Madewell: classic navy, classic white

Written by Ren
The first thing that caught my eye while I was perusing the Madewell spring 2011 look book featuring Dree Hemingway was another interpretation and classic version of nautical stripes. With stripes layered under or over the chic-casual outfits, the look book gives a few styling ideas for creating strong yet subtle striped looks.

Adriana Lima Covers Vogue Brazil

Image via Fashion Rogue/Credit” Vogue & Fabio Bartlet

Adriana Lima covers VogueBrazil for the February 2011 issue.  It’s a gorgeous beauty shot of the model who has impossibly long lashes, and eyes that took on the metallic hue of her jacket.  Her hair was styled in an up-do that elongated her neck.  Adriana wore sequins and ruffles with relative ease.  Nothing beats a great connection with the camera, and she was one with the lens.  Photographer Fabio Bartelt shot the beauty for this issue.

Spring 2011 fashion trends: Spring / Summer 2011-Part Eight

2011 hair colors

Picking a hair colour for 2011

I've alluded to this before, but now let me put pen to paper, or at least fingers to keyboard, and come out and say it. Every year Fashionising.com works hard to provide you with inspiration for the year's trends, hence we're currently putting together the take on 2011's hairstyles and 2011's fashion trends. But hairstyles are only a part of the equation; another part is made up by the year's haircuts and another its hair colors. And what will they be, might you ask?

The rule for 2011

2011 is not just a new year, it's a new decade, and new decades bring more than just slight change, they bring about an entirely new generation of thought. It's a case of out with the old and in with the new, and such a mindset is applied to everything from society's outlook to the aesthetic styles it embraces.

This new decade will be no different. The most dominant clothing trend of the last decade, military fashion, is finally being pushed to the back of the wardrobe. And hair colors are undergoing a major change too.

You may read that and be under the impression that 2011, and the rest of the new decade, is a period of wild hair colors. That's not what we're saying at all. Clothing trends may become more liberal, but it's not the same for hair. In fact, the change leads to just one rule. It's the rule for picking your hair color in 2011 and for many of the years to come. And that rule is thus:

Just change it.

Yes, it's almost cliche to write it, and somewhere a Nike lawyer is checking to see if we've just infringed their trademark. I confess though, cliches are easy to remember and when you're picking your new hair color for the year I want you to remember that one rule. Again, just change it. Pick a color that suits you, one that gives you confidence, make it a shade that's on trend, and go make that hair color your own.

The inspiration

Where has the inspiration for the "just change it" rule come from I hear you ask. While the start of a new decade inspires change, there are also those people driving the idea of simply changing your hair color as a trend in itself.

Let us explore.

Abbey Lee Kershaw

Abbey Lee Kershaw was the first top tier model to change her hair. One day she was sporting a mousy-brown hair color, the next day we werehearing stories of her 8 hour conversion into a near-platinum blonde. Abbey Lee had "just changed it" - well, just is an overstatement. It would have been a carefully considered change. One made to redefine her. To set her apart. Give her a point of difference. It's, thus, a hair change you should take inspiration from.

Natasha Poly

Abbey Lee's change neatly segues into a change of hair color undertaken by another top model. Natasha Poly had a hair colour that complimented her Russian looks and infinite legs. She is the perfect blonde, or at least she was. Then someone at her agency decided she needed a new look for the new year. A different look that set her apart from a sea of other leggy blondes and made her feel fresh again.

So it was that our top model of 2009 cast off the dark-rooted blonde hair that she'd become known for and became a richly colored brunette in entirety.

Eniko Mihalik

Eniko Mihalik has a very rare quality - one moment she can offer up a cute-as-a-button smile, only to follow it up with a look of such sexual confidence that men have been rumoured to fall to their feet. And yet prior to 2011 she'd been a brunette; all well and good for cute-Eniko, but a plain brunette hair color has never quite driven home the sexuality confidence she can ooze and brings in so much of her work as a result.

What to do with her hair for the new year then? Compliment her bombshell attitude withbombshell red hair.

Lily Cole

Eniko's hair color change is the most personality suited we've looked at so far, with Abbey Lee's and Natasha's seeming far more dramatic. Dramatic, however, is Lily Cole. Despite so many women now coveting the right shade of red hair, 2011 is the year to change, and change it Lily has transforming her trademark red locks to a very deep brown with eyebrows to match.

White blonde hair colour

If it has ever been out of fashion I don't remember it, which is another way of saying that platinum blonde is a hair colour trend in 2011. And perhaps 2011 is the perfect year for the hair colour, after all it's the year whose hair colour trends have something of a manifesto: just change it. So if you are going to change your hair colour, if you're going to opt for a colour that shall set you apart from the crowd, consider a shock of blonde hair that draws the gaze of those nearby, consider the platinum blonde hair shade.

The way to wear platinum blonde now

With or without dark roots

I understand that this is somewhat ambiguous, but stay with me. If you'd asked me several months ago about the blonde hair with dark roots colour trend I would have told you it has had it's day. But it hasn't, and it's hung around accordingly, but I do still believe that it is coming to an end. Thus if you were to opt to change your hair colour to white blonde / platinum blonde in the near future (say, prior to the middle of 2011) I think you'd be safe to do opt for dark roots.

That said: if it's an option, forgo the dark roots and opt for a full head of platinum / white blonde hair instead. The overall impact of platinum blonde hair will be diminished should you opt for dark roots and wear it with an up do. You can get a good sense of this dimishing affect by comparing the following picture of model Siri Tollerod with a picture of her from J. Crew's catalogue above.

Without under colours

The odd inch of dark roots is one thing, but two-tone hair or an under colour is another thing altogether. Thankfully I'm not really seeing people attempt the look, but with the prevalence of two-tone hair colour over the past years it's only a matter of time.

The reasoning here is two-fold:

1. a second hair colour will reduce the visual impact of platinum blonde
2. platinum / white blonde in 2011 is about youthful elegance or a cooler-than-cool attitude; two-tone hair in 2011 lends itself more towards the punk revival

Platinum blonde: suitable hair cuts

The latter of the two last points reveals much about hair cuts and hairstyles that work with platinum blonde hair.

If you're looking for an elegant interpretation of platinum blonde then your preference should lean towards the year's longer hair styles. From there you can style the hair colour in umpteenth ways with a preference towards either bombshell waves (below) or a straight hair style.

If you're after more of a rock chic look, however, I can recommend one person you must keep your eye on for inspiration: Australian model Kate Peck. She has the look pegged, and pairs a dramatic hair colour with an equally dramatic hair cut to really set herself apart on the catwalk.

While not truly platinum / white blonde, our feature on 5 ways to style peroxide blonde should also lend some inspiration to those seeking the hair colour for themselves. That hair styling inspiration feature specifically looks at styling the hair colour when cut with a fringe.

Redhead: red hair color women's hair trend

When I penned Fashionising.com's bible of hair trends for 2010 I promised one more addition to the list of 2010 hair colours. Why? I did so not because of looming deadlines, but because this particular colour trend deserved it very own article.

For the past decade century, you see, most of the fashion industry has been obsessed with blondes. Be it on models or on A listers, blondes are reputed to have more fun. Make no mistake, blonde hair isn't going anywhere with 2010 seeing both peroxide blonde and golden blonde as 'on trend'. But with the end of the 2000s and the start of the next decade it's time for the blonde bombshell to make way.

Introducing the redhead bombshell.

Red hair in 2010

The redhead isn't just a hair colour in 2010, it's an attitude. If it were a formula I could mix up in Fashionising.com's offices it would end up 2 parts red hair, 2 parts personality, and 2 parts sexual confidence. Think model Coco Rocha as a redhead oozing of her playful, confident personality and you're somewhat there. Just add the bombshell sexual confidence, and you have it.

Which colour red?

As it is with any hair colour, not all shades of red hair are in in 2010. Forget the bright copper and crimson tones: red hair in 2010 is about richly coloured and natural looking red hair.

Part of the appeal of red hair is that its a rarity. It's said that less than 2% of people are natural redheads, so the more natural your red colour looks, the more it can be associated with something rare and exclusive. Hence there's only one real golden rule worth stating when it comes to red hair in 2010: it can't look fake.

A natural redhead with blue eyes: Lily Cole

Different hair colours will take to red dye in varying ways, so your best bet is always to head to a trusted salon and get advice on which colour will work best for you. Very light hair will need a subtle approach to avoid turning too orange; while very dark hair may need to be lightened first in order to achieve a rich red colour. While subtle highlights and lowlights help to achieve the natural redhead look, obvious contrasting streaks are not recommended.

Red hair trend: who it's suited to

Red hair is to the cooler months what blonde hair is to Spring. This is particularly true of darker auburn tones, or lighter reds against pale skin.

The pale redhead

Pale porcelain skin will almost always work a treat with red hair - particularly if your eyes are green or blue. This is a great Winter look.

The freckled redhead

For Spring 2010 girls with freckles and bronzed skin are the perfect neo-redheads. Go for lighter reds like natural gingers and neutral-tone coppers.

The fair browed

A perfect match to the bleached blonde eybrows trend, both pale and bronzed skinned redheads should consider lightening their brows. This not only adds to the natural-born redhead effect, but also brings the look well and truly into 2010.

Julia Hafstrom: natural red hair & blonde eyebrows

Ways to style red hair

There are of course many ways to style red tresses - as with any other hair colour. So instead of stating the obvious, let us give you three ideas of creative ways to style red hair - with the intent of creating not just a hairstyle but an overall look and persona.

The Warrior

Luisa Bianchin by Frauke Fischer

Redheads through history have also often been portrayed as fiery and fierce, yet seductive; from Queen Elizabeth I and Boudica to Cleopatra (who some argue was a redhead) making this colour perfectly complimentary to 2010's warrior trend. For the fierce warrior look go for long and voluminous cascading red waves, or add some halo-like milkmaid braids.

The pin-up

Redheaded Vargas Pinup Girl

The red-haired bombshell goes perfectly with vintage styling and a fun and sexy attitude. Go for a sleek side-part and 1940's style waves, or victory rolls. Take your inspiration from Vargas classic pin-up girls.

The Maiden

Cecile Sinclair in Lula Magazine, shot by Nicole Nodland

Spring 2011 fashion trends: Spring / Summer 2011-Part Seven

2011 haircuts

The return of the fringe / bangs

Trends can sweep in as if on an unstoppable avalanche, changing the landscape entirely (until they run their cycle); such is what the fringe (bangs) did back in 2007. But it doesn't have to end there. Some can drift on, lingering, having smaller bursts of renewed vigor. This year the fringe makes one such return as a 2011 hair trend.

Julia Stegner in Vogue Turkey, October 2010

How has it changed?

So the number one question you may be asking is, if the fringe never really went away, how has it changed in 2011? The answer is, it hasn't really. It's still best worn thick, blunt, and long (sweeping the top of the eyes preferably). And it's still best worn in one of the following ways:

• with a messy, neo-bohemian, grungy edge
• with an aura of '60s sex-kitten nonchalance (think Francoise Hardy or Jane Birkin)
• straight and sleek; elegant but still natural

Hair cuts to wear it with

The bob

When we talk about fringed bobs its easy to think of 1920s style cuts like the Louise Brooks. But not so in 2011; now the fringe is the perfect accompaniment to a longer bob (think Abbey Lee Kershaw, below). Again this can work perfectly for a sixties-inspired look, or for a grungy messy 'do that's devil-may-care.

Abbey Lee Kershaw with bangs

The short crop

A pixie crop is also perfect with a fringe in 2011, but a slightly different type of fringe. Rather than being cut separate to the rest of the hair, it should all be a continuous; the crop simply cut longer in front to create the effect of bangs.

Carey Mulligan with cropped hair and bangs

Long hair

This rather goes without saying: bangs are perfect for hair shoulder length or longer, particularly when hair is naturally straight or with a slight wave.

Julia Stegner in Vogue Turkey

2011 medium length haircuts

Bob with bangs / fringe hairstyle

Like all fashion trends, hair trends generally come, go, and eventually come back. Infrequently, though, there is the odd hairstyle that appears to have had its time, only to soon reappear, though thoroughly evolved.

The bob and fringe (bangs) is one such hairstyle.

Surging to popularity in 2008 before fading out at the tail end of 2009, I didn't think that less than a year later a come back may be on the cards. And yet here it is, spurred on largely by model Abbey Lee Kershaw, as a part of 2011's hair trends.

Bob hairstyle on Abbey Lee Kershaw

Bob with bangs / fringe: difference in '11?

When it was last a hairstyle trend the bob with bangs / bob with fringe was all about razor sharpness - after all, it's origins were lay in the popularity of Victoria Beckham's razor sharp 'pob' hairstyle. Thus in 2008 the bob that was favoured had an edgy appeal and was often bluntly cut to chin length. By 2009 the bob had softened a little: fringes were growing out and messy layers were taking over from blunt lines.

In 2011, the bob with bangs / fringe hairstyle continues its evolution. Like so many of the year's clothing trends, the bob with bangs / fringe is going retro. The trend towards sophisticated 1970sdressing sees the bob evolve into something slightly longer and become a hairstyle that is neatly blow-waved under with a straight (but not too harsh) edge.

Abbey Lee Kershaw with a bob and bangs / fringe in Vogue Nippon

The same long bob can, in 2011, also be styled with a 1960s twist: back-combed for volume with the ends flicked out, or with a softer folk influence and unfussy styling (think Jane Birkin and Francoise Hardy).

Sixties long bob with long fringe: Francoise Hardy

About the fringe / bangs

By no means is the fringe mandatory to create a retro-inspired bob; you'll note that Keira Knightley is sans fringe in the inspiration link below. A fringe with a bob is, regardless, a part of the bob hairstyle trend in 2011.

The thickness and cut of the fringe hasn't changed all that much over the past few years; with fashion favouring thick fringes with blunt-cut lines. Wispy or layered fringes are still to be avoided. What you can play with is the length, with a shorter fringe (like the one seen on Abbey Lee Kershaw, below) another option.

Abbey Lee Kershaw with short bangs / fringe

Finally, one more way to mix up the fringe in 2011 - round down the corners to add a mod face-framing effect. This can be very subtle, or more dramatic depending on your preference.

2011 short haircuts

Pixie crop haircut

So many of the year's trends are about a revival of fashion from the 70s, and it's no different for2011 hairstyles. Of course, the pixie crop isn't a new hairstyle for the year: Fashionising.com has been writing about its popularity and evolution since 2007. And in 2011 the pixie crop will do just that, evolve. Or at least, revert. Spurred on by celebrities and trend influencers, such as Emma Waston, the pixie crop returns in 2011 to be a short crop - putting it in contrast to the longer interpretation of the hairstyle that was popular in 2010.

Pixie crop haircut in 2011

The picture of Emma Watson's pixie crop above visually summarises much about this trend for 2011. It's about short sides and an ever-so-slightly longer top and fringe, with the top and the sides blending perfectly. In essence, that makes the current pixie crop a comeback of the 1960s version of the haircut, then popularised by the likes of Mia Farrow.

As it always has been, the pixie crop remains a haircut for those with straight hair, though it is a cut that is open to those with either thin or thick hair.

Evolving towards 2012

As for how the hairstyle will evolve across the year and, potentially, into 2012, 2011's fashion trends are largely influenced by a 1970s fashion revival. With that in mind is not unreasonable to assume that the pixie crop will evolve across the year to adopt more trademarks of the cut from that era. Thus you'd expect to see more of an even cut all over, with longer sides than what we've seen to date.

If the 70s revival stays strong then there'd be one further evolution: the pixie crop would eventually make way for a pageboy, just as it did the first time around.

Both of these 1970s evolutions of the pixie crop haircut are pictured to the right, in an original hair style guide from the era.

Styling the pixie crop

Largely influenced by the 1960s, you'll find celebrity and street style inspiration for the haircut below. Perusing through the links you'll see that, particularly in the case of Emma Watson, that while the pixie crop is now cut the same way as it was in 1960s, it needn't be styled that way.

Spring 2011 fashion trends: Spring / Summer 2011-Part Six

2011 hair trends: 2011 hairstyles for women

The year marks the true start of a new decade, and yet 2011's fashion trends are all about revival. True, there is a unique undertone of a modernist style appearing, but take some of the most iconic styles of the 20th century, infuse them with quality, and you'll find the basis for the dominant styles of 2011.

The year's hair trends are no different. For fashionisers in 2011, hair is all about revivals and evolution. With styles and colours we're seeing the best of 2010 reborn, whereas cuts are offering reworked and luxurious revivals of styles that sit perfectly with the year's clothing trends.

2011 long hairstyles

Double hair knot

When it comes to the year's fashion trends a lot of 2011 will focus on embellished, quality details - it won't be exactly the same for 2011 hairstyles, however. Quality, yes. Embellishment, not always. 2011 won't be a year in which hair trends are based around adornments and accessories - yes, there'll be headbands, but there'll be a larger push towards styles that are au naturel. And amongst those styles will be the double hair knot.

What is a double hair knot?

Taking the lead from last year's hairstyles, the double hair knot continues the infatuation with styles that seem effortless - think the plaited and braided hairstyles that have been so popular for more then 12 months, simplify, and you have the double hair knot.

Like the topsy tail hairstyle of years gone by, the double hair knot sits roughly at the nape of the neck or a little higher. The style also works as a single knot - but by knotting the hair twice the effect is more interesting, and easier to secure.

A side view of the hair style as featured on Michael Kors' S/S '11 catwalk via Hanneli.

How to style it

Though a hairstyle suited to the entire year, the style of double hair knot you're seeing in the pictures are best suited to spring / summer 2011. Styled by Orlando Pita for the Michael Kors catwalk, the summer influence comes courtesy of a desire to have fuse urban hairstyle with the feel that its wearer has "been out at the beach all day."

To capture the summer interpretation of the double hair knot:

1. First, spritz the hair all over with a sea-salt spray (Orlando Pita used Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray)
2. Next, scrunch the hair into bunches while drying to add waves and texture
3. Pull a thick section of hair out at the front, sweeping it into a deep side part
4. Finally, take back two sections of hair and tie into a knot - then again into a double knot

For a take on the style that is suited to autumn / fall or winter, play down the beachy-ness by making the hair smoother and a little less textured. Try replacing the sea-spray with a volumizer and keeping the hair in place with a little hairspray.

If you'd like a more detailed 'how to' guide please let us know by leaving a comment below and we'll see what we can organise.

A front view of the hair style as featured on Michael Kors' S/S '11 catwalk via Style.com.

braided topknot

It's not an understatement to say that the hair trend of late has been braided hair, with 2010's side braid having captured the imagination of the fashion forwards before it had even left the catwalk.

Such demand for a single hairstyle inevitably sent fashionisers looking for variations on the theme, and it's fair to say that braided hairstyles will be with us for sometime yet. Which brings us to another interpretation of the larger trend: the braided top knot.

Born on Sass & Bide's spring 2011 catwalk it's a style that has all the hallmarks of a hair trend in the making: it's detailed, it has a messyfactor that is imbued with a too-cool-to-care attitude, you can style it yourself and, simply put, it turns heads.

Hair how-to: the bird's nest bun

Back when it appeared on the Lanvin spring 2010 runway, we termed it a birds-nest topknot that's Hitchcock heroine meets modern-day bedhair; and, as 2011's hair trends continue to evolve it's the type of topknot that's come out on top (pardon the pun). Why? It can still be a little wispy, a little messy; but it's elegant. Thus, it's a runway hair trend that we've already seen translated to the red carpet.

Chanel carried the look over to pre-fall 2011, ornamented by embellished headbands

Bird's nest bun with headband at Chanel pre-Fall 2011

How to create a bird's nest topknot

At the recent 2010 Australian Film Industry Awards, we spoke to Caterina DiBiase - part of theghd styling team, and director of Heading Out Hair, about achieving the bird's nest bun. Caterina fondly refers to the style as the powderpuff: any oversized topknot where the hair winds around loosely to create a sophisticated yet still effortless-looking style. Caterina created the look on actress Laura Wheelright for the AFI Ceremony.

Caterina, who was working exclusively with ghd products, followed these steps:

1. First, apply liberal amounts of ghd maximise mousse to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair.
2. Blast with a hairdryer to dry the mousse into the hair.
3. Pull the hair up into a very high ponytail on the top of the head.
4. Divide the ponytail into several sections then tease each section with a comb, creating lots of volume and texture (it should look a little crazy right now so don't be alarmed... it will soon be tamed!)
5. Brush the ponytail out just a little bit to even out the texture, then wrap the hair around the ponytail to create a messy topknot.
6. Secure with bobby pins all the way around.
7. Finally, spray the hair with ghd ultimate hair spray.

For the Chanel pre-Fall 2011 version of the style, simply add a headband - and, if desired, tug out a few loose pieces of hair to create a more wispy finish.

2011 short hairstyles

Waved bob hairstyle

As the longer bob creeps its way into our 2011 hair trends guide, the question starts to arise: if you go down the path of a shoulder-length bob, how do you keep it interesting and varied? Most of the examples we've seen have leaned to straight, or with a modern take on the 70s-glam blow wave. But here's another trend that's arising as a result of 2011's shoulder-scraping cut: the waved bob.

With the bob in 2011 being generally longer and softer, it's much easier to pull off a waved style with it. While 40s-inspired pin curls are one option, here's one that's more suited to everyday. A casual, textured, beachy wave.

How to create the waved bob

We caught up with ghd at the 2011 AFI Awards as they created a beachy wave on actress Caitlin Stasey. Here are the steps from Heading Out Hair's Caterina DiBiase, working exclusively with ghd, for how you can recreate the style.

1. Work in ghd Maximise Mousse all through the hair, then dry in.
2. Section off the hair then use your ghd Salon Styler to create some loose, semi-curls (they need to have bend, but not be fully curly). Start curling a few inches down from the roots.
3. Spray the hair with ghd Sea Spray to create a relaxed, beachy texture.
4. Finally, blast the hair with a hair dryer to break it up.

The key to the look in 2011 is not to overdo the curls - the more relaxed and understated, the better.