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Fashion Week Diaries with Philipp Haug

March 29, 2023

Schwarzkopf Professional education ambassador, Philipp Haug, recently made his mark on the AW23 fashion week season, creating hair looks for shows both in New York and at home in London. We spoke to Philipp to learn all of the behind-the-scenes activity that went down on both sides of the Atlantic…

Kickstarting fashion month, Philipp headed to New York where he worked backstage as the hair lead for designer Malan Breton. “I’ve worked with Malan for a few years and have always loved his connection with people and fashion,” says Philipp. “His shows normally have a lot of models – it was 48 this season – so we needed a big team with big energy, and we had it! Schwarzkopf Professional turned up in force with a crazy talented crew of their US ambassadors to help create the hair looks for the collection of day, evening and red-carpet wear. The inspiration for the hair was 1920s vamp bobs with little details like fringes or soft waves that curve around the face.”

To get the look, Philipp turned to Schwarzkopf Professional’s essential backstage range, SESSION LABEL. “Most of the models had super long hair,” he explains, “So we created a faux-bob with a super low ponytail, pulling the hair down over the ears then sweeping it back towards the neck. From the front it looked like short hair, while from the back the hair appeared smooth and flat to the head. Great for the collars and ruffles on Malan’s clothes. Each look also had a little wave on one side, curving around the eyebrow and cheekbones.” 

“To prep each model’s hair before blow-drying we used The Mousse. You can spray it softly into the hair and then layer it up to get fantastic volume into the hair while keeping the shine. To secure the waves and the shape of the faux-bob we used The Flexible hairspray. This gives great hold but still allows the hair to move and remain soft to touch.”

Philipp was soon back in London, swapping the avenues of Manhattan for the Mayfair streets as he headed up the hair direction for the immersive Edeline Lee presentation, which took place in and around the Burlington Arcade. Featuring a cast of actors, dancers, models and musicians, the show was all about crafting characters, and each hair look was suitably personalised to represent the individual. 

“We really wanted to focus on each model’s unique features,” explains Philipp. “It was important for us to work with their natural textures and just enhance and strengthen their look a little. Edeline’s clothes are really beautiful, so we wanted to make the models look like the best version of themselves, with a slightly editorial edge.” 

To create this cool element, Philipp styled some models with hair tucked behind the ear, creating a tighter, flatter finish around the crown with textured lengths and ends. With so many diverse looks, the key products from SESSION LABEL were picked according to the individual, with The Definer used to enhance curls, The Salt for thickening waves and The Flexible used to finish every look. “I love this hairspray,” says Philipp. “It adds hold, but the hair remains touchable, cool and effortless.”

Philipp was supported on both sides of the Atlantic by a dedicated team of Schwarzkopf Professional stylists, providing an invaluable opportunity for hairdressers to gain experience backstage at fashion week. 

Kay Brady, national PPS manager and events UK and Ireland says: “It’s always a privilege to support our talented stylists with their fashion week shows and we loved seeing Philipp flex his creative skills this season in London and New York. As an additional benefit, these important events allow us to invite our wider salon community backstage to learn from an incredible session stylist and develop their styling skills. SESSION LABEL is the perfect partner for creating diverse looks on the catwalk, as well on set and, of course, in the salon!”     

To find out more about Philipp Haug and Haug London Haus, please visit https://www.hauglondon.com/ 

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