Style Blog

Sophie Theallet, Ready To Wear Collection Fall Winter 2016 in New York

French designer Sophie Theallet heralded the power of individuality, celebrating the independence and personality of each of her 50 models, as much as the eclectic fashions—and hair styles courtesy of Keune Haircosmetics—that each wore down the runway to debut her Fall/Winter 2016 Collection at 20 Exchange Place during NYFW.

From naturally wild corkscrews to relaxed raven bobs and curly bleached crops, from honey-hued shaggy silhouettes to straight-out rocker chic, from fashionable silver strands to short boyish shapes to silky blonde society hair, the Keune team maximized each model’s own unique personal style.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and Sophie Theallet’s show was a veritable homage to that beautiful diversity. Models like Imaan Hammam, Lu Ping, Marga Esquivel, Adesuwa Aighewi, Veronica Webb and Candice Huffine were just a few examples of ethnic and body diversity.

“I love Sophie Theallet, because she and Keune share the passion to reveal True Beauty. Her collection is not just about the fashions; rather, it’s about the identity of the person wearing the clothing, including natural, organic hair and beautiful makeup,” explains Ilham Mestour, global creative artistic director for Keune, who led a hair design team of 15 Keune educators from across the United States and from the company’s headquarters in The Netherlands. “Rather than having all the models wearing the same hair as is common for many runway shows, for this collection, each model portrayed a beautiful tableau vivant (living picture) through an abundance of textures, colors, silhouettes and techniques in fabrics and in hair.

“We don’t go crazy with hair when working with a designer like Sophie Theallet,” continues Ilham. “However, don’t be fooled by the organic feel. We still must depend on our technique, skill and Keune products to create these beautiful, natural finishes.”

The Keune team relied on four products and their hands as their primary styling tools to bring out each model’s natural texture, beauty and identity:
Keune Design Salt Mist enhances natural texture and gives oomph to super-fine, straight hair. Mestour sprayed long hair with Salt Mist, twisted it, tied it into a bun and applied heat. Once cooled and released, the hair was perfectly, naturally bent. To get the look, use this same technique at home overnight, then unwrap in the morning for amazing texture.
Keune Design Press Wax helps create that perfect natural texture and body of second- or even third-day hair.
Keune Care Line Silkening Polish smooths natural curls, tames frizz and provides soft, natural shine and control.
Keune Design Volume Powder is perfect for getting the right volume for straight, wavy or curly hair.
“Making it to Fashion Week is a dream of almost every hairdresser, including me,” says Mestour, who has lived her dreams, styling hair for Fashion Weeks around the world. “Working with designers like Sophie Theallet is as exciting for veterans like me, as it is for first-timers. Every time, I come away more inspired by their new approaches and cultures.”

Adds Chris Sulimay, Keune’s Academy and technical director, “This season, we brought a different team to New York Fashion Week than we did last season, so more of our educators can experience their dreams of working backstage at New York Fashion Week—one of the most important hairstyling venues in the world.”

Not only did the team achieve their dreams, but they and Keune also enjoyed enormous exposure in the press and on social media.