Ursula Stephen, her treasured hands, and her TRESemme toolkit struck again just hours after creating hair magic at Maki Oh during New York Fashion Week. The lead for the hair at Studio 189, a brand founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrimah Erwiah in 2013, Stephen is shaping some of the hair trends we expect to see in the coming seasons.
“Having different pieces and extensions gives you options. It’s how I keep it interesting. I’m just making it up today and getting creative with different shapes,” she told ESSENCE. “That’s what I love about natural hair. You can do so many cool shapes and just have fun with it. You can never get bored with creating shapes. {For this show} I’m keeping the cultural aspect of the collection with the hair, and keeping it high fashion.”
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While the glitter colored brows were an impactful part of the beauty look, it was the large and over the top hair that really stood out. There were bantu knots formed out of micro-braids, faux locs twisted into geometric shapes, locs shaped into mushroom cuts, and reverse braids with afro bangs, just to name a few.
“I think the reverse cornrow is so cool I would love it to be everywhere. That’s how you switch it up. You change the direction, play with the parting, and keep having fun with it,” Stephen finished.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Rosario Dawson and Hair Expert Ursula Stephen (R) pose with Model Damaris Lewis backstage for TRESemme at Studio 189 during NYFW on September 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for TRESemme)
And if the hair wasn’t fun enough, the runway show to spotlight it was like a big party in Lagos, or Accra, or Bamako, or Ouagadougou. Erwiah’s West African background shined through in every way, from the prints in the clothing to the representation of the models. We haven’t see this much texture on the runway since, well, Texture On The Runway. It’s a beautiful thing when Black hair in its natural state and any other forms it takes on can be celebrated and highlighted as aspirational beauty.
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Stephen is hoping that reverse cornrows with an afro bang will be trending in the upcoming seasons.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model with fresh curls and geometric top twists poses for the cameras backstage.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Big hair, bright nails, and vibrant makeup came together to create a dynamic beauty look for the runway show.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Model Damaris Lewis walks the runway with a sky high afro full of curls.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Curls were manipulated and shaped into stunning styles at Studio 189.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Micro-braids were twisted into Bantu knots for one of the hair looks for the runway show.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Shaped faux locs gave this model a peacock strut both backstage and on the runway.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images for TRESemme
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model’s curls are twisted into large Bantu knots before the show.
Shalwah Evans
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model walks the runway with her natural curls shaped into a unique style.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Cornrows were reversed, up, down, and styled to perfection for the Studio 189 fashion show.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A male model hits the runway with his locs shaped into the perfect mushroom cut.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model gives a side view of her creative braided and textured style.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Models take photos backstage showcasing their hair and clothing just before hitting the runway.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Bantu knots are sure to be on trend well into the fall and winter seasons.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Ursula Stephen and her team use TRESemme products to style models’ hair for the runway show.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Hair that reached up to the sky was part of the beauty looks at Studio 189.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A large reverse braid takes the center, parting this press right down the middle.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for NYFW
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model gets her hair done for the Studio 189 runway show.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model poses backstage with cornrows and colored winged liner for Studio 189.
Shalwah Evans
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
Natural curls were highlighted and celebrated for the Studio 189 runway.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model shows off her luminous skin and back of her curly ‘fro backstage.
Paige Ricks
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The Hair At Studio 189 – NYFW
A model gives a front view of her asymmetrical afro backstage at Studio 189.
