Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2013 NYC: Ann Yee

For the Ann Yee Fall/Winter 2013 show, Yee was inspired by Black Mountain College, a beatnik liberal arts college founded in the 1930’s that was a unique educational experiment for artists. Complete with lots of knits, Yee's clothes exemplified the movement, while Aveda Global Styling Director Allen Ruiz took on the message in the hair.

Ruiz created what he referred to as “controlled chaos” – a full-bodied, texturized halo of hair – think Grace Coddington. “Ann wanted a progressive style to complement her collection. The look is woodsy and idiosyncratic in spirit, with a dim romantic undercurrent,” said Ruiz.

To get the look, Ruiz prepped hair with Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep and blow dried with fingers directing hair away from face to add the texture and volume needed to create the look. Next the hair was separated in small triangular-shaped sections and misted with Be Curly Hair Spray. Working horizontally from the nape, the sections were wrapped around extra-large u-pins in a figure-8 pattern. The pins were then secured with a small clip then flat-ironed for 15 to 20 seconds to set the shape.

Once cooled, the hair was undone and brushed out with a wide-tooth comb. A few sections were backcombed a few to create volume; working from the hairline back to the crown and just above the ears, Ruiz carefully maintained some definition in the curls above the forehead. He then divided the hair in two sections and tied these sections in a knot at the nape, tucking ends while folding hair toward center to create a twist.

The final look was secured with bobby pins and finished with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.