Both the ANN YEE and Gemma Kahng Spring/Summer 2013 Collection fashion shows had one thing in common: variations of the twisted hair knot! The ANN YEE show had the top knotted hair intertwined with rope and securely fastened to the back of the head, while the models at the Gemma Kahng show had braided knots situated low at the back — reminiscent of the traditional hair look of Amish women. Read on to find out how to achieve these looks and follow the step-by-step instructions from Nelson Vercher himself to achieve the same hair look from the Gemma Kahng show!

ANN YEE ’s Spring/Summer 2013 Collection is a reflection of the designer’s personal growth from loss and progression toward a new beginning. Ann found inspiration in the water and how weather manipulates a body of water. She became transfixed in how the sea goes from violent during harsh weather only to emerge changed and even more striking when the storm is over. A pile of old sea ropes and nets that were faded and frayed over time intrigued Ann immediately. The bold colors that were transformed into slightly muted shades or sun tie-dyed became the basis from which her 2013 Spring/Summer Collection bloomed.

Hair:

The hair was done by TIGI and consisted of a two-way parted, Geisha-inspired twist updo created by lead artist Nick Irwin. Knotted twine kept the look in place. TIGI used product to make the look appear wet throughout the presentation.

Makeup:
The make-up was done by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Bronze and hot pink eyeshadow lined the eyes with a bold pink lip.

Nails:
The nails were done by Nail Taxi with Cult Nail Polish and XX. The look was a warm pink color with matching pink caviar as an accent nail.

The Gemma Kahng show collection exuded femininity from exquisite floral and butterfly appliqués to sexy, strategic cutouts. “I wanted the girls to look like they had just stepped off a farm,” said designer Gemma Kahng. “We were going for a free-spirited look. Not fancy or stuffy.” Essential to the simple, yet beautifully crafted collection were the sleek, sculpted, braided hair looks designed by celebrity hairstylist Nelson Vercher of Rita Hazan Salon and Agent Oliver.

What delivered that edge: black headdresses reminiscent of the traditional bonnets worn by Amish women, but with a twist — there was no backing to the headdresses, which created a dramatic frame for the braided hair. To create the show-stopping style with a high-gloss finish, Nelson says, “I wanted to stay within the braiding world while pushing it forward and doing it big.” To achieve the look at home, follow these steps:

1. First, I applied a liberal amount of René Furterer Straightening Gel to dry hair and combed it through from roots to ends to help achieve the sleek, no-volume look we were going for. Using a blow dryer with a nozzle attachment, I then straightened hair in sections with a round brush.

Nelson Vercher

2. Next, I used a tail comb to make a clean and precise center part. After extensions were added to each section of hair to add length and fullness, I gathered hair into a tight ponytail as close to the nape and flat against the head as possible on each side of the part. Using a bungee cord, I tied the two ponytails together, making sure to keep the hair close to the head and leaving the center part intact.

3. I wanted a fresh take on the braid trend, so I separated the gathered hair into three parts and began crafting a sleek, not-too-tight, yet not loose thick braid and held it together with a clear elastic band. To add more dimension to the overall look, I also had several braided hair pieces on hand ready to be added into the hair.

4. To prepare the braided hair pieces, I combed through the hair with a small, round Mason Pearson brush smoothing any flyaways with René Furterer Styling Wax. This helped to create a clean, glossy plait that would seamlessly blend in with the model’s hair.

5. After braiding the model’s hair, I then wrapped a braided hair piece into a bun, and pinned it above the model’s main braid, which served as my base to begin sculpting the final look.

6. Making sure to keep all hair as close to the head as possible, I joined the braids together. But I carefully weaved and twisted the braided hair in and out of the base bun in several directions, holding everything together with hair pins, and adding in additional braided hair pieces if I felt the structure needed it. Above all, I wanted the braids to look like they weren’t just sitting on top of the head, but rather, flatter against the head for a sleeker, more sculpted look.

7. Finally, I misted hair with René Furterer Vegetal Finishing Spray to hold hair in place and to keep it as sleek as possible. The final piece of the puzzle was a black, floral-appliquéd Gemma Kahng headdress, which carefully framed the updo and capped off the whole country chic look. Farm girls have never looked sexier!

So, which hair looks will you be trying? Feeling a little country or knotty? Let us know by commenting below, which will automatically be posted to our Community Forum (click here to check it out!) where you can find other beauty related discussions! Don’t forget to also submit a photo to our Photo Of The Day (click here!) feature, where a new photo will be picked daily. Your photo just might be selected, so get going!

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