London Fashion Week returns for its September 2026 season from Thursday 17th to Monday 21st September, organised by the British Fashion Council. This season’s SS27 schedule includes McQueen’s return to London Fashion Week for the first time under creative director Seán McGirr, Christopher Kane’s debut collection for Mulberry, and returning shows from Burberry, Erdem, Simone Rocha and Roksanda.
Fashion Week isn’t just about what’s on the rail, it’s one of the biggest hair moments of the year. The techniques seen on the runway and backstage often filter into wider hair trends and salon requests in the months that follow. Our stylists have tracked the backstage trends across the last two London Fashion Weeks, and here’s where we think the season’s heading – plus the styling tips to bring a little of that runway edge home.
Top Hair Trends Predicted for London Fashion Week 2026
Glass hair is an ultra-straight, high-shine finish so sleek it looks almost liquid. We expect it to be one of the season’s biggest carry-overs: it closed out AW26 at Chet Lo, where stylist Anna Cofone for Authentic Beauty Concept created ultra-straight, glass-like lengths that drew on the silhouette of traditional Peking Opera headwear, and we’re anticipating a rise in glossed, sculptural finishes more broadly – Paul Costelloe’s sleek chignons at AW26, styled by Cos Sakkas for TONI&GUY, are a good indicator of where this is heading.
Set against that polish is a weathered, undone texture trend that’s just as strong. At Simone Rocha’s AW26 show, hairstylist Anthony Turner created wind-swept, travel-worn textures, while at Naomi Hart, Narad Kutowaroo for UNITE Haircare styled distressed fishtail braids that leant playful rather than precise – undone in a way that still felt deliberate. This season, expect the two directions – high-shine polish and lived-in texture – to sit side by side rather than one dominating.
Nostalgic silhouettes are having a moment too. Tolu Coker’s AW26 show, styled by Efi Davies for TONI&GUY, brought structured, 1990s-inspired flicked bobs and low ponytails, while Paul Costelloe’s SS26 show (Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY) leant into 1960s-inspired beehives reminiscent of Sharon Tate. We expect this season to keep referencing the past, but with a modern, wearable edge rather than a costume one.
Runway & Backstage Hair Inspiration from Recent London Fashion Weeks
The last two London Fashion Weeks give a clear sense of where the season is heading.
At AW26 (February 2026), the standout hair moments included Simone Rocha’s weathered, narrative-driven textures (Anthony Turner), Chet Lo’s glass-hair finish (Anna Cofone, Authentic Beauty Concept), Naomi Hart’s distressed fishtail braids (Narad Kutowaroo, UNITE Haircare), and Paul Costelloe’s glossed, architectural chignons (Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY).
At SS26 (September 2025), Dreaming Eli’s show introduced the “love-me knot” – a romantic, textured crown braid with loose wisps, styled by Danilo Giangreco for Revlon Professional – while Paul Costelloe brought voluminous, 1960s-inspired beehives (Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY) and Di Petsa showed sea-salted, worn-in textures styled by Efi Davies for TONI&GUY.
Taken together, these two seasons show two strong directions emerging in London: polished, sculptural hair on one side and softer, deliberately lived-in texture on the other. For SS27, we expect the more undone direction to develop further, while glass-like shine and structured finishes provide its polished counterpoint.
Expert Styling Tips to Recreate Fashion Week Hair
Both of this season’s key trends rely on the right prep, just in different directions. For the glass-hair, high-shine look, Rush stylists frequently recommend a smoothing serum and a strong heat protectant, followed by a mirror-finish glossing product to lock out frizz. For the weathered, undone texture trend, a texturising sea-salt spray or a matte clay worked through mid-lengths gives the lived-in finish without looking unstyled.
If you want to try a simplified version of the glass-hair look at home, here’s a routine to follow:
- Apply a lightweight smoothing serum to damp hair before blow-drying, working from mid-lengths to ends
- Blow-dry with a paddle brush, following the hair’s natural direction to avoid creating unwanted texture
- Once dry, run a flat iron through small sections for a sleek, mirror-like finish
- Gather the hair into a low, smooth ponytail or leave it loose, depending on the occasion
- Finish with a glossing oil applied in a downward motion, so light reflects cleanly along the hair
Fashion week-worthy hair is achievable whatever your texture. If you have frizz-prone hair and want the glass-hair finish, a smoothing treatment beforehand will make a real difference. Fine hair takes to the weathered, undone trend particularly well with just a texturising spray or dry shampoo at the roots, while thicker or curlier textures aiming for a sleek finish should use appropriate heat protection and avoid excessive heat or tension during styling.
How London Fashion Week Will Influence Everyday and Street Style Hair
London Fashion Week’s influence isn’t confined to the catwalk. The street style spotted outside the shows each season is its own trend engine, often translating runway ideas into something far more wearable before they reach the high street.
You’re unlikely to wear a full backstage look to the office, but the essence of each trend translates well into everyday styling. A smoothing serum and a few minutes with a flat iron brings a low-key version of glass hair into daily wear, while the “love-me knot” makes a genuinely low-maintenance going-out style. Gather, twist, and let a few pieces fall loose. Ask your stylist about either at your next visit – they’ll be able to fit it to your hair type.
Book an Appointment at Rush Hair
If you’re drawn to this season’s glossy, sculptural glass hair or to its softer, more textured counterpoint, our stylists can help you translate a little of that London Fashion Week edge into your everyday look. Book a consultation at your nearest Rush salon and let’s find the version of this season’s trends that suits you.
FAQ's
When and where is London Fashion Week 2026?
London Fashion Week’s September 2026 season runs from Thursday 17th to Monday 21st September, organised by the British Fashion Council in London. It showcases the Spring/Summer 2027 collections from designers including McQueen, Mulberry, Burberry and Simone Rocha.
What hair trends are expected at London Fashion Week 2026?
We’re expecting two key directions to dominate: ultra-sleek, high-shine “glass hair,” and softer, weathered, lived-in textures such as distressed braids and undone waves, alongside nostalgic silhouettes like 1960s-inspired beehives and 1990s flicked bobs.
How can I recreate London Fashion Week hair at home?
For the season’s glass-hair trend, a smoothing serum, a strong heat protectant, and a flat iron worked through small sections will get you close, finished with a glossing oil for shine. For the softer, undone trend, a texturising sea-salt spray or matte clay through the lengths gives a lived-in finish without heat styling.
