Miami Swim Week 2025 was electrified by Megan Thee Stallion’s runway debut of her Hot Girl Summer collection—a fierce, unapologetic showcase of beauty, confidence, and individuality. As the exclusive hair partner for this landmark event, KEVIN.MURPHY led the charge backstage, with Director of Education NA Sarah Lund, and COLOR/STYLE.MASTERs Carmen Waltz and Brandi Holdaway at the helm, ensuring each look was a perfect reflection of Megan’s cultural impact.
But the story behind the styling goes beyond just glamorous, high-technique looks. What stood out most to me—and I imagine many others—was the diversity in the models’ casting, which spanned sizes, ethnicities, and hair textures. This dynamic inclusion wasn’t just a nod to Megan’s ethos but a broader statement for an industry that too often siloed hair care into categories like straight, curly, or kinky. KEVIN.MURPHY’s approach proves that a product is a product—and in the hands of the right stylist, it can work for anyone, on any hair type.
The evening unfolded with each model being styled to her unique personality and vibe. “We’ll see a few different looks coming down the runway,” Sarah Lund explained backstage, where she and her team worked tirelessly to bring Megan’s vision to life. “We’re doing a Naomi Campbell-inspired clean center part with pin-straight hair—very ‘90s runway,” while others would showcase high ponytails, sculpted to perfection with SESSION.SPRAY for that powerful, lifted effect. Of course, for the models with natural texture, the team embraced their curls, waves, and coils, enhancing them with SHIMMER.SHINE for a glistening, moveable finish.
While the style choices were rooted in that late ‘90s supermodel aesthetic, the execution was all about celebrating individuality, not perfection. Each look was an expression of empowerment, and KEVIN.MURPHY showed that no matter the texture, the tools and techniques in the hands of skilled professionals can work wonders.
This collaboration also highlighted something I found incredibly inspiring—how the team was so intentional in its inclusivity. While Sarah, Carmen, and Brandi led the backstage prep, it was the team’s collaboration with stylists like Vanessa Dussuau, Fabrice Montes, and Jamese Allen, who are experts in textures and styles often overlooked by mainstream beauty, that made this show so unique. Although Sarah, Carmen, and Brandi are all white women, they fully recognized the importance of cultural expertise when it comes to styling different hair types. When many models arrived with twists, braids, and sew-ins already installed, the team leaned on Vanessa, Fabrice, and Jamese for guidance and support in properly caring for and styling these specialized techniques.
In an industry that has long been racially divided by technique, this moment felt like a powerful step toward integration—one where the beauty industry can move past the idea that certain hair textures belong to certain categories or require products marketed only to their hair type. Watching as a diverse team came together to share techniques and knowledge not only created flawless looks but also offered a glimpse of the future where beauty truly knows no boundaries.
As Megan strutted down the runway, her Hot Girl Summer vision was perfectly realized, thanks to the seamless collaboration between stylist and product. Megan’s team ensured her look was just as fierce as her runway walk, arriving with her hair and makeup already done, but it was KEVIN.MURPHY’s backstage magic that amplified her presence. From the precision styling to the effortless yet impactful textures, the KEVIN.MURPHY team proved that every woman deserves to feel confident, empowered, and ready to own her look—no matter her hair type.
“That’s what Hot Girl Summer is. It’s all about individuality and confidence.” said Sarah Lund, who, alongside the team, crafted looks that resonated with Megan’s cultural impact. The real magic, however, wasn’t just in the tools or products—it was in the attitude. KEVIN.MURPHY’s styling supported the individuality of each model, giving them the freedom to express themselves in ways that felt authentic and powerful.
In a world where beauty standards have been dictated by rigid categories and narrow expectations, this runway debut was a groundbreaking moment. It’s not just a trend—it’s a movement. And with Megan Thee Stallion at the helm, and KEVIN.MURPHY by her side Hot Girl Summer is here to stay. Check out our exclusive rundown of Miami Swim Week where we dive deeper into the bold vision that made this collection—and this moment—one for the history books.
And as Megan would say, “Hot Girl Summer is here, and she looks good.”
