London Fashion Week SS27: Maximilian Raynor Show, Hair by Blue Tit London
It’s LFW! For an insight into what it’s like as stylist to work for a designer at London Fashion Week, our team show you backstage at Maximilian Raynor for his Spring-Summer 27 show, A Village Green Rivalry.
But this wasn’t any old village green, oh no. The centre-stage Bentley told you everything you needed to know; we were in for a British heritage treat. The catwalk was a garden central courtyard and an energetic brass band followed up on the theme, soundtracking a clash of The Gingers vs. The Elders – a cheeky nod to Belvoir Farm, one of the sponsors.
Elsewhere, there was crochet, knitted garments and fringing on skirts and dresses, soft florals, bold red checks with tailored sports shapes – British heritage, with the volume turned up.
The hair to complement this showdown? Well, we caught up with Tom Warr, lead hair stylist for the catwalk show…
Blue Tit London: What was the overall theme of the show and your brief?
Tom Warr: “It’s called A Village Green Rivalry – it’s a celebration of British heritage. I was really excited when I heard the brief. Max loves film and cinema, he pulled British 90s and 00s references from Four Weddings, Bend It Like Beckham and Billy Elliot but then messed and subverted them. We decided to work with natural texture and ‘undone’ loose styling, translating to heavy fringes, TWAs, retro mullets, low knots/ponies and gelled 90’s middle partings… all feeling a bit fresh and new. He said he wanted to bring an elevated aestetic to something that otherwise feels usually undone.
There’s British sports references so we played on that, styling some looks a bit kind of sweaty like they’ve literally just been playing football.”
Blue Tit London: How many models did you do for Maximilian Raynor SS27?
Tom Warr: “18 models, it’s important to have a big enough styling team so we’re not rushed”
Blue Tit London: Who was on the team from Blue Tit London?
Tom Warr: “Pashcan’el our textured hair educator, Leanne our most senior educator, Stevie who’s done a lot of session styling over the years, Talia and Maia both colour educators and Kamila Co-owner of Blue Tit Portobello with new trainees Benne and Margaret assisting” It’s a dream set, yeah a really strong team. The trainees have been amazing in the academy so we decided to give them the experience of London Fashion Week”
Blue Tit London: What techniques did you and the team use to create the hair looks for this LFW?
Tom Warr: ”There’s lots of natural styling using diffusers and curling products to enhance natural texture, health and shine. To help curls along we did a lot of setting using rollers and used tongs to give the hair added life and curl if needed.”
Blue Tit London: Products you used?
Tom Warr: “For the undone textured looks we used Oway Flux Potion, Oway Priming Cream, Next Day Cream, Oway Finese Fluid.
We have some looks that are more set to the head so we used Oway’s Sculpting Mist for a strong hold. Again, Curly Potion is really good for setting hair and also Glimmering Bond and Precious Wax for those stronghold sleek sweaty-like looks.”
Check out Oway’s curly hair range.
Blue Tit London: From being given the brief to catwalk day – What’s the process like?
Tom Warr: “The process is fairly collaborative. With shoots and session work, you can have complete creative control… with a catwalk show you’re working much more collaboratively with the designer and wider creative team. Max had a brief and vision. Speaking to him and going through his brief, I loved it and understood the hair and what he wanted completely.”
“From that I chose the best team and told them the vision. We worked through what would translate to each look.”
“I went through the models with Max, model by model and we talked about how the hair could work for each person and look. The full model line-up was confirmed the day before the show.”
“I follow the designers vision but I have to adapt to the models case by case taking into consideration their hair, their face shape and the vibe. There’s an element of final creativity on the day, I always allow for that in the moment change if needed but most of the work is done before with Max and when the models are selected.”
Blue Tit London: Do you think the looks you and team have created for Maximilian Raynor SS27 catwalk show could translate to the salon?
Tom Warr: “Yeah, massively, especially with this show. We are elevating the hair, in a natural, loose way. Cool heavy fringes, very structural cuts with waves and curls. Or bobs and shags that are very achievable for people. There’s nothing over-stylized.
I think we both said in an interview before the show that what we stand for is elevating beautiful, natural hair, while still giving it a slightly polished finish. That’s something Max also wanted to bring through in the show, so the hair definitely had those ’70s and ’90s influences, particularly in the texture, but with that elevated, polished feel.”
Check out Tom’s Spring Summer 2027 hair trends.
Blue Tit London: What’s the secret to achieving the designers and your vision when doing catwalk hair styling?
Tom Warr: “Getting the right team together, we have some really experienced stylists who do shows, catwalks and fashion and editorial shoots. We had two trainees this time who are amazing, it’s a great experience for them at the beginning of their careers. I act as the Head Stylist, I assign the looks to each stylist and I’m free to oversee each look and make sure we’re on time and I’m happy with the end result.
I was just excited to bring the vision to life, it was such a natural collaboration and the team was so strong that there’s no stress.”
Sponsors of Maximilian Raynor’s SS27 show:
Bio: Tom Warr is Blue Tit London’s Creative and Academy Director. Tom’s trademark vintage looks have grown a loyal following, drawing inspiration from old British subcultures. He’s a regular fixture for session shoots, most recently Fred Perry and takes to the stage for events like HairCon and Noise. His dedication to education has led him to teach internationally in the USA, Australia, Germany and Italy.
