How to recreate the glossy, Grace Kelly-inspired chignon at Emilia Wickstead

We really hope that by September, the pencil skirts and off-the-shoulder dresses at Emilia Wickstead AW21 might be clothes we have an occasion to wear, but chances are that you’ve been doing some version of the hairstyle for a year now. It’s been dubbed ‘Cinematic Glamour’ (which sounds considerably chicer than ‘Hangover Hair’): a modern take on Grace Kelly’s voluminous, elegant up-do.

“The entire collection this season is predominately inspired by old movies where one world is ending, and another is beginning,” said Emilia Wickstead. “There is a real energy to the season with an atmosphere of anticipation and confidence, with a welcoming quickening of pace which we can all relate to currently. The neatness and charm of traditional Milanese sartorial dress is translated into soft neutral tailoring, designed for every-day comfort and ease. Timeless wool jackets are lightly sculpted at the waist. Tapered stirrup trousers in lux jersey are relaxed, yet elegant. Scarves are draped blanket-like across the shoulders.”

“We wanted the hair to bring that beautiful old world cinematic style to life. When working with Shaun, it was how do we play on that tradition but add a modern, relaxed twist using ghd products. Everything is very smooth, very straight, it feels very luxe, it feels very important. It’s that Milanese woman but then again it’s Alfred Hitchcock’s Grace Kelly in Rear Window”.

“With today’s circumstances, I think it’s all about ease. I’ve always believed that simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve, but by adding structure and grace to your hair look it can make you feel amazing.”

“The hair look this season is clean with a 90’s reference, but still has a refined handsomeness to it,” says hairdresser Shaun McIntosh.

To give the hair hold and body, Shaun McInthosh prepped the mid lengths and ends using the ghd bodyguard heat protection spray and added the ghd body goals volume foam to the roots and mid lengths.

Next, he dried the hair “away from the face to give it direction” and straightened the hair in sections with the ghd platinum + styler “to create a clean and smooth finish.”

“I then took a section from the back, tied a low ponytail to use as an anchor, and created a rope braid using the ponytail, secured with elastic and then twisted it back on itself and pinned it.” Finally, he clipped the hair in place, added hairspray and used the set the look in place with a diffuser.

Watch the Emilia Wickstead AW21 presentation below.

Photography by ghd.