Dressing up for a special occasion? opt for the Up-do by michaeljohn

Polished hair and Up-dos are all the craze at michaeljohn

Chanel Couture Hair:   Michaeljohn sees 25% increase in requests for up-dos since Sam McKnight's brilliant croissant bun

Along with my peers in France these few days for the Première Vision Paris exhibitions (a series of must-see events for all in the fashion, textile, design and related industries), croissants are undoubtedly on my breakfast menu.

Last month on Janurary 26^th, when Karl Lagerfeld sent his models down the catwalk for Haute Couture, their hair, executed by session stylist Sam McKnight, was the star attraction.

Dubbed "the croissant", these tightly and precisely constructed architectonic 1940s giant rolls at the back of the head, heralded in a new era of very chic, very polished, sculptural hair.

McKnight’s hair statement resonated far beyond the grounds of the Grand Palais where the collection was shown. 

"This season's Chanel hair was inspired by beautiful illustrations by Karl and a Picasso sculpture. The final look was a modern interpretation of sculptural forms and classic silhouettes which reflected the collection.” And here at michaeljohn it’s signalled the start of a bold new era of dressed hair, up-dos, bridal and special occasion styling. Since then there’s been a 25% increase in demand for up-dos in the salon and the stylists are all busy perfecting their own couture-inspired versions.  “Fashion has become much more sleek and elegant than it was before,” says Max Coles, michaeljohn’s Creative Director. “Very shiny hair has come back, very well done and very neat. Especially that last Chanel show everything was so sleek, so neat and so polished: it was beautiful. We try to recreate this kind of idea.”

The salon team offer all kinds of permutations of the Chanel Couture look as well as up-dos of all varieties, buns, and French plaits.  Coles confirm that the team are happy to teach clients how to execute these styles at home themselves.

“We can do pretty much everything.  If you remember going back to the past, Breakfast at Tiffany’s this kind of style, all the women were very dressed up and the hair as well, we’re going back to this, its very feminine and women feel great about it because they really stand out, instead of messy and casual and greasy looking.”

Bridal hair and special occasions – from cocktail parties to full on grand balls - offer a unique opportunity for women to go to the hairdresser beforehand and have a bespoke session tailoring their hair to make the perfect entrance. “We’re looking at trends going into evening and also wedding hair,” continues Jay Rapata Senior Artistic Director in the salon. “There’s been so much half up half down since the Royal Wedding so we are now seeing something a bit more dressed and that’s where the salon comes in.”

Colour is also key to the Chanel Couture look. “It was all the natural shades, particularly the brunettes,” says Debbie Bhowmik, Lead Signature Colourist at michaeljohn. “It’s a big departure from the ombre, the dip dye for a colourist its beautiful shiny hair and it kind of enhances what a client’s got.” The rise of the brunette, from the Duchess of Cambridge to Chanel Couture’s model of the moment Kendall Jenner is a phenomenon that Bhowmik is enthusiastic about. 

All photos supplied by michaeljohn.co.uk