Runway Hair: Rodarte Fall 2010

By Alexis Wolfer

Ever since Rodarte’s inception in 2005, sister-designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy have garnered numerous high (and, need we say, well-deserved) honors, including the 2009 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award. The power of their runway shows, though, is not based on the clothes alone – rather, with trend-setting hair and makeup looks, Rodarte not only sets the trends for fashion, but also beauty. So, although a Rodarte runway design may be well beyond our clothing budgets, with a few DIY tricks and tips we can at least walk away with a bit the runway look: the hair.

Get long, luscious locks! This Indian oil is the secret!

Pearson Knight, the Aveda Master Stylist who executed the runway look backstage, shares with The Beauty Bean his tips for achieving the romantically sleek style from the Rodarte Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection, at home. As Knight explains, “For Rodarte, we created glossy, childlike hair adorned with handmade flower pins. It was sleek and shiny – free flowing, yet controlled – and was inspired by the idea of a modern, young girl who is strong and capable yet sweet and innocent.” And although the look was created to accompany fall’s fashions, with floral hair pins and a sleeked back style, we see no reason to wait for the seasons to change.

Knight explains how to get the look:

Prep damp hair with Aveda Smooth Infusion™ Glossing Straightener ($21) for shine and sleekness, and blow-dry smooth with a flat brush.

Create a clean left side part. Straighten hair layer by layer using a flat iron.

Spray each layer of hair with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray ($26) and blow-dry for intense hold and shine. Hair should be sleek and close to the head.

Floral nails to accompany the look!

Use small bobby pins to secure hair in a clean line from one side of the head to the other, just above the nape of the neck. Let the ends of hair fall loosely in back and over both shoulders.

Secure a selection of metal flower ornaments into the hair horizontally across the head, weaving through the layers of hair if necessary. (While Rodarte used handmade flower pins, we found floral bobby pins ($6 each) at WetSeal.com that will do the trick!) Finish the look with another spray of Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray.

Get the look at Donna Karen! Click here to see how!