Hair styling trends for autumn/winter 2011: plaits

Plaiting prevailed as a dominant trend on this season's catwalks, proving its versatility, with stylists creating a mix of styles using the technique. 

Wide plaits hung from the nape down the back for Mara Hoffman's show; playful pigtails swung at the side of the head for styles with real youth appeal at PPQ, dominating the front of the head for a contemporary take on the technique at John Rocha; and elsewhere, tightly plaited hair was pinned to the back of the head for deliberately dishevelled updos, 

Plaits were far from frumpy on the Autumn/Winter catwalks, creatively complementing the diverse mix of fashion.

The TIGI creative team created fresh, light looks with an element of fantasy.

1. Prep hair with Catwalk Curlesque Lightweight mousse to add volume.

2. Section hair in two from ear to ear.

3. Braid the front section across the hairline and pin it at the ear.

4. Gently backbrush the back section to add texture and volume.

5. Apply plaited hair pieces to the front of the head, then wrap loose hair from the back section around the piece and pin it into place.

Odile Gilbert created a beautifully windswept style for the Rodarte show. 

1. Apply styling foam to damp hair and blow-dry, scrunching for texture. Create a left side parting by hand. 

2. When hair is partially dry, take a 2in piece from the front-right side of the hair at the hairline and twist it so that it swoops over the right eye. Secure above the right ear. Finish drying the hair.  

4. Release the pin from above the right ear and release side-swept hair. Spray with hairspray for flexible hold and blow-dry.

5. Gather all the hair on the right shoulder. Take a 2in section from the hairline on the back-left side of the head and gently twist it while pulling it over to the right side of the head at the ear.

6. Pull a 2in section of hair from the hairline in front of the right ear and twist with the section pulled from the back to create a small, 2-3in herringbone braid. Secure with a clear elastic.

7. Tie the section of hair coming from the clear elastic into small knots, concealing the elastic and adding texture to the look.

8. Pull the ultra-textured section of hair from the front and drape it over the right eye. Tuck the ends of that front piece between the braid and the hair that is down, and secure on the right side at the ear. 

Sam Burnett and the Rush artistic team created Gothic hair with a veil-like effect to complement the black lace clothing.

1. Blow-dry hair straight, and brush back from a centre parting.

2. Starting from the front, twist the hair at each side and roll up to form a tight horizontal ledge across the back.

3. Weave together two fishtail hairpieces and intertwine some contrasting ash colours to create a lace effect.

4. Place the hairpieces on top of the head to create a veil over the eyes.

Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck juxtaposed varying textures using plaits and ponytails.

1. Take a centre parting and then a perfectly central, half-inch wide scissor-section.

2. Plait hair using an inside-out plaiting technique, so that the plait sits on the head, creating a spinal effect.

3. Straighten the remaining hair. Scrape into a low ponytail and secure at the nape.

4. Straighten the length of the ponytail.

5. Coat hair in gloss and apply heat using a wig-cap for a seamless, glossy finish.