Runway throwback: the most iconic hairstyles from past fashion weeks The keywords? Theatricality, futurism and many colors

After discussing make-up and nail art on the runway, we are left with one final journey back in time: runway hairstyles. From true sculptural creations made with strands of hair, bold colors, feathers used as extensions, to an incredible messiness (always appreciated), hairstyles become an integral part of the designers' concepts. Here is a selection of the most iconic runway hairstyles, those that did much more than just "complete" a look.

Runway hair: the most iconic hairstyles from past fashion shows

Dior Fall/Winter 1998

The Dior Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 1998 collection marked one of John Galliano's first steps at the Maison. The garments played with 1940s silhouettes reimagined in a modern key, layering, and rich textured fabrics, striking a balance between classic elegance and the over-the-top theatricality typical of the designer. The hair was just as impressive: long locks parted in two, with soft curls on one side, straight hair held with jeweled clips on the other, and the face framed by finger waves in perfect retro style.

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2007

The Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2007 show was a real play of royalty and theatricality, with military references and princely luxury. But while the clothes were already a spectacle, the hairstyles stole the show: models wore crowns created entirely from hair.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011

During the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011 show, some models sported truly surreal hairstyles, crafted by renowned hairstylist Guido Palau: hair woven like an actual textile. A look that, without a doubt, stole the spotlight from everything else.

Marchesa Spring/Summer 2014

The Marchesa Spring/Summer 2014 collection is a hymn to ethereal and feminine romanticism. The collection featured light-colored tulle and lace dresses, while the models’ hair was adorned with thin, delicate feathers, similar to ostrich feathers, woven into the front strands, adding an extra touch of lightness.

Comme des Garçons Spring/Summer 2003

The Comme des Garçons Spring/Summer 2003 show is pure conceptual invention by Rei Kawakubo: volumes, pleats, and silhouettes that look more like sculptures than clothes. Completing the look, models wore headpieces created entirely from hair, blending seamlessly with their locks.

Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2016

The Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2016 collection by John Galliano is fully inspired by the futuristic and sci‑fi world, especially 1960s sci-fi films: fishnet, metallic applications, bold colors, and retro cuts. On the runway, the hair looked equally inventive: futuristic updos, pastel-colored hair, and almost alien braids framing the face.

Dries Van Noten Fall/Winter 2020

The Dries Van Noten Fall/Winter 2020 collection had a mood oscillating between romance and glam‑rock. Models sported slicked-back hair with colored roots thanks to marabou feathers inserted along the parting, in shades from fuchsia to lime, creating a neon‑roots effect with emo-glam aesthetics, but make it couture.

Jeremy Scott Fall/Winter 2011

The Jeremy Scott Fall/Winter 2011 collection was a real dive into the '90s club kids’ vibe: acid colors, neon furs, and slogan T-shirts. And while the outfits were already a declaration of eccentric playfulness, the hair didn’t hold back: models sported pigtails with neon extensions that looked straight out of a rave, making the hair look an integral part of the runway's creative chaos.