This Platinum Blonde Model Just Went Atomic Orange at the Moschino x H&M Show
During the fittings yesterday for tonight’s Moschino x H&M show in New York, top model Soo Joo Park let slip that she was considering ditching her trademark platinum blonde hair color for neon orange in the near future. And once word got around to designer Jeremy Scott, Park’s Manic Panic makeover was as good as done.
“It’s always a weird thing when you have a signature look and then you try to change it,” explained Park backstage, her bright citrus dye job just three hours old. “There’s some trepidation at first. But I’ve had so many ups and downs with bleaching it, I felt brave enough to try it.”
The colorist behind the Korean-born, California-raised model’s new acidic hue was none other than Aura Friedman, who first blanched Park’s dark lengths six years ago. “There’s definitely The Fifth Element vibes,” said Park, referring to Luc Besson’s 1997 cult classic film while running her fingers through the curtain of fringe grazing the fierce feline flicks drawn on by makeup artist Pat McGrath. “It’s one of my favorite movies and Milla Jovovich looks so amazing in it.” But while her richly pigmented shade was reminiscent of the distinctive hue belonging to the sci-fi classic’s heroine, Leeloo, it was ultimately bespoke to Park, from the warm undertones to the color-blocked effect created by the chunky black lowlights at the nape of her neck. “My skin has yellow undertones, so we went with a more reddish orange,” she said of the customized shade.
Park’s new look was in keeping with the high-octane, above-the-neck mood of the show with its lineup of ultra-vivid hairstyles dreamed up by hairstylist Jimmy Paul, beginning with the waist-grazing braids woven with candy-color extensions and ending with high-top fades trimmed with high-wattage tangerine and lemon. “Neon is definitely [having a moment] right now, but there’s also this rave culture vibe to it,” explained Paul, nodding to Scott’s club kid roots.
Fans seem destined to vie for Moschino x H&M’s Minnie Mouse sweatshirt dresses, sequined parkas, and denim overalls—but as for those who wish to capture the hotly anticipated collaboration’s renegade spirit and skip the lines while they’re at it? They’d do well to simply pick up a jar of Manic Panic. After all, “It’s only hair,” says Park with a smile. “You can always dye it back.”
