La Dolce Vita Bob and Other Hair Stories

Those of you who knew me pre 40s, will know that I used to have a taste for punky, arty, avant garde hair. From close cropped and buzz cut in the late 80s (inspired by the model Jeny Howarth, Sinead O Connor and Lisa Stansfield) to beehives (Glastonbury 2005) to asymmetric buns (pictured) to Rita Haywood in Gilda curls I’ve always been fond of radical transmutations where my hair is concerned. Colour wise, ever since discovering Body Shop henna aged 14 I’ve been henna red, blonde, black, pillar box crazy colour red, copper, dip dyed, lilac and purple!

But that’s nothing compared to the walking, talking, hair art of my friend, the artist Julie Verhoeven, whose hair was recently profiled by Claudia Croft in 10 Magazine. Her multicoloured hair is like an ever evolving conceptual statement, executed impeccably by John Vial and Tracey Hayes. Her hair is rebellion, self expression, art project incarnate and just made, in a truly situationist mode, to disrupt the boredom and blandness of every day life.

My hair is a lot more tame these days - I’ve gone back to my natural colour, brunette and it is long and sometimes curly. Sometimes I do it in a plait or a mini ballerina bun. And that’s about it.

But the hair I like to see on catwalks and in editorial is generally experimental and executed by legendary session stylists like Guido, Eugene Souleiman, Paul Hanlon and James Pecis amongst others. It’s always wonderful to view their innovative often sculptural, architectonic and technicolour creations.

However I realise that most of you reading will not have such avant garde tastes and maybe occasionally just want a more mainstream and flattering refresh of your hair, something that suits you, enhances your features, makes you look fresh and pretty and good for your age.

And that’s where Tom Smith comes in. Known as the ‘Hairvoyant’ he has an uncanny ability to predict mainstream and commercial hair trends as worn by celebrities, that its useful to reference with your hairdresser. And he also makes up ingenious names for them! Anyone wanting to change up their style should first consult Tom’s list of ideas for inspiration. Here are the looks from his Spring 2025 presentation that I viewed recently:

Cut and Style

• Tinkerbell Pixie (as seen on Rihanna and Emma Stone) a return to a short and chic classic look (think Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby as coiffed by Vidal Sasson himself)

• Ghost Waves ‘S’ shaped waves (as seen on Kristen Stewart) another variation on beach waves and can be executed with brush stylers and tongs. Makes long hair look thicker more textured and feminine.

• Micro Braids (as seen on Zoe Kravitz and Cynthia Erivo of Wicked) self explanatory slender braids requiring expert styling by hairstylists used to textured hair.

• Letterbox Bangs (as seen on Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga) a horizontal choppy fringe that frames the eyes, ‘piecey’, hints of forehead. References include Jane Birkin and Audrey Hepburn in their heydays.

• La Dolce Vita Bob (as seen on Khloe Kardashian and Cardi B) “Mid length hair is a thing” says Tom, “Volume is a thing. Lots of bounce, lots of volume, lots of glamour!”

Colour

• Return of Ombre - (as seen on Mary J Blige, Cardi B and Rihanna). Tom says we’re seeing a revival of 10-15 years ago - dip dye. Colour graduating from say brunette to blonde very gradually using techniques such as Balayage. “There is undeniable evidence Ombre is back,” says Tom.

• Raspberry (as seen on Rihanna and Lizzo) A lighter cool red tone, a pinky red flattering on brunettes.

• Terracopper (as seen on Chappell Roan and Isla Fisher) “There’s a fork in the road here” says Tom, “you can either go for a muted auburn or a strawberry/apricotty type tone.”

• Sunflower Blonde (as seen on Sabrina Carpenter and Kirsten Stewart) An intensely golden-hued, honey blonde. Bold and shiny; healthy looking.

• Raffia bronde (as seen on Miley Cyrus, Chloe Sevigny, Halle Berry and Shakira). ‘Bronde’ is brunette meets blonde via some very nifty highlighting and colour techniques. “It’s melted and multi tonal” says Tom, “expensive looking. Finely woven and delicate.”

Have fun with your hair! I have certainly had fun with mine over the years.