At Milan Fashion Week, inside the storied halls of the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, GIADA presented a Fall/Winter 2026 collection rooted in purity, restraint, and architectural femininity. Inspired by the orchid—resilient, sculptural, enigmatic—GIADA Creative Director Gabriele Colangelo sent out fluid tailoring, sculpted shoulders, and a palette defined by chromatic control.
But it was the hair that quietly signalled a larger shift for 2026. Created by Hair Director and KEVIN.MURPHY Pro Ambassador Eugene Souleiman, the look was a masterclass in 90s minimalism, reinterpreted with satin texture and controlled movement to create a disciplined elegance that feels set to influence both editorial and everyday styles this year.
The 2026 Trends: Sculpted, Combed-Back Minimalism
The past few seasons have capitalised on texture from shags to undone waves and visible air-dry finishes. Heading into Fall/Winter 2026, we’ll see a shift where hair is moving backward. Literally.
At GIADA, strands were combed away from the face and tucked neatly behind the ears, revealing bone structure and head shape. The effect was aerodynamic yet soft for a polished finish without looking overly lacquered.
Souleiman described the mood as a modern take on 90s restraint with minimal, chic, and quiet but powerful energy. It’s less about he iconic 90s supermodel blowout and more Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy energy. And after seasons of big statements and lived-in texture, this feels like a deliberate pause at exactly the right time.
Satin Texture > High Gloss
One of the most notable details backstage was how texture was achieved. Instead of traditional volumising or high-hold techniques, Souleiman used BODY.BUILDER in an unconventional way — painting it into the hairline rather than using it to amplify body. When left to dry naturally, it created a soft, satin hair finish. “We didn’t use it to create body,” he says. “We used it because when it dries naturally, it gives this incredibly beautiful satin finish. You get shine, but it’s not glossy or hard. It feels real,” he adds.
To enhance that lived-in polish, lengths were treated with STAYING.ALIVE for silkiness and smooth control, then finished with a veil of SHIMMER.SHINE just before the runway to add light-reflective movement without disturbing the structure.
This resulted in controlled movement— a style that will likely dominate backstage conversations and influence salon styling this year.
The Low Bun, Reconsidered
Rather than a tight chignon or sleek knot, the hair was gathered low from the mid-lengths and folded into a contained bun. A subtle sprout of hair emerged giving a small but deliberate detail that softened the discipline.
“We didn’t want it to look stuck to the head or too perfect.” Said Souleiman. “There’s a softness to this look. It’s groomed — very groomed — but it’s not uptight. It feels authentic.” Which is exactly why we’re tapping this trend as a look we’ll actually see everywhere this season. “What I love is that we’ve contained the hair and given it a style, yet there’s still movement. It’s controlled movement. It’s not fluffy or chaotic — it’s disciplined, but human,”
Why This Matters for 2026
Runway hair has a reputation for drama. It can easily drift into fantasy, which is beautiful, but often feels untouchable. That’s what made the hair at GIADA Fall/Winter 2026 so compelling.
“Sometimes at shows we get carried away — it becomes about the fantasy. But this is different. This is hair you can actually wear. It’s about aspiration that feels achievable,” said Eugene Souleiman backstage.
That distinction is everything.
After seasons defined by hyper-texture, exaggerated volume, and deliberate “undone” finishes, this shift toward something more controlled feels refreshing and almost inevitable. As fashion continues to lean into quiet luxury and refined tailoring, beauty is following the same path. The disciplined minimalism seen in Milan aligns seamlessly with sculptural coats, monochrome layering, and silhouettes that rely on cut rather than embellishment. And the hair mirrors that vision, it doesn’t compete with the clothes, it completes them.
The appeal of this movement is obvious. I leans into a polished finish without being too severe. There’s effort in it, without being intimidating. For stylists, it opens up a conversation around redefining sleek and moving beyond flat-ironed rigidity into satin-finish blow-dries, softly combed-back bridal looks, and low, architectural buns that feel modern.
The Takeaway: Gentlewoman Energy
Backstage, Souleiman described the spirit as that of a “gentlewoman” — a subtle borrowing of menswear discipline, reinterpreted through a feminine lens. Hair is directed backward, revealing bone structure and posture. Shoulders are strong. Texture is controlled, but never stiff.
It’s minimalism, but not the stark kind. And if Milan is any indication, 2026 won’t be about louder hair. It will be about better hair — disciplined, satin, and very much in motion.
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