New York Fashion Week is shedding light on an emerging trend for the spring of 2024: the resurgence of hair ribbons as the “it” hair accessory of the season. While ballet-inspired aesthetics have been making waves throughout 2023, with the return of dainty flats and bow nail art, the hair ribbons showcased on the New York Fashion Week runways for Spring/Summer 2024 are redefining this classic look. Hairstylists are taking an inventive approach by weaving ribbons into various hairstyles, breaking away from the conventional practice of simply adding bows to buns, ponytails, and braids.
The beauty of hair ribbons lies in their versatility, as they complement a wide range of styles. At Christian Siriano’s runway show, some models sported sleek, straight hair with delicate blush pink ribbons discreetly woven into their locks. Meanwhile, Alice + Olivia featured a timeless ballerina bun adorned with a twist of crimson ribbon. This trend is rapidly gaining momentum and is likely to make a lasting impression this holiday season and well into the spring.
Below, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the hair ribbon styles unveiled at the NYFW Spring/Summer 2024 shows, along with the specific products used backstage to achieve these captivating looks.
Christian Siriano
Imagine if the “clean girl” decided to enroll in barre classes; one of Christian Siriano’s hairstyles would likely complete her ensemble perfectly. Lacy Redway, Unilever stylist, and celebrity hair artist, explained, “The moment I saw the softness of the color tones, the richness of the fabrication, and the beautiful layering of the tulle details of the gowns in Christian’s studio, I knew to best support the looks I had to keep the hair feeling soft with a ‘clean girl aesthetic,’ but put together like you would expect to see a ballerina fairy twirling down the runway.”
The first style featured sleek, glossy hair with equally shiny ribbon integrated into the under layers. Redway prepared the hair by applying TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray and Extra Hold Mousse at the roots. Once dry, she added Keratin Smooth Shine Serum to the ends for a lustrous finish. The second style, known as the “braided corset,” incorporated two Dutch braids with ribbon elegantly threaded through them, paying homage to the corset ballgown silhouettes prevalent in the collection. Redway relied on Extra Hold Hairspray and Extra Hold Gel to ensure the plaits remained secure.
Collina Strada
For Collina Strada, a beloved designer among the hip downtown New York alt-girls, the use of hair ribbons took on a different twist, unrelated to tutus or pointe shoes. Bumble and bumble global artistic ambassador Evanie Frausto added long, ethereal gauzy strands in white and black to the models’ bobs and braids. The lightweight fabric gracefully flowed in the breeze as the models strutted down the runway.
Alice + Olivia
Alice + Olivia’s presentation epitomized the concept of “ballerina after hours” with voluminous buns. Lead hairstylist Matthew Curtis and Sola Salons beauty professionals created a textured base for the updo using Living Proof’s Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray. Subsequently, the hair was divided into two rope braids and elegantly twisted up into the bun. White or red ribbons were wrapped at the base of the bun and tied into a bow on its underside, adding a touch of whimsical charm to the look.