From chic Sassoon cuts to undone rock star styling, here’s a look back at how hairstyles from decades gone by are framing the trends of today and beyond.
On Trend
Hippie Hair: Minimalist to the core, long, mid-parted “natural” hair went mainstream in the early ’70s, following in the footsteps of the Summer of Love hippie looks from 1969 and huge counterculture youth movements riddled with protests against the war in Vietnam. Both men and women embraced the look, but a true hippie hairstyle always had some sort of ornament, such as a flower or macramé headband.
Fashion Icon: Singer Cher
The Shag: Embodied the loose, casual mood of the ’70s (along with bell-bottoms and exaggerated platforms) with its bedhead effect and choppy layers that looked so effortlessly cool. For a typical shag, hair was generally cut between chin and shoulder length. Was one of the favourite styles for rockers and would-be rebels. Was sometimes confused with the Gypsy, where hair was also cut in layers and tousled.
Fashion Icon: Actress Jane Fonda and singer Stevie Nicks
The Wedge: Created by legendary hairstylist Trevor Sorbie, somewhat by mistake. According to Trevor, “I was trying to do a one-length cut and make the perimeter like a helmet. I didn’t think the French would like it, as it wasn’t feminine enough, so I blow-dried it and brushed it off [the model’s] face and it just happened.” This became an iconic style for the club kids of the ’70s grooving to the disco beat on the dance floor.
Fashion Icon: Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill
Music Mix:
• “The Candy Man” Sammy Davis, Jr., 1972
• “Bohemian Rhapsody” Queen, 1975
• “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees, 1978
• “I Will Survive” Gloria Gaynor, 1979
Photos: Hair Director: Caterina Di Biase and team for Heading Out Hair and Beauty Australia; Makeup: Kylie O’Toole; Styling: Elaine Marshall; Photo: Andrew O’Toole; Keystone Press Agency
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