What are the new hairstyle trends? Schwarzkopf and star stylist Armin Morbach have the answer: Four fascinating looks bring the leading trends to a point. Cool, individual, feminine and urban – photography legend Annie Leibovitz presents the hair highlights in proper style in New York.
What was it like working with Annie Leibovitz?
ARMIN MORBACH: Annie is a very special personality and it was an honour to shoot the 2016 Schwarzkopf looks with her. She is very professional and naturally expects the same from her team. You don’t make someone like Annie Leibovitz wait – she gives you two minutes and then the hair needs to be styled. So it was a bit like cooking on the set: The looks were created à la minute. That is also what makes them so approachable.
The makeup for the looks comes from the Frenchman Stéphane Marais. What was the mood between you like on the set?
ARMIN MORBACH: Stéphane is quasi an icon in his field. I take my hat off to him. He has achieved incredibly much. Working with him was a great experience and it was all very relaxed.
How would you describe the makeup for the looks?
ARMIN MORBACH: Stéphane focused on three things: Brows, lashes and lips. He always made really perfect eyebrows and lashes that did not stick or clump. The lips were consistently emphasised, even if it was only a nude hue. Thanks to the natural colours, everything appears really fresh and unadorned.
What does “Vivacity” mean for you in regards to hairstyles?
ARMIN MORBACH: For me “Vivacity” means internationality and the emphasis of characters. The photos were taken in New York with the intent of capturing the multicultural mood that prevails there. When you go for a walk in New York, you can see a Latina, then a redhead and then a blonde woman. We wanted to capture this atmosphere with a certain high fashion glamour. The ladies in the photos are intended to look like celebrities on a magazine cover. That is why we made sure to pick models who are genuine personalities and have already achieved a certain popularity in their home countries. Alena Blohm for example, who is also quite well known internationally in the meantime.
To what extent were you inspired by fashion?
ARMIN MORBACH: This time we looked to classic fashion boutiques like Missoni or Gucci for orientation. When you look at their models on the catwalk, they always look especially fabulous.
On what occasions can the respective hairstyles be worn?
ARMIN MORBACH: I think they can be worn for anything. Big City Waves, a look that appears very sexy and elegant, also works well with a slightly ratty T-shirt, jeans and high heels. Such a break makes the whole package even more interesting.
What is special about Big City Waves?
ARMIN MORBACH: When a woman enters a restaurant with hair like that, heads are going to turn – simply because it is sexy. This look demands great femininity. We chose a redhead and a Latina for the photos. I think they have a very special appeal. Their hair represents extreme womanliness.
What type of woman can wear the Loose Breeze?
ARMIN MORBACH: Loose Breeze rejuvenates and reminds me of the typical “girl next door”. Any woman looks good with a bit of a wave and volume at the hairline. Naturally Loose Breeze also has this hippie touch, genuine and fresh. Flower dresses and lace go great with that.
What inspired the Shoulder Touch?
ARMIN MORBACH: Shoulder Touch reminds me of the late sixties and early seventies: from rock and roll to hippies. Here the wild look was especially important to us. It looks like the model just got back from surfing. This trend has lasted a long time already and was once again apparent in New York, London and Milan. I can easily picture this look with a classy dress. That creates the required break.
What does the Pretty Jaws look make you think of?
This is a look you wear with self confidence. I can picture it best on a tough, somewhat masculine woman. A creative individual leading a fast-paced life. She doesn’t want to spend hours in the bath. It is more about the woman herself and not just about the look.