Rainbow Hair

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Rainbow Hair
Rainbow Hair

They say “blondes have more fun” but this week on AnOther Loves we would have to disagree and have chosen to favour Dazed group project co-ordinator Felicity Shaw’s Rainbow Hair post – which scored most Loved of the week...

They say “blondes have more fun” but this week on AnOther Loves we would have to disagree and have chosen to favour Dazed group project co-ordinator Felicity Shaw’s Rainbow Hair post – which scored most Loved of the week.

Whilst pink hair has been having somewhat of a heyday lately – look no further than model-of-the moment Charlotte Free who ruled the runways for S/S12 with her pink hair that varied from fairy-floss to fuschia and AnOther contributing fashion editor Katie Shillingford’s pale pink wedding hair – we can’t get enough of this multicoloured French herringbone braid. Posted on Flickr by its owner, (to read her “how-to” click here), the vivid look is created by sectioning hair into pigtails and dying each segment a different colour including pillar box red, electric banana, boy blue, ultra violet and red passion, with the orange and green created by blending two of the dyes.

Recalling images of My Little Pony manes and troll hair there is something inherently playful about this choice of style. Employed by Yohji Yamamto for A/W11 who used a variety of multi-coloured wools to create the top hair look, Meadham Kirchoff for S/S11 and Comme des Garçons for S/S10 – rainbow hair has played a strong force in fashion for the past seasons. Here we speak to Shaw about her wildest hairstyle choices and her hairstyle icons.

What made you choose to Love it?
It’s just so colourful and quite an adventurous and brave look. Although, generally I am not into technicolour myself, I think the French braid looks very kaleidoscopic and beautiful.

What's the wildest hairstyle you’ve had?
When I took the plunge and cut my waist-length, naturally curly hair and chopped it into a Jean Seberg crop back in University. I then had a blueish tint applied. It was very “granny chic” and I did love it, but I am currently regretting my decision as now, my hair will not grow through years of bleach! I also used to wear wigs quite a lot, I had the same bob-shaped wig in black, pillar-box red and pink, like Scarlett Johansson's wig in Lost in Translation.

What colours have you dyed your hair?
I have dyed my hair every kind of blonde colour under the sun. My favourite was a peachy biscuit colour. I did have to dye my hair darker due to hair damage, but I'm slowly creeping back blonde – it's like an addiction, I know it's bad for me but I just can't help it!

Is it true that “blondes have more fun”?
For me, absolutely. I did not feel myself for weeks when I was a brunette and instantly felt so much happier when back to my natural blonde.

What are your thoughts about the recent pink hair trend?
I do love pink hair, but I am fairly particular about the shade. I would much prefer an all-over candyfloss pastel than dip-dyed fushia for example. I was a massive fan of the Chanel lilac and silvery stripes for couture S/S10 and the image of Kate Moss with sugary pink hair, on our A/W09 issue cover.

Who are your favourite hairstyle icons?
Definitely Bardot, Milla Jovovich in the Fifth Element, Audrey Tatou, Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta (so beautiful even with a shaved head), Daphne Guinness, Joanna Lumley circa 1976 with the original bowl cut, Dita Von Teese, Gwen Stefani, Louise Brooks...so many!

What’s your dream hairstyle?
Veruschka's flowing locks...I'd be Rapunzel if I could.

What’s the last hair product you bought?
Almond Oil. A friend recommended it to me, and I'm now a convert.

What’s your favourite online shop?
I am extremely happy about COS having an online shop now.

Suggested Reading: Kate Moss' Pink Hair in AnOther's Lovers.

Text by Lucia Davies