If SS26 was about polish and playfulness, AW26 turns inward – embracing narrative, contrast and character-led styling. This season, hair became an extension of storytelling on the runway, reflecting themes of travel, heritage, control, rebellion and romanticism.
From weather-beaten texture at Simone Rocha to ultra-glossed precision at Chet Lo, the mood backstage balanced rawness with refinement. Some designers leaned into exaggerated reality – wind-swept lengths, matte finishes and organic imperfection – while others embraced sculptural structure, architectural chignons and glass-like shine.
Across the week, one theme was clear: AW26 hair is intentional. Whether softly dishevelled or tightly controlled, every look served a purpose – enhancing silhouette, echoing inspiration and amplifying individuality.
Here are the standout hair moments from London Fashion Week AW26.
Sebastian Professional x Simone Rocha
Hair led by Anthony Turner
Anthony explained that inspiration for the hair came from the photographer Perry Ogden’s book ‘Pony Kids’. “We wanted an exaggerated sense of reality in the hair,” he said.
Longer hair looked weathered and wind-beaten, to reflect the narrative of going from one place to the next – or something that once was and no longer is. Meanwhile, shorter hair was brushed and rearranged to reflect travel on horseback, with mistakes within the hair demonstrating the power and control of the elements.
Hero products: Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray Gel, Texture Maker Spray, Dynamic+ Dry Shampoo
TONI&GUY x Paul Costelloe
Hair led by Cos Sakkas
TONI&GUY Global Creative Director Cos Sakkas lead the TONI&GUY Session Team in creating a look that mirrored William Costelloe’s powerful, tailoring-led debut with sleek precision and controlled structure.
Hair was smoothed to a high-shine finish and drawn into a low, sculpted chignon at the nape, creating an architectural silhouette that complemented the collection’s polished and purposeful aesthetic.
Hero Product: LABEL.M Fashion Edition Hairspray
KEVIN.MURPHY x Erdem
Hair led by Eugene Souleiman, KEVIN.MURPHY’s Pro Ambassador
Eugene’s approach to the hair rejected uniformity in favour of individuality – each model styled to feel like herself, not a version of someone else.
“It wasn’t about imposing a look – it was about taking her natural texture and pushing it forward,” Eugene explained. The result was romantic yet grounded, wispy yet deliberate.
Hero products: KEVIN.MURPHY ANTI.GRAVITY, KEVIN.MURPHY POWDER.PUFF
Bumble and bumble x FASHION EAST
Hair led by Lachlan Mackie
Hair at FASHION EAST’s Louis Mayhew presentation drew on the raw, organic textures of the natural world. Reflecting the deconstructed nature of the collection, created using found objects gathered during his explorations, the hair was designed to appear lived-in. Driftwood was tied into selected looks, while matte, clay-like finishes referenced coastal cliffs and weathered formations – visualising the model being lost in the woods, only to emerge looking wonderfully dishevelled.
Hero products: Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray, Surf Spray, High Drama Styling Foam, Pret a Powder
Authentic Beauty Concept x Chet Lo
Hair led by Anna Cofone
Hair at Chet Lo embraced precision – ultra-glossed glass hair inspired by Peking Opera headdresses, punctuated with sculptural feather accents. Anna predicts we’ll see a resurgence of glass-like, ultra-straight hair following seasons dominated by larger, more natural textures - a return to control, refinement and high-shine.
Hero product: Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Spray Serum
TONI&GUY x Tolu Coker
Hair led by Efi Davies
Taking inspiration from Tolu’s journey, TONI&GUY International Artistic Director and British Hairdresser of the Year, Efi Davies was inspired by the 90s. Both a beautiful, banded flicked bob with structure, as well as a structured low ponytail, were showcased on the runway.
Hero product: LABEL.M Fashion Edition Hairspray
TONI&GUY x Maximillion Raynor
Hair led by Cos Sakkas
Cos created a look inspired by Victorian London romance, with structured side rolls and long, spiralled lengths that felt both proper and poetic. A sculpted bow shape sat at the crown, like a ribbon tied around a gift, in a fashion that looked refined, deliberate and a little dramatic.
Hero product: LABEL.M Fashion Edition Texturising Volume Spray
Olivia Garden x Pauline Dujancourt
Hair led by Anna Cofone
Pauline was inspired by the story of witchcraft throughout history; how women were controlled and restricted. This behaviour was reflected in the hair, with small silhouettes at the front and sides created to showcase conformity. Through the back, and from a side profile, the hair looked matte and messed-up – a representation of women breaking free from control.
Hero tools: Expert Care Oval, Essential Style Blend
Ella Fisher x Phoebe English
Hair led by Ella Fisher
With the hair, Ella homed in on natural texture that felt authentically lived-in, but still retained a professional touch, while nonchalant movement reflected silhouette’s seen in the clothes.
