| Beauty
✨ Let’s get into it ✨
⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Forget flat hair—crimping just staged a massive comeback at NYFW! We’re trading crunchy 80s vibes for high-fashion, glossy zig-zags and Y2K-inspired textures that are officially main character energy.
The era of flat, boring hair is officially over because crimping has entered its main character moment. We are talking about those zig-zaggy waves we haven’t seen since our moms’ heyday or Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic Chanel runway moments nearly two decades ago. If you thought crimp irons were staying in the 1980s, New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 just proved us all wrong by making it the hottest trend on every single runway.
The Return Of Texture And Shine
This isn’t your dusty old hair gel vibe; it’s much more elevated than that. At Christian Siriano, hairstylist Lacy Redway worked with TRESemmé to create looks inspired by folklore and modern fairytales. Instead of crunchy textures, models sported shiny locks interrupted by delicate ridges and finished with a glossy sheen. Smooth hair is interrupted by delicate ridges and finished with a glossy, almost leather-like sheen, creating a look that feels both ethereal and fashion-forward. To get that reflective finish, stylists used the A-List Collection Bonding Oil and Lacquer Shine Spray.
💫 Smooth hair is interrupted by delicate ridges and finished with a glossy, almost leather-like sheen, creating a look that feels both ethereal and fashion-forward.
The texture obsession didn’t stop there. Anna Sui brought a total rockstar energy to the streets with Garren from R+Co, who styled models in oversized, glossy crimps using a three-barrel waving iron. Everything was locked into place with Cult Classic Flexible Hairspray for that perfect blend of grit and glamour. It’s giving major Sunset Strip glam mixed with an Art Nouveau painting aesthetic.
Y2K Meets Modern Edge
From bohemian vibes to high-fashion knots, the versatility of this trend is actually insane. Christian Cowan gave us “the siren slipknot” and “mermaid messy knot,” which were basically chic buns at the nape or crown featuring defined crimped sections. Hairstylist Justine Marjan told TRESemmé that combining soft bends with subtle crimps creates a finish that feels both nostalgic and rebellious.
We even saw some serious early-aughts rom-com energy at Caroline Zimbalist’s presentation. Aveda hairstylist Alaina Kathleen paired long, straight strands with crimped sections, while Burn Beauty founder Michelle Webb rounded out the look with pastel lids and glossy lips. Whether it’s the Y2K-worthy strands at Zimbalist or the blended textures at Anna Sui, crimping is officially back to stay.
Are you ready to break out your three-barrel waver, or is the zig-zag hair a little too much for you?
❓ People Also Ask
How did hairstylists achieve the crimped hair looks at New York Fashion Week?
Hairstylists achieved these modern crimped looks by using specialized tools like three-barrel waving irons and high-shine finishing products. For the Christian Siriano runway, stylists utilized bonding oil and lacquer shine spray to create delicate ridges with a glossy, leather-like sheen. At Anna Sui, Garren from R+Co used a three-barrel waving iron to create oversized, glossy crimps, securing the rockstar aesthetic with flexible hairspray to ensure the texture remained locked in place.
What are some ways to style crimped hair according to recent runway trends?
Recent runway trends suggest styling crimped hair through various versatile methods ranging from bohemian textures to high-fashion knots. Christian Cowan showcased sophisticated options like the siren slipknot and the mermaid messy knot, which feature defined crimped sections within chic buns at the crown or nape. Other styles include pairing long, straight strands with subtle crimped sections for a Y2K-inspired look or blending soft bends with crimps to create a finish that feels both nostalgic and rebellious.
Why is crimped hair making a comeback in fashion?
Crimped hair is making a major comeback because designers are moving away from flat, boring hair in favor of elevated texture and shine. The trend appeared prominently during New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027, where it was reimagined as a fashion-forward aesthetic rather than a dated style. Instead of the crunchy textures of the past, modern crimping focuses on creating delicate ridges and reflective finishes that evoke everything from folklore-inspired fairytales to a gritty, Sunset Strip rockstar energy.
What difference exists between old-fashioned crimping and the new crimp trend?
The modern crimping trend differs from previous eras by focusing on high-shine, polished finishes rather than the crunchy, stiff textures of the past. While older styles often felt dusty or unrefined, the new iteration emphasizes a glossy, almost leather-like sheen and a more sophisticated aesthetic. Stylists now use advanced products like bonding oils and lacquer sprays to ensure the zig-zaggy waves look ethereal and high-fashion, successfully blending nostalgic Y2K elements with a contemporary, rebellious edge.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: The Zoe Report