When Selling Pricey Jewelry, Hair Had Better Look Good Too

The Paris couture shows often do it. In the United States, Rodarte certainly does it. Just the other day,  Rodarte showed a few of its looks early, before New York Fashion Week, and the fashion house made sure that the models’ hair – already under the influence of a curling iron – was topped with lace, beads and plenty of flowers, which have become something of a Rodarte trademark. Alexis Mabille sent hid models down the runway in Paris with a close-fitting cap of cartoonish flowers. But flowers they were.

Rodarte’s show in Pasadena preceding New York Fashion Week.

It’s hard to ignore the message. As Richardson’s of Medford, New Jersey, put it on their blog, “For the past few years we’ve seen one classic hair trend that will seemingly last forever.”

That is the outsize, exaggerated, gorgeous, sometimes insane floral hairpieces.

As Richardson’s puts it, perhaps hopefully: “The trend is making its way down from the runways and into the hallways for formals, dances and proms. Adding flowers to any hairstyle adds a pop of color, a touch of class or a trendy edge to any look. Whether your formal look is glam couture, or laid back and casual, it can fit into your evening style.”

One hair stylist in Paris who is responsible for some of the most fashionable runway looks is Guido Palau of Redken. He’s the one who teased Gigi Hadid’s hair to Veruschka-size for Versace last year. He knows, however, that adding a lovely flower to the nape of the neck with a simple casually tied-back hair-do is both elegant and winsome. It invites a nuzzle, while most runway displays suggest someone run away.

Look by Guido Palau of Redken

With so much attention to Meghan Markle’s wardrobe of fascinators, those barely-there hats that young lady members of the royal family wear these days instead of a “proper” hat, many Americans have learned how charming a little chapeau can be. One step less than a fascinator is a flower.

When the translation comes off the runway, however, it risks getting corny. Palau above is elegant. Do it wrong, and it’s Carmen. And let’s agree no one over the age of 4 should wear a flower crown, unless they are naked, at Coachella or Burning Man. It is, however, the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, so who knows? This is one look Richardson’s proposes.

That is a little closer to the one adopted by brides who chose to twist a few wisps of baby’s breath into their hair instead of wearing a veil. Molly Guy, who runs a trendy bridal shop in New York told The New York Times that her clients “can barely stomach the idea of wearing a white dress, let alone a veil.” The average age of a first-time bride in the United States these days is 27.5. Perhaps she is reluctant to walk down an aisle shrouded like a woman in chador, or having a man lifting her veil as if he is unwrapping a Christmas present. Or maybe she would just rather let people see her hair.

Flowers don’t have to be shy baby’s breath. They can be dramatic, deep-colored anemone in purple and pink wrapped around a chignon, rose buds, or full-blown roses. There can be sweet peas, with their beautiful tendrils softly trailing through loose waves of hair. Just don’t try anything too dramatic – no calla lilies, palm fronds or sunflowers. Leave those things for the fashion runway.

But we certainly can enjoy the runway looks.  Adventurine showcases the best looks in jewelry as evidenced by Reza where hair becomes a gorgeous accessory to spectacular jewels.

Again, we look at these shows for inspiration and then interpret the looks for our own tastes and style.

You can also take a look at a few ideas here that  Cosmo rounded up for when you are not on the runway, and perhaps at a special event. Or this guide on how to where flowers in your hair for a wedding.