Before
"I've always been an outgoing Southern girl," says Alex of Trump Models, who just made a splash on the runway at BCBG. "But, the hot Texas sun always turns my hair a bit yellow! When I arrived in New York City, my agents thought I was ready for a change."
After
Enter Aura Friedman, the Sally Hershberger colorist who's known as something of a model whisperer. "Alex's hair needed correcting, since she had very brassy roots," she explains. "So, I wanted to even out her color, but then I decided to add a soft-pink hue to complement her skin."
Before
"It's always great to have a fresh, new look every season," says Brazilian beauty Carolina Thaler of Elite Models. "Clients always like to see something new and fresh, but it's also a way to show that you're developing as a professional." Since this wasn't Carolina's first time on the runway, a dramatic change wasn't exactly what she was going for.
After
"The chop was all Carolina's idea," insists Ryan Mitchell of Cutler Salon, who gave the model her long bob. "She was such a dream: She came in with photos of Daria Werbowy and a really clear idea of what she wanted to do. Plus, bringing the length to the collar bone is a great idea for fine textures, since it creates the illusion of fuller, thicker hair."
Before
"Hair is one of those easy things that makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin," says Marina Krtinic of Women Management. "When it matches your personality, the results speak for themselves."
After
After a dramatic chop with blunt bangs and a color overhaul (plus, a piercing or two), Marina felt a lot more like herself. "Her features are so dominant, so we wanted those to stand out, and not just her red hair," says Roxie Darling of Hairstory. "And, I think the ginger, while beautiful, felt a little commercial. This new, rich dark brown is much more editorial, and it's more fitting for where her career is headed."
Before
While Marina was getting rid of her red, Zella Christenson of Trump Models was simply modifying hers. "I've always had auburn hair, but when I arrived to New York from Colorado, my agents and I discussed an update."
After
Few colorists know red — and all its nuances — better than Friedman. "We wanted a stronger color, so we went with a rich, dark copper. Zella is so sweet and charming, but we wanted to give her more of a bold edge."
Before
Cool-girl Brandee Brown has already made quite a splash on the scene, earning a coveted spot on the DKNY runway. "I wanted to change my color, but I really didn't know exactly what to do," she told us backstage. "The minute I sat in Aura's chair, I knew I was in good hands. I told her I was ready for a transformation, and she came up with the solution. I totally trusted her."
After
Aura was thinking pink. "Brandee needed a color that matched her vibrant personality," she says. (And, judging by the model's Instagram shots, that's a pretty tall order. This girl is a whole lot of personality, which is probably why we are infatuated with her.) "The pink makes a statement, but it also brings out subtle tones in her light eyes."
Before
It's been quite the hair year for Frida Aasen of Women Management. "I've been blonde, black, and back to natural," she says. "So, before Fashion Week, I just wanted to feel confident in the tone and the cut."
After
The solution? Hairstory's Darling brought her "warm, sunny blonde to a cooler beige tone," while Wes Sharpton gave her a sultry style that "lends a sensuality to her face."
Courtney Shallcross of Muse had already undergone quite the transformation: She took the plunge into platinum, so her career could grow in an edgier direction. "It was fun for awhile, but it was also limiting in the kind of work I could get," she says. "But, I've been a blonde my whole life! So, I wanted to stay that way."
After
"We wanted to give Courtney a more natural, warmer blonde," Friedman explains. In fact, this switch seems indicative of a larger bleach backlash in the industry. (Supermodel Aline Weber just did the same exact thing.)
Hannah Vandermolen of Trump Models is no stranger to out-of-the-box hues: She's been rocking an unapologetic emerald green for quite some time. "There's a lot of primping and preparing that goes into getting us ready for Fashion Week," she says. "And, many of us feel a pressure to fit a certain image in order to impress casting directors or designers. But, I spoke with my agency, and we all agreed that it's best for me to present myself as the punky girl that I am."
After
"Hannah is always fun!" Aura says. "She pretty much will go for whatever, but we felt that the steel gray with blue tones would be a lot of fun for the spring shows."
Daria Osipova of Trump Models didn't even know she was getting her hair overhauled. "I arrived late to Fashion Week," she explains. "But, I knew about Aura and all her great work, so I really trusted her."
After
Let's consider this proof that surprises can be a good thing — a very good thing. "I didn't want to do anything too drastic, but adding a punch and vibrancy to her natural hair color just helps her stand out more," Aura explains.