After decades in fashion, Ulla Johnson continues to circle back to creating clothes that make women feel entirely themselves. For AW26 at New York Fashion Week, she presented a collection that moved between dressed-up denim, boudoir slips in black and deep greens, ’70s-leaning tailoring, and the bohemian dresses that have long defined her vision. Florals caught the light; lace traced the edges of party dresses and textures layered and collided. The fluid variations in silhouette echoed in the beauty. 

Backstage, lead hairstylist Diego da Silva approached each model as a singular presence—never a repeat, never a uniform. “This season at Ulla Johnson, the idea was to work off every model’s personality and hair type in combination with the silhouette of the look they’re wearing. Some will have softly pulled back hair, some will have their hair back with a light touch, and some will keep a natural, slightly tamed curl. Working with Wella Professionals was ideal for me as there is a wide range of quality products to suit the needs of all different hair types.” – Diego da Silva

 

The Beauty at Ulla Johnson AW26

 

Rather than a single statement style, da Silva created a rhythm across the runway with hair that responded to the clothing. A slip dress might be paired with a barely-there pullback that exposed the neckline. A tailored suit called for hair pulled away from the face, controlled but not severe. For models in textured knits and metallic florals, curls thrived with defined and softly tamed finishes. 

The looks felt modern and instinctive with nothing distracting from the garments or feeling too overworked. Instead, hair moved, caught the light, and amplified the mood of each look.

 

Backstage: The Three-Step Formula

At the core of every style was a focus on condition. Winter in New York has a way of leaving hair wind-whipped and dull, so preparation was non-negotiable.

 

Step One: Restore and Reset

The foundation began with Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue. Applied as models arrived backstage, it refreshed the hair instantly—smoothing the cuticle, boosting shine, and bringing back that healthy, touchable feel. On a day where quick changes and repeated heat styling are the norm, it created a polished starting point for every texture.

Step Two: Shape the Natural Texture

Next came Wella Professionals EIMI Ocean Spritz. Chosen for its balanced, adaptable hold, it enhanced what was already there and controlled waves in place, defined curls, or added a subtle, airy grip if hair was pulled back. The effect was controlled yet flexible, allowing individuality to lead.

 

Step Three: Light, Glossed Finish

To complete each look, da Silva relied on Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Miracle Oil through the lengths—even a single drop makes a huge difference. This detail delivered a finish that was deliberate with a soft gleam that echoed the metallic threads and luminous fabrics in the collection. Hair looked expensive, nourished, and runway-ready without appearing overdone.

 

The Trend Takeaway

AW26 signals a continued shift away from one-note runway hair. Instead of rigid uniformity, we’re seeing a celebration of personal texture—sleek where it makes sense, voluminous where it feels right, and health and shine at the center of it all. This season we expect to see more softly pulled-back styles that frame the face rather than freeze it. Expect curls that are refined, not suppressed. And above all, expect hair that looks like it belongs to the person wearing it. With the help of Wella Professionals backstage, each model stepped onto the runway looking less styled—and more like the best version of themselves.