ATHLETICA | SPRING SUMMER 12 COLLECTION

High Performance Hair; Inspired by Athletes in Motion

This Spring/Summer, all eyes will be on London, host city of the 2012 Olympic Games and the home city of Sassoon.

Sassoon’s long association with the Olympic Games began in 1976 when Vidal Sassoon created a sculptural and fluid haircut for American figure skater Dorothy Hamill; illustrating Sassoon’s cutting techniques that liberated women from high maintenance hairstyles.

For the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, Sassoon became the ‘official hair care consultant to the athletes’, creating a collection of cuts designed to complement each sport.

The history of women’s hairstyles and sport is inextricably linked to the history of women’s freedom – a belief that is central to the Sassoon philosophy. With the advent of women in sport in the 1920s, women’s clothing and hairstyles evolved in response to these new physical and psychological freedoms.

Today, the Sassoon International Creative Team introduces a new chapter to the story with Athletica: a collection of effortless sophisticated hair looks that are as fashionable as they are functional. Hair must work with the body to enhance the overall aesthetics.

The iconic symbols of the Olympics – the five interlocking rings of the flag and the bronze, silver and gold medals – inspired the Sassoon SS12 Athletica collection, a series of effortless, sophisticated looks; expertly tailored by Sassoon stylists to suit every individual.

Kindred philosophies are at the heart of the alliance between the Olympic Games and Sassoon: both are guided by performance at the highest level, intense training to reach a pinnacle of excellence and a practical and individual approach.

Sassoon Chromatology colour service, a concise and essential range which offers unlimited intermixing opportunities for perfectly personalized results, delivers brilliant high definition colours, inspired by the resonant metallic colours of the winners’ medals.

Applied in concentric circles, nodding to the curvature of the iconic Olympic rings, these vibrant shades enhance the shape of each client’s cut.

“This season we’ve concentrated on a pale rose through to a deep red gold. Silver moves from tones of soft grey through to violet and there are a few hints of hot flame orange.” Edward Darley, UK Colour Director

The result is effortless, elegant and easy to maintain hair. With Sassoon Professional products specifically designed to support beautifully coloured and cut hair, the perfect finish is effortlessly achievable.

This season, Sassoon Professional recommends Heat Shape, Halo Hydrate and Diamond Polish to create pliable, playful texture for the straighter hair styles. For the textured curls, a combination of Curl Form and Definitive Groom will moisturise and give a perfect texture and definition to each curl.

“We wanted to give a real athletic feel to the hair. The movement in the cuts is designed to give a sporty look – almost as if the hair has become beautifully dishevelled after someone has completed their sporting activity. This season it’s all about ease and wearability – defined cuts and colours that are easy to care for and work with today’s demanding lifestyles.”  Mark Hayes, International Creative Director

First in usually wins.

Here are the looks: