In the whirlwind world of fashion shows, the unexpected can strike at any moment. Two days before Altuzarra’s much-anticipated SS24 collection was set to grace the runway, a creative hiccup emerged in the hair department. Jawara, the lead hair stylist for the show, recognized that the initially planned hair looks were not aligning with the vision for the collection. In a backstage revelation, Jawara shared, “We were trying to make it all about big hair, but then we realized that the clothes were so smart and intellectual, so we wanted to pull back the hair so the overall look didn’t look too ‘lady.'”
With the clock ticking, Jawara made a swift decision to pivot towards a sleek yet undone aesthetic. He recounted the pivotal moment: “While we were doing a test [for the show], one of the models walked in with a messy knot she did herself, and we fell in love with the idea of doing that but making it a bit more intentional.” The entire initial plan was scrapped, and inspiration was drawn from the spontaneous knot that had captured their imaginations. “We wanted the hair to have a bit of ease,” Jawara emphasized.
The runway showcased a range of undone hairstyles that embodied this newfound direction. Models sported unfinished knotted buns, cornrows, and loosely tied knots, each tailored to their unique hair texture. Achieving the deliberately unfinished style required an arsenal of products to create a gritty, lived-in feel. Jawara and his team relied on Fekkai’s Clean Stylers Root Lift Volumizing Spray and Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray to perfect the look.
Complementing the pared-back hair, the makeup look for the Altuzarra show embraced simplicity and natural beauty. A selection of Aesop products took center stage, working to hydrate and plump the skin. Among the key products used were Aesop’s Lucent Facial Concentrate and Sublime Night Replenishing Masque. The makeup, designed to achieve a dewy complexion, embraced a less-is-more philosophy. Lead makeup artist Diane Kendal employed Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer for a natural base, enhancing the eyes with Caviar Stick Eye Shadow Matte in Café Noir, Cobblestone, and Midnight Blue. A subtle touch of color on the cheeks and lips completed the fresh and understated look.
