Iconic editorial and celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan returned to the runway as lead hair stylist for Willy Chavarria’s mens/women’s SS27 show at Paris Men’s Fashion Week. According to Chavarria, the collection, called “Comunión” or communion, was “devoted to our communal spirit, seeking joy in existence as sustenance in times of chaos and darkness” — no doubt a comment on the state of things in the US where the Latino community that Chavarria comes from and is so inspired by is being targeted by “Kavanaugh stops” and worse.
Chavarria posted to Instagram, “When we come together in Comunión, we are a powerful force. This is reason for joy. Not because we are oblivious, but because we have faith.” And this sense of triumphant joy was manifest in every aspect of every look, including the hair.
The sweltering Paris temps didn’t keep McMillan and team from bringing the heat, with hair designs that embraced motion, an undeniable vitality. McMillan shares, “For many of the looks we wanted to really open up the face — for the men’s looks, we aren’t calling it a slick back because we didn’t want it slicked, we did a blow back. For the women’s looks, a no-part slick back, and playing with natural texture. The continuity throughout the collection was opening the face and creating shape, while still keeping texture, movement and individuality.”
Read on for a breakdown of the key looks, including the products from McMillan’s eponymous line used to create each.
Men’s Look #1: The Romeo Beckham Blow Back
Created on Romeo Beckham, this modern interpretation of the classic blow back became one of the defining men’s looks of the collection. Inspired by a reference image shared by Chavarria, the look was designed to open the face while maintaining softness, texture and movement.
Get the Look:
- Apply Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth Blow Dry Spray to damp hair for heat protection and styling prep.
- Using a barbering comb, blow dry hair upward and away from the face to establish shape and direction.
- Layer Chris McMillan Major Hairspray throughout the styling process, spraying, brushing through and reshaping the hair multiple times to build memory into the style.
- Set the shape with a hair net and additional heat before removing and breaking up the finish with fingers for a more natural, lived-in texture.
Men’s Look #2: The Avedon Blowout
Inspired by the timeless masculinity captured in Richard Avedon’s portraits, this look began as a polished 70s-inspired blowout before evolving into a more textured, fashion-forward finish. For McMillan and Chavarria, the goal was to create volume and shape while embracing imperfection.
Get the Look:
- Prep hair with Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth Blow Dry Spray.
- Blow dry in sections starting at the root using a round brush, directing hair away from the face to create lift and volume.
- Build height through the crown before applying Chris McMillan Dry Texture Spray throughout the roots and mid-lengths.
- Finish by breaking up the style to create a softer, more effortless texture.
“As Willy continued reviewing the looks, he kept saying ‘messy, messy.’ Once I realized ‘messy’ meant texture, I started building more texture throughout the collection,” says McMillan.
Women’s Look #2: The No-Part Slick Back
Rather than creating a traditionally polished slick back, McMillan developed a stronger, more masculine interpretation to complement the Comunión collection’s tailoring and structure. McMillan says, “We didn’t have it parted and we didn’t have it tucked.” The result was sleek, powerful and intentionally tough.
Get the Look:
- Prep hair with Chris McMillan Glassy Smooth Blow Dry Spray and blow dry smooth while preserving the hair’s integrity.
- Working in quarter-inch sections from the nape upward, layer Chris McMillan Major Hairspray throughout the roots and mid-lengths.
- Set each section with heat from the blow dryer before continuing upward through the head.
- Comb hair back without a part, maintaining slight lift through the front for a more modern silhouette.
- Finish in a sleek bun or figure-eight chignon using Chris McMillan Major Hairspray for control and polish.
Women’s Look #2: Enhanced Natural Texture Blowout
A key theme throughout the women’s casting was individuality. Rather than forcing a single uniform hairstyle, McMillan enhanced each model’s natural texture, creating a more authentic and modern runway moment. Read on for insights from McMillan himself.
Get the Look:
- “For this look, we wanted to enhance the hair’s existing texture rather than transforming it completely.
- Adding a lightweight, Major Hairspray as a heat protector for any hot tool and touchable texture that feels effortless and personal to each model. We also added Glassy Smooth Blow Dry spray on the ends to refresh and add texture as well.”
McMillan adds, “In this 100 degree weather in Paris, we really leaned into each girl’s natural texture in the humidity and enhanced what was already there.”
For more from the SS27 show, follow Willy Chavarria and Chris McMillan on social.
