VIV Says: Blog

Aveda lead stylist Odile Gilbert created a chignon for Jason Wu's fall 2010 show.

Fashion Week is all about the clothing, but we also love seeing the hairstyles the models sport for each show. (Our own hair during Fashion Week was a bit damper than we would have liked, thanks to wet snow blanketing New York City.) Luckily, the hair gurus at Aveda invited us to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the runway looks created by legendary French stylist Odile Gilbert and Antoinette Beenders, global style director for Aveda.

While youthful looks were the focus of Aveda’s styling for Organic by John Patrick, Sophie Théallet and Rodarte, we were especially inspired by the sophisticated updos on display at Christian Siriano and Jason Wu. At the Siriano show, 1960s Parisian glamour informed Beenders’ wave updo, a chic nod to Veronica Lake that was meant to complement the romantic silhouettes and structured coats and cocktail dresses in Siriano’s fall 2010 collection.

To adapt the look for a night out on the town, Beenders recommends blow-drying hair smooth, then curling it in one-inch pieces to help create volume. Brush curls through, spraying with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray ($24) for workable hold. Pull hair back tightly and wind it into a twist, pinning it against the head with bobby pins. “Finish the look by backcombing the front section of hair, brushing it through and twisting it back,” Beenders says. “Pin in place to create ultra-volume and a glamorous, retro effect.”

For a more relaxed, everyday ‘do, we plan to try the flat chignon flaunted at Wu’s show. Wu and Gilbert were inspired by Holly Hunter’s beach scene in The Piano. “It’s very young and innocent, with a clean part and loose hair in front — yet there is an element of sophistication with the braided chignon,” Gilbert says. “The look is soft and romantic.” Check out the backstage footage and instructions that follow to create the look at home.

1. Prep damp hair with Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener ($21) for added shine and straightness, and blow-dry smooth with a flat brush.

2. Use a comb to create a clean part — either in the center or wherever hair parts naturally. Then pull hair into a loose ponytail at the nape of the neck, allowing hair on either side of the ponytail to cover the ears and rest at chin length. Spray with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray.

3. Wrap a 10-inch bungee elastic around the ponytail, crisscrossing it from top to bottom to create a braidlike pattern. Tie securely at the bottom and set with hair spray.

4. Wrap the faux braid into a flat chignon at the back of the head and secure with hair pins.

5. Allow a few loose pieces of hair to fall naturally around the face. The sides should be loose and romantic while the chignon is more tightly secured in place. Finish the look with spray for lightweight hold.

In addition to coming up with fresh hairstyles, all of the designers who partnered with Aveda incorporated eco-friendly practices, such as replacing bottled water with tap water in Earthlust bottles, eschewing fur and serving organic, locally sourced food backstage. Aveda Catwalks for Water teamed up with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to provide tap water at six locations during Fashion Week.

We loved the eco-conscious theme and inspiring looks. Do you think you’ll re-create any Fashion Week coifs?