Redken New Zealand Creative Director Mana Dave. Image by James Yang Photography.
Fashion Week is always full of fabulously, creative people and I am lucky enough to get to meet some of them while working backstage writing about the hair and makeup looks for the onsite runway shows.
Mana Dave is one of those people I had the pleasure to meet and work alongside this year. Not only is he a multi-award winning hairdresser, but he is also Redken New Zealand’s Creative Director and Artistic Director. He owns two salons on Broadway, Newmarket called Blaze and Pony Professionnel and Mana has also travelled the world working on stage and facilitating workshop training sessions for fellow hairstylists and those are just a few of his accomplishments!
This year at New Zealand Fashion Week Mana was the creative lead for many of the hair looks you saw walking down the runway so I stole five minutes of his time for a quick Q&A and here’s what he had to say:
What was your role at NZ Fashion Week?
Redken NZ Creative Director. I liaise with our design partners and the Redken Artistic Team to create the hair looks for the shows that we support at NZFW.
How do you get inspiration to create your hair looks for each show?
I need to understand from the designer who or what their muse is. The person that they are designing for and the story that they want to tell. It is a collaborative process between the designer and the hair and makeup teams to ensure that we present a cohesive story, with multiple layers of the same idea.
What were your favourite looks this year?
Our artistic team created such a diverse range of looks for this season at NZFW but the two looks that stand out were the Smashed Gold slick back look for ARITAUA and the Cool Girl Braid for our long-time design partner Federation.
Hair look from ARITAUA created by Mana Dave for Redken. Image by Getty Images.
What are the current hair trends you’re seeing?
Our look for ARITAUA referenced the wet wearable look. This sleek straight version was worn off the face with a high sheen wet gel look through the front area. We embellished the front hairline with pieces of gold leaf to replicated broken shards of gold.
The Cool Girl Braid is going to be the summer look for this season. The lived-in texture coupled with a fishtail braid and the simple bow is a nod to three big hair trends. The look is effortless and cool.
What do you think will be next for hair trends?
The bun is back. Knotted buns sitting low in the nape are the quintessential look of simple chic hair. Add in a simple hair accessory for a touch of luxe for a nighttime conversion.
What are your current favourite products?
Redken Windblown 05 gives you hair with body and movement. It puts the air into your hair. Shine Flash 02 creates a beautiful lightweight sheen when sprayed onto dry hair. It makes your hair look effortlessly expensive.
Where can people see more of your work?
Instagram – @manadave and @shades_eq