Cecilie Bahnsen's autumn/winter '24 woman may have grown up this season, but behind-the-scenes she was full of youthful gusto. Below, hair stylist Cim Mahony invites us backstage to discover the secret behind the Danish brand's enviable runway hair
Ever wondered what the lead up to a Paris fashion show is really like? For Cecilie Bahnsen and head hair stylist Cim Mahony, the process takes upwards nine hours. "We started the day early at 7am shooting a selection of the models," Mahony says.
The Cecilie Bahnsen look this season was all about sleek side-partings, a trend we've seen permeate most Paris runways. At Bahnsen, the team's gel of choice was 'Mascobado' from Less is More for "a smooth finish", in Mahony's words, "After smoothing the front, we pulled out pieces from the back and shaped them to help them move when the models walked down the catwalk," he explains.
For afro hair, the team used the wide-tooth comb attachment on the new 'Supersonic R' hairdryer from Dyson to prepare the hair for being braided. A "superb" drier according to the professionals. The hair was then braided by Samtou, the master braider and texture expert on Mahony's team, to replicate the sleek side part.
Below, step backstage to discover how Cecilie Bahnsen's woman evolved from her usual tousled curls to a more mature hair style:
Cecilie Bahnsen's runway this season was stark, with the exception of a single largescale apple sculpture in the middle of the runway. Photo: Jonah Pinny
Cim Mahony goes through the casting board with designer Cecilie Bahnsen to determine last minute corrections and individual adjustments to each model. Photo: Jonah Pinny
The look this season was all about sleek side-partings. Mahony's team used 'Mascobado' Gel from Less is More for a smooth finish.
After smoothing the front, Mahony pulled out pieces from the back and shaped them to move when the models walked down the catwalk. Photo: Jonah Pinny
Hair was secured with hairspray. "My go too is Superfine from Oribe," shares Mahony.
Mahony used the new Supersonic R hairdryer from Dyson. "It is a truly phenomenal hairdryer".
For afro hair, a wide-tooth comb attachment was used to prepare the hair for being braided, by stretching out the movement. Photo: Jonah Pinny
Our wonderful master braider and texture expert, Samtou was back from maternity leave, bringing magic to the side part braids .
Once hair had been braided it was stitched at the back for control. Photo: Jonah Pinny
The next step was covering the braids in a conditioning styling mousse for shine and hold.
"Finishing off with a do-rag and the supersonic R Hairdryer with a diffuser. Photo: Jonah Pinny
The pre-show walk through. Photo: Jonah Pinny
Photo: Jonah Pinny
Cim Mahony "finally" gets his stroll around the runway . Photo: Jonah Pinny
And it's show time. Photo: Jonah Pinny
Photo: Jonah Pinny
Designer Cecilie Bahnsen has her momnet in the spotlight, taking a bow. Photo: Jonah Pinny