THE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SS27 HAIR REPORT: CRIMPS, KNOTS AND BACKSTAGE SECRETS

A model’s hair being styled backstage at the Cult Gaia show at New York Fashion Week SS27

Photo credit: Getty/Dave Kotinsky

Runway hair has two equally important missions: look fabulous and survive the backstage chaos. At New York Fashion Week, every camera-ready look has to withstand lightning-quick outfit changes, sweltering backstage heat and the final dash to the runway, and then appear perfectly intentional under the lights.

The secret to giving runway hairstyles that kind of staying power is disarmingly simple. As hairstylist Justine Marjan explains: “Use hairspray! Most people are afraid to use hairspray, but it really does allow a hairstyle to have that long lasting memory. This is why I rely on TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray backstage and in real life.”

For Spring/Summer 2027, the biggest New York Fashion Week hair trends turned up the texture. Christian Cowan worked with lead hairstylist Justine Marjan to add crimps to undone knots, Christian Siriano and lead hairstylist Lacy Redway played with sleek ridges through glassy lengths and Cult Gaia teamed up with lead hairstylist Karim Belghiran to drop the ponytail low with an elongated knot. Here’s the full backstage breakdown, plus how to make each look work IRL.

Crimps Go Rogue at Christian Cowan

At Christian Cowan, Justine Marjan used crimping as a detail, slipping precise ridges into otherwise loose, lived-in hair. “Crimps are so back! I love a few crimped ends in a messy bun or through the ends like we did for the Christian Cowan show this season,” says Marjan.

The Siren Slipknot paired crimped sections with irregular bends and a low knot that looked moments away from coming undone. The Mermaid Messy Knot swept the hair upward into a more sculptural shape, while flyaways and textured pieces kept it from feeling overly polished.

Hairstylist Justine Marjan spraying TRESemmé Extra Hold hairspray backstage at New York Fashion Week

Photo credit: Getty/Dave Kotinsky

How to Create the Mermaid Messy Knot

The key phrase here is a few. This look gets its edge from selective crimping, not a full head of matching ridges.

Set aside a few narrow hair pieces around the face. Add crimps to short sections, leaving space between the ridges for a more irregular finish.
Work TRESemmé Extra Hold Gel through the remaining hair, then gather it upward and twist the lengths into a loose knot. Secure it with pins, allowing a few textured pieces and flyaways to escape.
Mist TRESemmé A-List Dry Texturizing Spray through the knot, then gently pull at selected sections to create grip, movement and deliberate imperfection.
Finish with TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray to help the sculptural shape stay put while maintaining its undone, effortless look.

The Enchanted Crimp Gets Glossy at Christian Siriano

Hairstylist Lacy Redway crimping a model’s hair backstage at Christian Siriano’s New York Fashion Week SS27 show

Photo credit: Getty/Dave Kotinsky

The rest of the hair remained sleek and straight. As the hair moved, the ridges flashed through the smooth lengths like accessories, giving the nostalgic technique a polished new look.

How to Create the Enchanted Crimp

Apply TRESemmé A-List All-In-One Style Primer to damp hair to hydrate, protect against heat and prepare it for styling. Create a center part, then distribute TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse throughout.
Blow-dry the hair smooth using a combination of flat and round brushes. Adapt your brush choice and technique to your hair type rather than forcing every texture into the same routine.
Mist selected sections with TRESemmé A-List Workable Hairspray, then press in ridges with a crimping iron. Vary their placement to keep the result artful and slightly lived in.
Use a brush to paint TRESemmé A-List Bonding Oil over the hair. This creates the high-shine, glass-like finish.
Secure everything with TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray, then add a final mist of TRESemmé A-List Lacquer Shine Spray for runway-level gloss.

For an easier everyday version, add one crimped band on either side of your face and leave the rest of the hair sleek. Think of the texture as your accessory. No barrette required.

The Infinite Knot Drops Low at Cult Gaia

The high ponytail can sit this season out. At Cult Gaia, lead hairstylist Karim Belghiran took the season’s low-slung mood to dramatic new lengths with the Infinite Knot, a style that landed somewhere between a ponytail and a sculptural chignon.

A New York Fashion Week model getting her hair styled backstage at Cult Gaia SS27

Photo credit: Getty/Dave Kotinsky

Hair was smoothed back and folded into a compact knot below the nape. Extensions created the exaggerated runway proportions, but the long tail served a purpose beyond drama. It kept the knot’s construction visible and gave the style its distinctive sense of movement.

Some models wore versions that were tight and architectural; others were softer. Paired with Cult Gaia’s sculptural hats and sharply fitted silhouettes, the result felt restrained, elegant and just a little equestrian.

How to Create the Infinite Knot

Apply TRESemmé Protecting Heat Styling Spray before reaching for any hot tools.
Blow-dry the hair while using your fingers to guide and smooth it. This creates polish without making the finished look feel too rigid.
Spray TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray into your hands, then run them over the hair to reduce frizz and refine the surface.
Form a low knot at the nape, leaving the remaining length free beneath it. Use a little TRESemmé A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray to add grip and help the knot retain its shape.
Smooth a small amount of TRESemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil through the ends for hydration and subtle shine.

The Backstage Rules Worth Stealing

For quick changes, sweat and humidity, Marjan relies on solid prep and flexible hold. “I love the TRESemmé A List All-In-One Style Primer to prep hair against frizz and humidity and the A-List Workable Hairspray for a soft flexible finish.”

Your at-home kit does not need its own rolling case, either. Asked which three products are worth having on hand, Marjan keeps the edit tight: “TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray, A-List Lacquer Shine Spray, and A-List Dry Texturizing Spray.”

Think of them as your easy-peasy three-pronged approach to tailoring a finished look: lasting memory from hairspray, runway gloss from shine spray and workable grip from texturizing spray.