The grey hair trend of 2010
August 19th 2010 05:27
One of the most unique hair trends to have emerged in recent months seems to have turned our society's obsession with youth on its head... literally! Once the domain of our grandmothers, grey hair has now become one of the most sought-after looks of the year. Stars like Pixie Geldof, Pink and Lady Gaga were among the first to go grey, and silver tresses have been spotted on the catwalks of several top fashion designers as well. Most recently, Italian Vogue featured 45-year-old supermodel Kristen McMenamy in a photo shoot with a somewhat startling - but still incredibly chic - mane of very long, very straight and very (very!) grey hair.
"You can get older and still be rock'n'roll," McMenamy told Vogue. "I thought all that grey hair would make a beautiful picture."
And she's not the only one who thinks so. Celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss have also let their grey shine through of late (though Kidman is still not giving up on the Botox). In many ways, the embracing of their hair's natural ageing process could be seen as a rebellion against the confines of a world that demands its celebrities be forever young.
Nicola Moulton, the beauty and health director at UK Vogue, tends to agree. "I think there's beginning to be a backlash to this eternal quest for anti-ageing that has led to so many celebrities looking falsely nipped, tucked and squeezed," she said.
"Stopping at nothing to look just a few years younger is starting to look dated itself... which is why I think we're seeing models and younger celebrities embracing things like wrinkles and a smattering of grey. The bottom line is, it doesn't stop a woman looking beautiful - on the contrary, it just makes her look more attractive by speaking volumes for her confidence."
What makes 2010's grey hair trend most interesting, however, is that despite its gradual acceptance among older celebs, it's the younger women who are really pushing it forward. Pixie Geldof - who turns 20 next month - was one of the first to colour her locks a shocking silver, and since then we've seen a rash of stars aged thirty and under who have evoked the hairstylings of their nannas (but with a distinct rock star twist).
This celebrity factor, combined with the appearance of grey-haired models on catwalks as diverse as those of Gareth Pugh, Lanvin, Proenza Schouler and Calvin Klein, has resulted in a significant demand for the colour in salons around the world.
"The trend for grey hair we are seeing more and more was inspired from the spring/summer 2010 catwalks and we have seen a trickle-down effect to high street salons across the UK," said respected London hairdresser Daniel Galvin Junior. "In our hair colour clinic we have seen a significant increase in the amount of our younger clientele asking for grey colour. The great thing about this trend is that it is making grey hair more versatile."
And Aussie hairstylists agree. John Elliot, of Elliot Hair Studio in South Yarra, says that silver and lavender rinses, as well as bold grey highlights, have become increasingly popular among his Gen Y customers.
''It's one of the strongest fashion statements I've seen come out in recent years,'' Elliot said. ''It's so refreshing to see that Aussie blonde look given an edgy twist. The wonderful thing is you can have the silver look as a fashion statement for a week or two, then wash it out. It's not permanent.''
However, Elliot warns that this trend will not look fabulous on everyone. ''Some people look terrible with grey hair,'' he said. ''You have to use your professional judgment.''
1990s supermodel Kristen McMenamy goes for grey in the August 2010 issue of Italian Vogue magazine.
"You can get older and still be rock'n'roll," McMenamy told Vogue. "I thought all that grey hair would make a beautiful picture."
And she's not the only one who thinks so. Celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss have also let their grey shine through of late (though Kidman is still not giving up on the Botox). In many ways, the embracing of their hair's natural ageing process could be seen as a rebellion against the confines of a world that demands its celebrities be forever young.
Nicola Moulton, the beauty and health director at UK Vogue, tends to agree. "I think there's beginning to be a backlash to this eternal quest for anti-ageing that has led to so many celebrities looking falsely nipped, tucked and squeezed," she said.
"Stopping at nothing to look just a few years younger is starting to look dated itself... which is why I think we're seeing models and younger celebrities embracing things like wrinkles and a smattering of grey. The bottom line is, it doesn't stop a woman looking beautiful - on the contrary, it just makes her look more attractive by speaking volumes for her confidence."
Kate Moss and Nicole Kidman are two of many stars who have shown a touch of grey.
What makes 2010's grey hair trend most interesting, however, is that despite its gradual acceptance among older celebs, it's the younger women who are really pushing it forward. Pixie Geldof - who turns 20 next month - was one of the first to colour her locks a shocking silver, and since then we've seen a rash of stars aged thirty and under who have evoked the hairstylings of their nannas (but with a distinct rock star twist).
Kelly Osbourne, Ruby Rose, Pink, and Pixie Geldof have all sported grey hair in 2010.
This celebrity factor, combined with the appearance of grey-haired models on catwalks as diverse as those of Gareth Pugh, Lanvin, Proenza Schouler and Calvin Klein, has resulted in a significant demand for the colour in salons around the world.
"The trend for grey hair we are seeing more and more was inspired from the spring/summer 2010 catwalks and we have seen a trickle-down effect to high street salons across the UK," said respected London hairdresser Daniel Galvin Junior. "In our hair colour clinic we have seen a significant increase in the amount of our younger clientele asking for grey colour. The great thing about this trend is that it is making grey hair more versatile."
Lady Gaga on the cover of Vanity Fair's September 2010 issue
And Aussie hairstylists agree. John Elliot, of Elliot Hair Studio in South Yarra, says that silver and lavender rinses, as well as bold grey highlights, have become increasingly popular among his Gen Y customers.
''It's one of the strongest fashion statements I've seen come out in recent years,'' Elliot said. ''It's so refreshing to see that Aussie blonde look given an edgy twist. The wonderful thing is you can have the silver look as a fashion statement for a week or two, then wash it out. It's not permanent.''
However, Elliot warns that this trend will not look fabulous on everyone. ''Some people look terrible with grey hair,'' he said. ''You have to use your professional judgment.''
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Comment by angelbird72
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My aunty is always telling me I should dye it, but I love it. I have dark to medium brown hair and I think the silvery bits look really nice in the sun.
Comment by Journeywoman
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My mother used to colour her grey hair a champagne blonde and it never looked quite right, as she was a natural brunette before the greys came in. A few years back she decided to just let it be, and it looks gorgeous now, in my opinion... shiny and silver rather than parched blonde.
I reckon it looks really edgy on younger women too, especially with a bit of blue or lavender thrown into the mix. Quite possibly the most awesome hair trend I've seen in ages.
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