‘Black Hair Reimagined’ 2026 Show Celebrates Artistry Past and Present

“We are here, and we have always been here,” declared hair architect Vernon François on Friday night backstage at the second edition of “Black Hair Reimagined: The New Era of Beauty.”

Produced by Echelon Noir and powered by Square and Dove, the 2026 show, held at The Altman Building, celebrated the past, present and future artistry of Black hair, showcasing avant-garde creations by six celebrity stylists — François, Malcolm Marquez, Fesa Nu, Issac Poleon, Joshua Meekins and Jawara Wauchope, cofounder of Echelon.

A-list attendees included Tyrell Hampton, Telfar Clemens, Luar’s Raul Lopez and Paloma Elsesser, who famously sat front row at the inaugural presentation last year. On the runway, models included Fatou Jobe and Yasmin Warsame. Artists also partnered with brands such as L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, Amika and The Texture of Change.

“I don’t think ‘Black Hair Reimagined’ is shaping the industry. I think it’s highlighting the specificity and the importance of what we contribute to the industry and will continue to do and have always done,” François continued as he pinned branches to the top of a two-foot-long stem protruding from a model’s head. “And just in case you forgot about us, welcome.”

François — returning honoree and stylist to Erin Kellyman, Emily Bader and Willow Smith — ideated his concept titled “The Fifth Silhouette” around seasonal progression. “I really fell in love with the transition between winter and autumn, and how you see the nature changing, the trees and how there’s a lot of bark and bareness, but it’s got a lot of vulnerability. What you’re going to witness is a transition of life and rehabilitation,” he explained. This manifested in both organic and ornate shapes, real and faux hair adornments and billowing embellishments collected from nature.

Fellow returning artist Marquez — whose decorated client list includes Ayo Edebiri, Doechii, Tyla and more — also took inspiration from the “natural world” in his section titled “The Will to Change.” Speaking with WWD backstage, Marquez said: “The concept of my section is metamorphosis, transformation, renewal. Butterflies, metamorphic rock, volcanoes, anything in nature that creates.

“It was important coming back a second time for this that I just show up as myself. I think what I appreciate about this particular project is that it really lets us, as hairstylists, kind of show our point of view on beauty rather than contributing to other people’s visions,” Marquez continued. “Creativity isn’t dead, beauty isn’t dead. And I think what I like about this is how grand and over-the-top hair shows are. There’s always a critique of fashion that’s become very dry. And I just think this is a reminder that there’s still so much beauty, you know.”