Chanel Looked to ‘Hairspray’ and Jane Fonda for Beauty Inspiration


As a rule, Chanel’s fashion shows generally have nothing to do with being basic and everything to do with over-the-top epicness. Case in point: the French brand’s Paris Fashion Week fall/winter 2017 runway. For starters, a rocket ship “launched” at the beginning of the intergalactic extravaganza. No, it did not break through the Grand Palais’s glass ceiling, but yes, it did serve as a literal (and expensive, reportedly around $80,000) embodiment of the space theme, which was so on point, it even included the models’ beauty look.

To launch things, the Hadid sisters, Kendall Jenner, and other famous figures took their positions and gracefully glided along the runway with big, Barbie-like hair (coincidentally — or not! — National Barbie Day is on Thursday).

Jane Fonda on the set of Barbarella, based on the comic by Jean-Claude Forest and directed by Roger Vadim. (Photo by Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images)
Jane Fonda on the set of Barbarella, based on the comic by Jean-Claude Forest and directed by Roger Vadim. (Photo by Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images)

However, according to Sam McKnight, the show’s lead hairstylist, the look was actually “a nod to the ultimate space age icon,” Barbarella, a space agent played by Jane Fonda in the 1968 film of the same name. “Karl [Lagerfeld] wanted a strong silhouette — the ’60s headbands and makeup demanded a big, gravity-defying shape — so Chanelarella was born,” he told Vogue.

#CHANELGroundControl #CHANELFallWinter #PFW

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial) on Mar 7, 2017 at 5:10am PST

Creating the look required teasing the hair up and brushing it over and back to get lots of volume. Through McKnight’s many “Modern Hairspray” hashtags used on his backstage Instagram pics, it’s safe to assume lots of his namesake line (coming soon) was used to style and hold the super high hair in place. For some extra flair, each model also accessorized with a bejeweled or leather headband.

While the bouffant’s not currently trending, McKnight noted that with a few tweaks the style could definitely be “adapted for a more down-to-earth look.”

Aligning seamlessly with the hair, Tom Pecheux, the show’s lead makeup artist, kept attention on the eyes by heavily coating the bottom lashes for a baby-doll effect. He also traced black eyeliner just above the crease of the lid on top of a foggy white wash of eye shadow as the base. There was a touch of rose-dusted blush applied to the cheeks, and lips were left soft by painting them a pink hue.

Everyone looked out of this world, right? Pun definitely intended.

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