Create a retro runway-worthy faux-bob hairstyle

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending The ShOws, a runway event held that brings fashion designs with Canadian roots who have had success on the world stage back home to show their upcoming collections here in Toronto.

One of the Fall/Winter 2012 collections presented at the event was by New York based fashion label Ruffian, which is designed by Canadian expat Claude Morais, (who’s originally from Montreal) and Brian Wolk (a native New Yorker).

While the tailored wool jackets and skirts were beautifully crafted and classically chic (rich colours, leather accents, and prim & proper silhouettes had me dreaming of riding horseback throught the English countryside), the hair, styled by Justin German (P&G Beauty’s consulting stylist for Pantene Pro-V) snapped me back to reality’ as in, I want to try this style on my own hair, stat!

Describing the look as inspired by a 1940s ‘Gangster Girl” think Bonnie and Clyde with Mae West’s polish,’ German turned the models’ long straight hair into a wavy faux bob.

To save time back stage, he first took the bottom half of the hair and rolled it into a bun pinned at the nape of the neck (half the hair tucked away and hidden = half as much time spent curling’ genius!).

Next, he used a hot curling iron to create pin curls in the rest of the hair, sprayed with Sebastian Professional Shaper Zero Gravity ($19.95 at salons), a lightweight, brushable spray. After removing the pins, he gave the hair a good brush to turn the tight curls into fluffy, bouncing waves.

Finally, he tucked the ends back up around the bun he’d made at the start, using the bun as a base into which to secure the ‘bob,’ and gave it a final spray with Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Lasting Volume Aerosol Hairspray ($5.99 at drugstores).

Would you try this look for a special night out? Do you have any time saving hair-tricks of your own? We’d love for you to share.

Photos by Jess Baumung/Arthur Mola Photography