Enchanted Crimp Brings Texture Back to NYFW’s Sleek Runways

The enchanted crimp represents a refined interpretation of texture technique from decades past. Hairstylist Lacy Redway, working with designer Christian Siriano for his spring/summer 2027 collection at New York Fashion Week, repackaged the crimper as a precision tool for adding controlled dimension to otherwise sleek hair.

This approach departs fundamentally from how crimpers were deployed in the 1980s. Instead of crimping the entire head for volume and texture, Redway uses crimped sections as horizontal bands laid across flat-ironed hair. The result sits somewhere between polished and textured—the dominant aesthetic remains smooth, with crimp ridges appearing as deliberate accents that catch light and movement.

Understanding the Enchanted Crimp

The Core Technique

The method begins with flat-ironed hair, smoothed completely straight. Once the base is established, a crimper creates ridges that run horizontally across sections of the hair. On the runway models, these ridges formed pronounced, corrugated bands laid atop sheets of straight texture. The hairstyle featured a middle part, with all crimped sections running horizontally and hair tucked cleanly behind the ears. The specificity of placement distinguishes this look from random crimping.

How It Differs From 1980s Crimping

Crimped hair in the 1980s typically involved crimping the entire head to generate volume and texture throughout. The enchanted crimp inverts this approach: smoothness remains the dominant texture, and crimping functions almost as an accessory rather than the foundation. The lack of overall volume and the deliberate placement of ridged sections separate this look from the fluffy, all-over crimped styles of previous decades. Redway treats the crimp as a way to introduce little flashes of dimension whenever the hair moves, rather than as the primary styling statement.

Shine as an Essential Element

Gloss plays a central role in making the enchanted crimp read as modern rather than retro. Hair was treated with Tresemmé A-List Collection All-In-One Style Primer and Extra Hold Mousse before blow-drying with both flat and round brushes. Hairspray was applied selectively before crimping to maintain product control. After crimping, Bonding Oil was brushed through the hair to deliver the glossy finish that complemented Siriano’s ethereal garments.

The Products Behind the Look

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Building the foundation begins with primer and mousse. Tresemmé A-List Collection All-In-One Style Primer prepares the hair during the blow-dry phase, while Extra Hold Mousse provides structure and hold. This combination creates a stable base that accepts crimp texture without flattening or losing definition between the ridges and smooth sections.

After crimping, Bonding Oil functions as both a seal and a shine agent. Applied throughout the hair, it restores moisture that heat styling may have depleted and creates the lustrous finish that separates the enchanted crimp from dull, textured looks. Hairspray was used strategically before the crimping step rather than after, allowing the crimper tool to work effectively without product interference.

How to Recreate the Enchanted Crimp at Home

The process requires three main steps: preparation, crimping, and finishing. Begin by washing and blow-drying hair completely smooth using both a flat brush and round brush to remove all wave or texture. The goal is a perfectly straight base that will showcase the horizontal crimp ridges in contrast.

Once hair is dry and smooth, decide which sections will receive the crimp texture. For a wearable version, Redway suggests treating crimped sections like barrettes—applying them to small sections on each side of the head rather than across the entire head. Using a crimper, create horizontal ridges by positioning it perpendicular to the hair and working systematically through your chosen sections. The ridges should run horizontally across the hair shaft, maintaining consistency in direction and spacing. After crimping, brush Bonding Oil through the hair to restore shine and blend the textured sections with the smooth base.

Wearability and Everyday Applications

Redway does not expect this look to be recreated exactly as it appeared on the runway. Instead, she anticipates simpler translations emerging in everyday styling. The most accessible version treats crimped sections as intentional accents—small bands of texture on each side of the head, mimicking how someone might position a barrette.

This approach makes the enchanted crimp accessible to anyone with a crimper and basic blow-drying skills. The key lies in restraint: understanding when you have added enough texture. The look succeeds because smoothness dominates; texture plays a supporting role. Redway’s observation about barrette-style placement suggests the technique works best as a subtle accent rather than an all-over style statement, making it realistic for anyone to achieve at home.

The Modern Context

The enchanted crimp does not resurrect 1980s aesthetics wholesale. Rather, it recontextualizes a tool that fell out of favor, applying it with precision to serve contemporary ideals of polish and sophistication. By positioning crimping as an accent technique rather than an all-over style, Redway has reframed an entire category of hair texture.

This reinterpretation suggests that trend cycles do not always mean abandoning old tools—sometimes they mean using familiar tools in new ways. The crimper, dormant in most modern styling kits, has found new purpose: adding micro-dimension to polished styles without sacrificing shine or sleekness. For anyone looking to update their hair routine with texture that feels intentional rather than dated, the enchanted crimp offers a framework for precision and control.