Kien Hoang has worked as an in-demand key stylist at New York Fashion Week for years, and for this Spring/Summer 2016 season he created trendsetting looks for Veronica Beard and The Blonds. “Hair brings the whole vision together,” Kien said. “Hair and makeup is the framework of beauty.” We spoke to Kien about what inspired his creations this season and why he can’t stay away from New York Fashion Week.
How did the Veronica Beard collection influence the look you created?
The collection looked to Miami in the late ’70 and early ’80s for inspiration. The idea of a sexy, sultry, powerful woman—think Michelle Pfeiffer’s gangster persona in “Scarface”—was a major reference. To complement the ready-to-wear clothing, which featured off-the-shoulder styles, imprints of palm trees and beautifully tailored white suits, I wanted to create a glossy, slicked-back, just-out-of-the-pool low chignon.
What inspired you to push the envelope with the highly editorial look you created for The Blonds?
This season The Blonds’ inspiration was Egypt and Cleopatra meets disco with gold embellishment and extreme texture throughout the collection. The clothes represented gold urns, so I wanted the hair shape to reflect sphinxes and pharaohs. My team made it more modern by keeping it chin-length to show proportion and we buzzed the ends to achieve a blunt texture. Using two bold, blonde wigs reminiscent of a sun-worshipping goddess was a playful, sexy way to complement the collection.
What SS16 trend will be most requested in the salon world?
Low ponytails, middle parts and easy beach waves will be the most requested. Effortless, undone, loose, lazy waves are perfect for the spring season.
With SS16 under your belt, what do you forecast will be on-trend for FW16?
For Fall/Winter 2016, hairdressing is going to be more elaborate. Spring is all about effortless style, but with fall fashion, a look can be more stylized and done. Color is going to be a big influence—especially rich browns and gold tones. Shorter hair styled using your fingers and tools to create different textures; bends and folds will also be on-trend.
What keeps you coming back to New York Fashion Week?
After years backstage, I keep coming back because of the stylists and designers that I get to collaborate with and who continue to inspire me to bring out their visions through hair.
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