#TheLIST: The Best Braids From Fall 2017 Fashion Week
In the front row and on the runways, braids in all shapes, sizes, and textures made a triumphant return to fashion month.
The origin of beauty trends is somewhat nebulous. We'd be remiss to call braids a fall 2017 trend; braids have always been in style, and will continue to be in style, for as long as human kind has a say in it. But there was a definite resurgence of woven styles on the fall 2017 runways, one that started way back in September for the spring shows. But no matter how it happened, all you need to know is this: braids of all shapes and sizes will be major come fall. Look no further for inspiration, because here are all the best braids we spotted during fall 2017 fashion month.
Balmain
For Balmain this season, hairstylist Sam McKnight braided three or four cornrows along the center of the head ("in an imaginary mohawk," he said), then pulled the hair back into a tight ponytail. Extensions were added for length, so that the tails reached the middle of the models' backs. A root cover-up powder in shade darker than the models' hair was used along the braids to cover the skin, and then McKnight's namesake styling products (launching later this year) added the grit and hold needed to keep the look in place. "She's tougher and more warrior-like than in the past," said the hairstylist.
We Wore What
Hours after the Balmain show, blogger Danielle Bernstein tapped hairstylist Alex Brown to recreate the hairstyle.
Alberta Ferretti
A new take on hat hair, as seen at Alberta Ferretti's fall show.
Emily Ratajkowski
The most romantic hair ever? A loose side braid tied off with a floppy black ribbon.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid's glossy braided pigtails (likely residual the H&M Studio show) were the perfect choice for a warm, humid, and rainy Paris day.
H&M Studio
The models at H&M Studio wore their hair in glossy braided pigtails and topped off with a black leather headband.
Alice + Olivia
TRESemmé Global Stylist Justine Marjan called these ethereal crown braids the "perfect combination of romance and edge," backstage at Alice + Olivia
Creatures of Comfort
Backstage at Creatures of Comfort, hairstylist Justine Marjan crafted loose braids that were secured with a single bobby pin—not an elastic (stick the pin straight up into the braid). "It almost looks like the hair is floating in a braid," she says. She also created all this texture without turning on a single curling iron; these are flat iron waves at their absolute prettiest. Marjan says that prepping the hair with mousse is essential to creating the perfect straightener waves. "Today we used the TRESemmé Extra Firm Control Mousse and it gave the hair a really good foundation. So that way it holds the style and has that memory," she says.
Hailey Baldwin
Hailey Baldwin upgraded her usual top knot by weaving two braids down the center while in Paris.
Olivia Culpo
The skater-inspired under-braid at Dior's spring 2017 show was one of the most replicated styles from fashion week. Here, Olivia Culpo does her take on the style during the New York shows.
JS Lee
Double braided buns had a Princess Leia quality backstage at JS Lee.
Jill Stuart
One baby braid on each side backstage at Jill Stuart.
Olivia Palermo
Olivia Palermo took some of the sweetness out of her black headband by pairing it with two French braids woven along her hairline.
Maison Martin Margiela
Bits of colorful string were braided throughout the hair backstage at Maison Martin Margiela (not unlike the kind you wore on that cruise when you were a child).
Valentino
There was a lot more look to be served up this season at Valentino compared to seasons past. Instead of a long, romantic braid—the hair was parted down the middle, and two micro braids were weaved along the hairline.
The perfect combination: Joan Smalls, half-up cornrows, moody purple lipstick, and a hooded ensemble from Rihanna's Fenty collection.
Christian Siriano
The fishtailed braid with bits of copper strung throughout was stunning (and unexpected) at Christian Sirianos fall show.
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