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To declare my bias here, I’ll admit that the Christopher Esber show is almost always my absolute favourite every time the local runway rolls around again. To me, his elegant repertoir of structured separates, sexy evening silhouettes and muted colour palette just do it for me every time. But that obvious conflict aside, the sleek, ultra-expensive-looking locks seen at the designer’s Afterpay Australian Fashion Week show were also a definite drawcard.
This year, Esber partnered with heritage haircare purveyors TRESemmé, which possesses a demonstrated expertise in backstage styling throughout countless global fashion weeks. The brand teamed up with celebrated Australian hairstylist Rory Rice, who served as hair director, to create an array of poker-straight, impossibly glossy locks for Esber’s girls – including special guest, supermodel Gemma Ward.
GRAZIA spoke to Rice about his vision, the steps behind the finished looks and how to emulate the effect at home. Oh, and also we got a few beauty tips from Ms Ward herself.
GRAZIA: What was the inspiration for the hair looks at Christopher Esber this season?
Rory Rice: The direction I have taken is a nod to minimal chic 2000s hair – smooth luxe styling with a soft textured finish.
GRAZIA: What steps did you take to achieve such a sleek style?
RR: We used TRESemmé Pro Pure 0% shampoo and 0% conditioner to cleanse the hair, before parting the hair down the middle, all the day back to the crown of the head. We then blow dried the hair in a downwards direction with a large brush while keeping the parting flat. We then ran styling irons (GRAZIA loves ghd’s platinum+ hair straightener in ombre chrome, $370) through the hair to get the ends poker straight, with a spritz of serum on ends and TRESemmé’s Salon Finish Styling Hairspray Extra Hold ($7.99) on the part to keep the fly-aways at bay.
GRAZIA: What’s the secret to getting such effortlessly glossy hair at home?
RR: Less is more, start clean and work with the hair’s natural movements. Keep your kit small and effective – a good hair drier, brush, comb and heavy hold clips.
And now, for some beauty tips from the woman herself, Gemma Ward.
GRAZIA: What are your beauty essentials during fashion week?
Gemma Ward: I do get dry skin, especially with this change of seasons. So I have been traveling with a lot of serums, mainly vitamin C with a moisturiser on top. I like layering to keep the moisture in.
GRAZIA: What’s your favourite thing about the Christopher Esber beauty look?
GW: I love that Christopher is keeping it very simple, but elegant. His dresses are so elegant and sexy, all eyes should be on the clothes. My hair feels super sophisticated with smooth luxe styling using TRESemmé Pro Pure, which I’m loving as it’s guilt-free haircare.
GRAZIA: How do you look after your hair during a busy week with lots of heat styling?
GW: It can definitely damage hair, especially colour-treated hair, but I feel like I have to take extra special care of my hair now. I make sure I condition with the new TRESemmé Pro Pure as it is nice and hydrating, putting back all of that moisture that I’m losing during fashion week.
