ESSENTIAL LOOKS from Schwarzkopf Professional brings you the 111 Edition: Part 1 Collection distilled into four NEW visual moods for Spring/Summer 2009. These looks capture the essence of the season - defining the spirit of our times, creating a cultural snapshot and presenting a story book of style. Each season a handpicked team of hair professionals immerses themselves in the fashion weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York and emerge inspired to create a collection of distinct trends that will lead hairdressers and their salon clients to progress their personal style for the coming season.

ESSENTIAL LOOKS has a proven track record in translating catwalk couture into a commercial reality and is now celebrating ten years of success. Essential Looks is THE seasonal tool for change from Schwarzkopf Professional, delivering wearable, desirable style direct to the salon door in a usable, accessible format that empowers. Schwarzkopf makes a commitment to the stylist because we deliver creative education on time and on trend plus our step-by-step guides and Essential Looks packs support and inspire. The last decade has established Essential Looks as a common international hair language of fashion motivated style, designed to gift hair professionals with the essence of seasonal inspiration. The Essential Looks education package includes dedicated IGORA colour trends PLUS an Essential Looks Magazine NEW for Spring/Summer 2009.

Steve Hogan, Creative Director for Schwarzkopf Professional Essential Looks says “I’m excited about the 111 Edition: Part 1 Collection because it’s populated by wearable and beautiful shapes and tones that have great commercial application. Essential Looks is our enduring commitment to placing fashion driven skills directly into the hands of hair professionals around the world. This collection is set to ensure Schwarzkopf Professional’s 111th year will be our best yet.”

Essential Looks 111 Edition: Part 1 Collection is presented in four fashion moods:

Glamazon – Exotic and confident, cool gets hot with this smouldering trend direction. Blending the sophisticated sexiness of the 70s with a safari vibe, these looks are about high-octane glamour and statuesque beauty, both on men and women. The look is driven by the season’s trends for safari tones and styles, tribal adornments and Bianca Jagger in her Studio 54 heyday. In keeping with the 70s influence, hairstyles have length and movement to maximise the impact of swaying to a sultry disco beat. Overall, hair is glossy but touchable, ignited by the lure of sun-warmed tones. Our Glamazons know how to set a room on fire. Channelling the likes of Iman and Jerry Hall, they’re a luscious and luxurious addition to the tribal jet set.

Sunday Best – Well bred yet experimental, ladylike dressing is given a rebellious edge this season with unconventional pairings such as off-kilter frills, clashing prints and colours, and roughened prom dresses. Here, a dressing-up approach also applies to the hair, with oversized

bows, netting and ribbon making up-dos look prettily offbeat. Elsewhere, unexpected colours are placed amidst quirky cuts, while the debutante vibe makes itself known with pampered condition and shine. Anything and everything goes with this quirky look which is part aristocrat and part rebel. Naughty and nice.

80s Dance – Dancemania is coming to town this season, with hair and fashion guaranteed to work up a sweat. Lycra, sporty layering and lots of neon herald an 80s revival, while luxe workout-inspired clothing such as crystal-studded joggers, grown-up leotards and sweatshirting teamed with sheer dresses present a contemporary take on exercise that’s feminine and beautiful. Hair has natural movement, with tousled styles and kinetic cuts that team asymmetry with pops of vibrant colour. Athletic yet feminine, this look is all about youthful exuberance.

Rounded Form – A softening of previous geometric trends, this season’s minimalist silhouette has become more natural and feminine. Inspired by futuristic and architectural styling, a more rounded shape emerges with experimental placements of drape and volume, and body-morphing garments. In hair, this translates into styles that hug the head and neck, curving playfully into napes and nooks. Rounded edges and bold tones are finished with lustre and gloss for a futuristic feel. Modern minimalism meets the new natural.

The ESSENTIAL LOOKS team for Spring/Summer 2009 was led by Schwarzkopf Professional Global Ambassadors Massimo di Stefano and Tom Kroboth, who say: “This season hair plays such a strong part of the overall fashion directions, that it is an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe. There is a high-energy vibe running through both fashion and hair, with quirky and sensual looks that translate across both haute couture and more wearable styles.”

Schwarzkopf Professional is focussed on bringing fresh seasonal ideas, vigour and energy to commercial salon work. The creative minds behind Essential Looks and the 111 Edition: Part 1 Collection give salon hairdressers a window on the world of catwalk fashion and an ‘access all areas’ pass to what’s truly hot in hair.