Allen Ruiz
Allen Ruiz
We were lucky enough to catch up with salon owner and 2007 North American Hairdresser of The Year, Allen Ruiz, in between shows during NYC Fashion Week.
Allen, who splits his time between Austin and New York City, has some exciting things on the horizon. He was just recently appointed Aveda’s new Style Director for North America, a role in which he will be responsible for producing education curriculum and creating the hair for both ad campaigns and backstage at Fashion Week. Ruiz also just received word that he’s one of five finalists for the prestigious International Artist of The Year honor from the Canadian Mirror Awards.
Despite everything going on, Allen found the time to create the hair for five major Aveda-sponsored Fashion Week shows including John Patrick Organic, Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame, Jason Wu, Sophie Théallet and Allen’s personal fave, Rodarte.
Allen shares some of the trends coming out of this season’s shows, as well as how to easily achieve two of the more “wearable” designer hair looks he created backstage at the Rodarte and Sophie Théallet shows.
Allen’s Top 3 Fall 2011 Fashion Week Trends
1. Strong Dramatic Parts: “Whether on the side, or straight down the center, parts are not subtle or soft this season, instead they’re strong, dramatic and they command attention.”
2. Contrast in Texture: “Smooth and shiny at the crown and textured everywhere else. Texture has evolved from the previous seasons—it’s a lot looser, softer texture and curl than in seasons past.”
3. Accessories: “Scarves, berets, ribbons and everything else in between are great hair adornments, temporarily altering the appearance of your head shape and even hair color.”
Hair inspired by the infamous Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde fame
Fashion Week Hair Highlight
The Show: Sophie Théallet
Hair Inspiration: Faye Dunaway’s Bonnie Parker from Bonnie and Clyde. “Sweet but not so innocent, a minimalistic, simple chic look that any woman can easily recreate at home.”
Get The Look:
Step 1: “You want the hair to be super-smooth and straight. We used Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener in damp hair and dried the hair totally straight using a Mason Pearson brush and blow-dryer with nozzle attachment on high heat.”
Step 2: “Section the hair into small, manageable sections. Working section by section, flat iron the hair, spraying each section with Aveda’s new amazing hair spray Control Force prior to applying flat iron heat.”
Step 3: “Sweep the hair back like you’re going to put it in a low ponytail and instead of securing it with an elastic, wrap a silk ribbon around the front of your neck and the hair and then tie either into a knot or a bow.
Step 4: To finish the style, lightly mist Aveda Brilliant Spray On Shine onto a Kabuki brush and apply to the tail for a shiny finish.
Create this look from the Rodarte show
Fashion Week Hair Highlight
The Show: Rodarte
Hair Inspiration: Natural, organic hair to compliment the “Little House on The Prarie-esque” styles.
Get The Look:
Step 1: “Create a strong side part to the left.
Step 2: “Take vertical sections of hair going back from the forehead to the crown. Wet hair at the roots with water and apply Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam through the ends. Rough dry the hair only using your hands and a blow-dryer. Twist the sections of hair on the sides and at the back of the head as you blow-dry to enhance natural texture and wave.”
Step 3: “Take a 1-2” section of hair right above your ear and braid using the fishtail technique. Take another section of hair at the nape of your neck opposite side of where you took your first section. Pull this section of hair around the style to secure and connect to your braid and pin.
