Nancy Jeffries, Contributing Editor02.22.16
Textured hair made an artistic statement at the Target-sponsored Texture on The Runway event, held February 13, 2016, at New York’s City Winery in Soho. Michelle Breyer, Founder and Head of Business Development, TextureMedia, and President and Co-Founder of NaturallyCurly.com, orchestrated an array of brands and presented a range of hairstyles representing style and empowerment for all the “curly girls” out there.
“Textured hair transcends ethnicities,” said Breyer, explaining how since the founding of Texture On The Runway in 2012, the event has gotten bigger and better, and brands are listening to what consumers want in the market. The runway event, which took place during Fashion Week in New York, showcased the latest trends, styles, and products for curls, coils, and waves.
“Texture on the Runway was created to put hair center stage. At our show we allow hair to dictate the fashion, rather than fashion to drive the hairstyle,” said Breyer. The TextureMedia platform empowers and inspires millions of textured-hair women to embrace their naturally beautiful selves.
Five top brands, including Au Naturale by Dark and Lovely, Cantu, Creme of Nature, Design Essentials, and Garnier, headlined the runway, debuting versatile looks for textured hair. The event provided an opportunity for each brand to present its products and unique point of view.
“We are thrilled to bring this event to New York Fashion Week again, highlighting creative, fashion-forward styles as interpreted by top brands and leading hair stylists. Our goal is to bring texture to life,” said Breyer.
Backstage Buzz
The show was preceded by a backstage visit to the L’Oreal Studio in Soho, to view firsthand, the preparation for the runway. Tommy Buckett, Celebrity Stylist, Garnier, demonstrated the just-launched curl line from Garnier, saying, “Garnier’s Curl Nourish Sulfate-Free Fortifying Shampoo, is the first mass, sulfate-free shampoo available at retail, formerly available only at salons. There was a need for curly girls to get the same benefit as the salon products offered. When we took out the sulfates, the results were curls that were clenched with moisture that behaved much better, with no frizz or flyaways.”
Garnier also launched Curl Nourish Fortifying Conditioner for dry, curly hair.
Buckett noted Garnier’s Butter Cream Curl Nourish Leave-In Treatment, for conditioning and shine; Curl Stretch Loosening Pudding, for tight, coarse hair needing flexibility and definition; and Curl Renew, a spray designed to reactivate, hydrate, and define the curl.
Dark and Lovely’s Celebrity Hairstylist and Hair Guru, Johnny Wright, prepared his models for the event, with a range of Dark and Lovely products.
“Au Naturale Dark and Lovely caters to natural hair,” said Wright. “It takes the guess work out. It provides hydration, is anti-shrinkage, and enhances curl definition for up to seven full days.”
He cited the newest addition to the line. “Our newest baby is Twice As Nice Curl Refresher. It makes curls look fresh and new,” said Wright. “Day old curls look brand new with Twice As Nice Curl Refresher,” Wright said.
Pat Williams, Brand Ambassador and Educator, Creme of Nature, one of the event sponsors said, “Texture on the Runway is perfect for us because we have a line of products for all textures of hair. We have collaborated with fashion designer, David de la Cruz, to bring a range of styles inspired by the fashions of the 1970s and1980s. They are modern, bold, powerful and fashionable, and we’re bringing the same inspiration to hair. This is how fashion and hair styles collide at Texture on The Runway,” said Williams.
“We have our new Wash Creme of Nature with Argan Oil Moisture and Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo, as well as Co-Wash Shampoo and Conditioner in one step. Our styling aids include Creme of Nature With Argan Oil Pudding Perfection, Creme of Nature Moisturizing Milk Masque, Styling Gel; and Creme of Nature Miracle Leave-In Treatment.” To tame edges around the hairline, Williams noted the new edge control product called, Perfect Edges Extra Hold with Argan Oil, and also highlighted the brand’s Conditioner Plus Shine, Anti-Humidity Gloss Shine Mist, and Smooth and Shine Polisher.
Cantu featured a wide range of products, highlighting need-based solutions, including Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant and Cantu Anti-Frizz Oil; while Design Essentials highlighted their Natural Curl Collection, including Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner and Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo, as well as the Coconut & Monoi Collection, including Deep Moisture Milk Souffle and Coconut & Monoi Coconut Water Curl Refresher.
Michelle Breyer, speaking backstage at L’Oreal Studio Soho discussed the impetus for the show, saying, “After coming to Fashion Week for a few years and seeing only a monolithic kind of beauty, our company was inspired to create Texture on The Runway. It has been great, and more and more relevant as more people have come to understand a multitude of beauty in all its forms.” Breyer recalled how she grew up hating her curly hair, and wanted to help women feel good about themselves. “We needed to be a counterpoint in what’s going on and this has been a very consumer-driven movement. It has resulted in women creating their own products, and consumers, brands, and retailers have listened.” She acknowledged how Target’s involvement had been instrumental, saying, “The fact that Target wanted to be involved was great. Target is now retailing with niche brands, listening to them, and merchandizing them in creative ways,” said Breyer.
On The Runway
The runway show opened with Breyer greeting attendees and welcoming them to the celebration, saying, “This is about brands taking consumers seriously. It’s amazing to see brands taking consumers’ concerns seriously and providing these products. Naturally Curly has been doing this for 18 years. A big thank you to Target for sponsoring this event and for realizing that texture transcends ethnicity.”
Breyer, along with co-host and co-emcee, Patrice Yursik of Afrobella.com, kicked off the runway festivities, announcing in order of appearance, the models wearing styles created by the brands’ stylists, and using products from, Au Naturale by Dark and Lovely Curl Power, exemplifying the versatility of natural hair and telling the story with coils, braids, and curls; followed by Marie Antoinette of Cantu Hair Care, with the Multitasker and Traveler styles; Crème of Nature, introduced by Pat Williams, Brand Ambassador and Educator; Design Essentials, waging the “war on dryness,” and last on the runway, styles by Garnier, with celebrity stylist, Johnny Buckett.
Hair as fashion held attendees in thrall, as the models danced their way down the runway in an extravaganza of innovative hair creations. Target, which was the exclusive retail sponsor of the event, was joined by supporting sponsors Curls, Curly Hair Solutions, Jane Carter, ORS, As I Am, Aphogee, Carol’s Daughter, Ecoco, Fantasia, Luster and Milani Cosmetics, the exclusive color cosmetics partner providing all the makeup services for the event. Additional information may be found at: www.TextureOnTheRunway.com.
“Textured hair transcends ethnicities,” said Breyer, explaining how since the founding of Texture On The Runway in 2012, the event has gotten bigger and better, and brands are listening to what consumers want in the market. The runway event, which took place during Fashion Week in New York, showcased the latest trends, styles, and products for curls, coils, and waves.
“Texture on the Runway was created to put hair center stage. At our show we allow hair to dictate the fashion, rather than fashion to drive the hairstyle,” said Breyer. The TextureMedia platform empowers and inspires millions of textured-hair women to embrace their naturally beautiful selves.
Five top brands, including Au Naturale by Dark and Lovely, Cantu, Creme of Nature, Design Essentials, and Garnier, headlined the runway, debuting versatile looks for textured hair. The event provided an opportunity for each brand to present its products and unique point of view.
“We are thrilled to bring this event to New York Fashion Week again, highlighting creative, fashion-forward styles as interpreted by top brands and leading hair stylists. Our goal is to bring texture to life,” said Breyer.
Backstage Buzz
The show was preceded by a backstage visit to the L’Oreal Studio in Soho, to view firsthand, the preparation for the runway. Tommy Buckett, Celebrity Stylist, Garnier, demonstrated the just-launched curl line from Garnier, saying, “Garnier’s Curl Nourish Sulfate-Free Fortifying Shampoo, is the first mass, sulfate-free shampoo available at retail, formerly available only at salons. There was a need for curly girls to get the same benefit as the salon products offered. When we took out the sulfates, the results were curls that were clenched with moisture that behaved much better, with no frizz or flyaways.”
Garnier also launched Curl Nourish Fortifying Conditioner for dry, curly hair.
Buckett noted Garnier’s Butter Cream Curl Nourish Leave-In Treatment, for conditioning and shine; Curl Stretch Loosening Pudding, for tight, coarse hair needing flexibility and definition; and Curl Renew, a spray designed to reactivate, hydrate, and define the curl.
Dark and Lovely’s Celebrity Hairstylist and Hair Guru, Johnny Wright, prepared his models for the event, with a range of Dark and Lovely products.
“Au Naturale Dark and Lovely caters to natural hair,” said Wright. “It takes the guess work out. It provides hydration, is anti-shrinkage, and enhances curl definition for up to seven full days.”
He cited the newest addition to the line. “Our newest baby is Twice As Nice Curl Refresher. It makes curls look fresh and new,” said Wright. “Day old curls look brand new with Twice As Nice Curl Refresher,” Wright said.
Pat Williams, Brand Ambassador and Educator, Creme of Nature, one of the event sponsors said, “Texture on the Runway is perfect for us because we have a line of products for all textures of hair. We have collaborated with fashion designer, David de la Cruz, to bring a range of styles inspired by the fashions of the 1970s and1980s. They are modern, bold, powerful and fashionable, and we’re bringing the same inspiration to hair. This is how fashion and hair styles collide at Texture on The Runway,” said Williams.
“We have our new Wash Creme of Nature with Argan Oil Moisture and Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo, as well as Co-Wash Shampoo and Conditioner in one step. Our styling aids include Creme of Nature With Argan Oil Pudding Perfection, Creme of Nature Moisturizing Milk Masque, Styling Gel; and Creme of Nature Miracle Leave-In Treatment.” To tame edges around the hairline, Williams noted the new edge control product called, Perfect Edges Extra Hold with Argan Oil, and also highlighted the brand’s Conditioner Plus Shine, Anti-Humidity Gloss Shine Mist, and Smooth and Shine Polisher.
Cantu featured a wide range of products, highlighting need-based solutions, including Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant and Cantu Anti-Frizz Oil; while Design Essentials highlighted their Natural Curl Collection, including Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner and Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo, as well as the Coconut & Monoi Collection, including Deep Moisture Milk Souffle and Coconut & Monoi Coconut Water Curl Refresher.
Michelle Breyer, speaking backstage at L’Oreal Studio Soho discussed the impetus for the show, saying, “After coming to Fashion Week for a few years and seeing only a monolithic kind of beauty, our company was inspired to create Texture on The Runway. It has been great, and more and more relevant as more people have come to understand a multitude of beauty in all its forms.” Breyer recalled how she grew up hating her curly hair, and wanted to help women feel good about themselves. “We needed to be a counterpoint in what’s going on and this has been a very consumer-driven movement. It has resulted in women creating their own products, and consumers, brands, and retailers have listened.” She acknowledged how Target’s involvement had been instrumental, saying, “The fact that Target wanted to be involved was great. Target is now retailing with niche brands, listening to them, and merchandizing them in creative ways,” said Breyer.
On The Runway
The runway show opened with Breyer greeting attendees and welcoming them to the celebration, saying, “This is about brands taking consumers seriously. It’s amazing to see brands taking consumers’ concerns seriously and providing these products. Naturally Curly has been doing this for 18 years. A big thank you to Target for sponsoring this event and for realizing that texture transcends ethnicity.”
Breyer, along with co-host and co-emcee, Patrice Yursik of Afrobella.com, kicked off the runway festivities, announcing in order of appearance, the models wearing styles created by the brands’ stylists, and using products from, Au Naturale by Dark and Lovely Curl Power, exemplifying the versatility of natural hair and telling the story with coils, braids, and curls; followed by Marie Antoinette of Cantu Hair Care, with the Multitasker and Traveler styles; Crème of Nature, introduced by Pat Williams, Brand Ambassador and Educator; Design Essentials, waging the “war on dryness,” and last on the runway, styles by Garnier, with celebrity stylist, Johnny Buckett.
Hair as fashion held attendees in thrall, as the models danced their way down the runway in an extravaganza of innovative hair creations. Target, which was the exclusive retail sponsor of the event, was joined by supporting sponsors Curls, Curly Hair Solutions, Jane Carter, ORS, As I Am, Aphogee, Carol’s Daughter, Ecoco, Fantasia, Luster and Milani Cosmetics, the exclusive color cosmetics partner providing all the makeup services for the event. Additional information may be found at: www.TextureOnTheRunway.com.