First up, “SQ-Round” (pronounced “scrowned”). Lina Arrojo led a team that included James Edick, Rachel Rodriguez, Tatum Neill, Nicole Obert, and Abbey Theis. The inspiration? The Fibonacci spiral, a diagram used in geometry with spirals and rounds going through a square shape. Thus SQ-Round uses texture and color to highlight a fusion of round and square shapes.
Next came “Yearn/Need.” Intrigued by early America, Stacey Whitmire, Amy Dinnerman, and Topher Gross showcased how people misbehave when subjected to rigorous moral code. Models walked the runway in prim black dresses, their hands folded as if in prayer, with blue light emanating from within. When hands opened, “ice cubes” rolled onto the stage, revealing a “stigmata” made of red wax on each of their palms. Naturally, since they were acting out, they sported exaggerated shapes with peacock and purple tones.
Inspired by a dystopian, fend-for-yourself view of the future, Morgan James, Mazja Hillestroem, Alexis Gross, and Antonia Troiano presented “Severance,” which featured strong, linear shapes, with beautifully severe undercutting and disconnection.
“A New Kind of Kick” was the brainchild of Cheryl Fazio, Jenna Perritt, Mika Perritt, Marinna Ferrante, and Austin Pratt. The idea: during World War II, fashion was bleak. Ergo, this presentation featured new interpretations of the traditional methods of hair setting, exemplifying how wartime women used ingenuity to shape style, even when they had to make something out of nothing.
The youngest team of stylists, Katie Hermanowski, Heather McGowen, Courtney Tobey, Esther Ahn, Jessica Whalen, Barton Miller, and Jason Lund presented “Strung Out.” The idea was to unveil “live” marionette dolls by showcasing high-shine, and glossy doll-like looks.
Taking inspiration from “Dia Del Los Muertes” (The Day of the Dead) Abbey Theis and Kelly Wright, with rope-inspired braids and texture, traditional Mexican Day of the Dead makeup, and dark, heavy clothing, put forward the power and beauty of styling and makeup.
Presenting “And It’s Not in Her Nature,” Antonia Troiano, Victoria Vitale, Hilary Bilstad and Liz Marz showcased heavy textures and the intricate mixing of patterns in styling and coloring.
“Ghost Women and the Heavy Colors of the Blood” was another standout collection. The team, Lee Jackson, James Edick, and Lauren Palmer-Smith, used the title of a poem by a Lipay Native American as the catalyst to produce hair that looks like a feather. With strong, striking center parts it pays homage to Native American style.
To create “Arc de Triomphe,” Joan of Arc was the guiding light for Amanda Jenkins, Hunter McLeod, Ashley Kowalsky, Gardner Edmunds, Delisa Armstrong, and Inva Cela. The last presentation of the night, it embraced fighting for what you believe in, the following of the heart. Models wore styles with pewter, red, and muted brown tones, all reminiscent of armor and helmets. Team leader, Amanda Jenkins, even went so far as to make one helmet completely out of hair.
By thinking outside the box, ARROJO underground continues to shape trends in hair, fashion, and style.
