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Photos: Eleni & Chris.
As Official Hair Partners for the 6th season in a row, Eleni & Chris have been creating magic backstage for what feels like forever. As ORW26 quickly approaches, we look back on the runway hair we just can’t seem to forget (and really want to repeat).
Laila Pettersen, Creative Educator at Eleni & Chris, shares our attachment to these five iconic looks, created by the E&C teams for a variety of brands throughout the past years.
– I think these have become iconic because they have a very clear idea behind them, while still leaving room to be reinterpreted and developed further, she says.
They have a strong identity of their own, without feeling tied to a specific trend or season.
– That’s often what defines a great fashion look – you recognize it, but it can still feel fresh.
Eleni & Chris and their teams of hair stylists enjoy being an important part of the Oslo Runway fashion week for several reasons.
– The fact that Eleni & Chris have been Hair Partners year after year means that we get to be part of the development of Norwegian fashion over time. We get to see how the visual expressions evolve, while we as hair stylists can develop our own language and expertise within fashion and styling, she describes.
Adding how this is an important opportunity for the hair dressers to use their expertise outside of the salons, creating looks in collaboration with the designers – with the immense satisfaction of seeing the models in the final look leaving the backstage chaos and entering the runway.
– I think it’s about us getting to showcase the versatility of the hairdressing profession. Hair is not just a finishing touch – it’s an essential part of the storytelling and identity of a collection, Pettersen describes.
1. THE JELLY LOOK – PEARL OCTOPUSS.Y, 2023
– The Jelly Look is a modern take on the classic wet look, but with a darker, more organic feel. The inspiration came partly from gothic aesthetics and vampire references, but the aim was to make it feel fashion-forward and sophisticated rather than literal, explains Petterson.
She remembers it as a look that was quite intense to execute backstage. The finish had to be just right.
– There’s a lot of product involved and a lot of focus on detail, all while working under time pressure. But that’s also what makes it so exciting! When all the models come out with that same glossy, dark texture, the overall effect becomes incredibly strong, she says.
She admits that it’s among the look she would like to repeat:
– The Jelly Look is definitely one I’d love to do again, because it has become such a strong signature and still feels incredibly fashion-forward.
2. THE KNOTTED LOOP – AKS LABEL, 2025
The Knotted Loop is really about how much you can do with very little, Pettersen begins. A look that appears simple, but requires a lot of precision.
– The inspiration was Scandinavian minimalism – a clean, simple shape with subtle details making it feel considered and refined. The hair is gathered into a low ponytail, but the way it is twisted and looped back into itself creates an organic and slightly unexpected shape, she describes.
– When you have so few elements in the hair, every detail becomes visible. Hair length and thickness also make a big difference, so there were quite a few variables to work with – and it really put our skills to the test! But when you got it right, you really got it right. The result was so clean and satisfying, she remembers.
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3. MEMORY HAIR – ESP, 2025
Memory Hair was a sculptural look built around the idea of an imprint – as if something has been moulded into the hair, leaving a trace behind. Even the description sounds iconic…
– For those with straight hair, we worked with a smooth, controlled base, while allowing the natural texture of other models to become part of the expression. This created an interesting contrast between control, movement, and texture, Pettersen describes.
This look actually required quite a lot of practice and preparation beforehand.
– This hairstyle is essentially designed not to move, while a runway look needs to withstand the model walking. So much of our work was about finding the perfect balance: the hair needed to be flexible enough to move with the model, while falling back into place and retaining its shape, Pettersen shares.
According to Petterson, it’s one of the looks that has really stayed with her:
– It was more sculptural and experimental, with an exciting balance between structure and deconstruction. It’s the kind of look that makes me want to keep exploring and push the idea further!
4. OLD/NEW HOLLYWOOD – COHMÉ ATELIER, 2025
– Here, we drew inspiration from Old Hollywood and the classic men’s hairstyle, but wanted to give it a more modern, fashion-forward feel. The defined side-parting and glossy finish are clear references to classic glamour, while the silhouette and the way the hair was styled make the overall expression feel more contemporary and androgynous, she says.
The finish really meant everything for this look. The glossy surface and sharp shape had to be just right.
– It took quite a lot of product, and we had to sculpt and secure the look so that it stayed perfectly in place. All the clips had to be removed right before the models went out onto the runway! It was such a fun hairstyle to create, and the overall result was fantastic, Pettersen remembers.
5. ROMANTIC TEXTURE – MURLONG CRES, 2024
The hair had to feel like a natural part of the collection’s romantic expression.
– For models with natural curls, we focused on enhancing the texture they already had, while others were given loose braids and soft, flowing shapes. It was important that the hair felt light, natural, and slightly effortless, Pettersen describes.
She believes it opened up for a very creative and dynamic backstage process.
– The beauty of this kind of styling is that you work very individually. You can’t necessarily do exactly the same thing on every model. You have to look at the hair in front of you and figure out what will make that particular texture look its best, she shares.
And in not too long, we’ll know which hairstyles from ORW26 will become iconic.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to info@oslorunway.no.
