Privé, where models had their side-parted hair styled into snaking fingerwaves across the forehead.
A glistening, wet-look finish complemented the garconne feel, with hair sculpted into shape with a layered-on, product-heavy feel.
Models with long hair had their lengths secured into an intricate Geisha-style knot at the nape of the neck, with the same wet-look finish used right through to the ends.
As we get closer to the release of the latest Great Gatsby adaptation in December, the flapper look shows no sign of slowing down.
Although the wet-look finish of this look may be a bit much for the average client, a softer interpretation of the look would be the perfect party style for Winter 2012.
Super-sexy is usually the order of the day at Versace, and the couture show was no exception. Voluminous tumbling curls with a super-glossy finish and healthy, natural bounce are all Versace trademarks so no big surprise to see the look here.
A side-parting enables hair to fall over one eye for a sultry, modern-day Rita Hayworth feel.
This is hair is that feels glamorous, expensive and high-maintenance - just like a Versace girl should.
With the help of a few extensions, there can't be many clients that wouldn't love this look. It's the perfect base for vibrant, lustrous colour - high-octane glamour at its best.
Optimum condition is important for this look, with oils and weekly treatments a must-have.
Buns continue to be on-trend, with the classic top knot receiving a couture twist at Valentino.
Slicked back from the head with a smooth, shiny crown, hair was then wrapped around a donut into a slightly conical, carefully twisted style.
To keep the finished ballet-inspired look from feeling too slick or strict, a small wispy section was left loose above each ear to soften the overall finish.
Position is everything with this look - a low bun feels chic, sophisticated and discrete, whereas one worn high on the head in this dolly style feels youthful, glam and more evening-appropriate.
Perfect for pairing with a pair of knock-out earrings, the bun has transcended catwalk trends to become an ideal alternative evening updo.
Braids and plaits are another Autumn/Winter trend that we saw a lot of on the prêt-à-porter catwalks, but Elie Saab revisited the look for couture season.
Hair stylist Orlando Pita was responsible for the double French braids at the show, which combined slightly urban cornrows with an elegant updo.
Models hair was sectioned in two, from the crown to the nape, then tightly cornrowed in two plaits snaking from the centre of the forehead and back.
At the nape of the neck, hair was knotted together with an extra piece of pre-braided hair added to create a chic bun.
This kind of style is usually associated with the summer months, but it's a great alternative to a regular updo for events in the winter, as demonstrated here with the high-neck gown.
When hair accessories make a statement on the scale of Giambattista Valli's coloured veils, you could be forgiven for thinking that the hair itself takes a back seat.
However this transparent netting actually ensures all eyes are on the hair - any stray hairs would totally spoil the look.
For this couture look, hair was styled into a simple centre parting then swept back into a neat chignon at the nape of the neck.
The clean, sleek style was then covered with net veils in varying shades, selected to match the models gowns.
Although this veil may be a bit extreme for even the most fashion-forward bride, there's still something to be taken from this hair if clients will be incorporating a veil into their look - the hairline needs to perfectly clean.
All eyes were on the Dior show this season, as Raf Simons took charge of his first show for the esteemed fashion house.
Stripping back the designs to the bare bones of what makes couture beautiful, the show was simple, sophisticated and breathtakingly elegant.
With such paired-back style in the clothes, hair followed suit with a simple centre-parting and naturally-styled lengths.
Lengths were left fairly straight, with just a hint of natural movement through the lengths and ends.
Makeup made a striking impression, with punchy bright red lips and pastel green and white eyeliner giving the classic cat-eye a clean, modern update.
Natural was order of the day for Stephane Rolland too, with a slightly off-centre parting and naturally-textured lengths.
Arguably assisted with a few extensions to make the look more sultry bedhead than grungy texture, hair has a slight kink through the very lengths - not quite a wave, but just enough movement to add some interest.
The key to this look is definitely the volume throughout, which ensures the style still feels glam, despite the laid-back finish of the styling.
Achieve this long by using a wand through the mid-lengths of the hair, wrapping around just once or twice to add a 'kink' rather than a full on curl or wave.
Again, condition is key to this look so keep hair healthy and glossy with plenty of oils and treatments.
Alexis Mabille brought a bit of drama to the couture catwalks with an arching ponytail, accessorised at the tips with sparkling diamond accessories.
Hair is slicked up into a very high ponytail, with a firm-hold gel used to ensure there are absolutely no flyaways or frizz escaping from this style.
The ponytail is then tightly bound and twisted to create the curving shape, with a diamond accessory used on the ends to add a bit of sparkle.
Perhaps not a look for every day in the salon, but certainly one that could be adapted or reinterpreted for a more wearable look - I love the idea of a sparkling jewel on the very lengths of a ponytail, rather than at the base.
There were two looks on offer at Jean-Paul Gaultier - a volume-packed quiff and a slicked-back style, which also reflected the enduring influence of the flapper era.
Look one saw hair packed with mousse and blow-dried for volume, with some stealth back-combing used to create a beehive that Lana Del Rey would be proud of. Straightened, sleek ends and a cool matte finish complete the look.
The second look saw hair side-parted and slicked down for a super-smooth, wet-look finish. Once flat against the head, hair was topped off with a jewelled cap, fitting snugly over the top of the hair but showing through the side-parting and glossy finish.
