NYFW 2023: Backstage with Oribe

If the only thing you think about it fashion when you hear Fashion Week, then don’t worry, you’re not alone. But I’m here to tell you a little secret – hair is kind of a big deal at NYFW too.

This season at the 2023 New York Fashion Week, I hit a whole bunch of shows and saw what designers and fashion trendsetters were forecasting for the upcoming year. But I also saw what the movers and shakers are saying will take to the streets for hair.

Oribe was everywhere this year, and by everywhere, I mean backstage styling the runway looks root to tip. I got the inside scoop at Head of State and Markarian and let me too you something, it is wild.

I mean you can tell from the pics that the hair at these fashion shows were at center stage as the clothing. For his 2023 Collection entitled Memories of Home, Taofeek Abijako, designer of Head of State invited us to retrace his father’s journey to and from home by exploring the sensations of space, displacement,  and movement.

With visual language that jumps off the runway, each garment references the architecture of Lagos, the oceans his family has crossed, and the West African silhouettes. That’s where hair comes in, Oribe created braided looks that draped floor length, and although braids are nothing new, Oribe reimagined them in sculptural form. Mirroring the collection to tell the story of movement and, the plaits embodied the homage to Abijako’s hometown.

Oribe was also the hair-styling brilliance behind Ulla Johnson and Tia Adeola. For Markarian, designer Alexandra O’Neill put together a collection of pretty, sparkly, ethereal, party clothes for the twenty-something, quintessential party girl. Elegant and not-so-far-away in my memory, the looks felt nostalgic and spot-on.

Silky fabrics, paillettes, and geometric shapes, it felt Art Deco but also 70s – I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I absolutely loved it. A renewal of spring motifs and a balance of art and nature, Markarian was pretty on the nose about a spring/summer collection and it felt totally wearable. Way too many, #havetohaveit moments.

Models adorned in jeweled garments, the hair was a focal point of the goddess-like Manhattanite beauties that strutted the runway. A perfect finishing touch to make it feel like I was watching more of a film than a fashion show.

Oribe Global Artist Mandee Tauber brought the Renaissance to life for Markarian and I was just so happy to have an up-close and personal look at the spectacular hair styles I will recreate.