Yesterday, backstage at Sophie Théallet, Didier Malige, created gorgeous après-swim chignons to complement Sophie Théallet’s La Piscine-inspired collection. La Piscine, or The Swimming Pool, is an emotionally charged 1969 film set in a St. Tropez villa.
Didier has styled the hair for dozens of Vogue covers, W magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair and more. He has a style about his that just oozes passion and creativity. He instantly commands respect and you know he takes his work very seriously. It was very cool to meet him.
“The hair is that of a girl who has just gone swimming, as if she has offhandedly pulled her hair back in a chignon and just left it to dry. It reflects a nonchalant sensuality, her natural and understated sophistication.” —Didier Malige for Aveda
Here's how he did it! Watch the video below to see it in action:
-Brush hair away from the face with fingers, while working Aveda Pure Abundance Potion throughout to texturize.
-Pull hair back with hands, gathering at the back of the head as if to pull into a ponytail.
-Twist hair and coil into a loose bun, fasten with bobby pins.
-Pat a generous amount of Aveda Men Pure-Formance Grooming Clay and Aveda Control Paste onto the head, massaging and scrunching to create a matte, wet-and-dried texture.
-Smooth sides very close to head and leave a little volume on top.
Didier on his inspiration:
“Sophie’s collection is inspired by La Piscine, it’s elegant, chic, pretty. I wanted the hair to also express an understated refinement, an instinctual sensuality.”
How can a woman re-create this look at home?
“This is a very wearable look for any woman. Choose your favorite texturizing product like, Aveda Control Paste, and apply throughout the hair. Then pull hair back into a bun and secure with bobby pins. Massage in additional Control Paste until you achieve the desired texture.”
From Sophie, on the inspiration for the collection:
“I took my inspiration for this collection from La Piscine by Jacques Deray, a film ripe with sexual tension and ambiguity. It is about a woman who is desirable and desired. I created for her clothing that is luxurious, sensual and nonchalant. As always, I love to play with colors that don’t normally “match" to create unusual association that allows us to see them in a new light.” – Sophie Théallet
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