We’re crazy about films not just because we’re softies for star-crossed lovers, heroes and heroines walking into the sunset, happily ever after, but also how films influence hairstyles and trends.
Just think, would we remember Dorothy in Wizard of Oz if she didn’t have her braids? Or Demi Moore’s GI Jane without her ‘oh so butch’ shaved head?
As August is the month of the international film festival, Rakis on Collins is surrounded by all the theatres in the CBD showing the best films around the world, we’ve decided to present the Rakis award for All Time Top Hairstyles in cinema. Here are the head turners on film that make the cut, and in no particular order…(cue drum roll)
Milla Jovovich in Fifth Element
1. Fifth Element (1997)
chosen by Pasquale, Senior Stylist & Colourist
The Designer Flaming Bob award… A shaggy bob, dyed to a bright orange that would give your grandma a heart attack, it’s messy, surfie athletic and made Milla’s Jovovich’s Leeloo a walking exclamation mark throughout the entire film. Coupled with the avant garde costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier (OMG that white bandage dress, tie us up tie us down please!) the hairstyle is as hardcore in style as it is sci-fi.
Audrey Tatou in Amélie
2. Amelie (2001)
chosen by Jade, Assistant Stylist
The Frenchie Arthouse Bob Award goes to…the international hit Amélie in 2001. Audrey Tatou’s fringe, and pitch dark hair colour was the most copied style and colour on Brunswick Street Fitzroy in the authentic, pre-hipster days of circa early 2000s. It’s a hairstyle that can still be cool today, as the French would say, whatever style choices they make, it’s always about timeless style, not fashionable fads.
Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell
3. Ghost in the Shell (2017)
chosen by Cordell , Graduate Stylist & Colourist
The Futuristic Bob Award…Yes, we have a lot of bobs in our list, but don’t blame us as short bobs, and pixie cuts are all the rage. The one that Scarlett Johansson sports is as sharp as her onscreen kicks. And given how well it blends with the futuristic setting, you better LEARN to wear it NOW as you’ll definitely still be wearing it in 2050.
Natalie Portman in Closer
4. Closer (2004)
The Bob with Brains Award …Another bob but in sexy, silky, lingerie pink. Natalie Portman’s hair colour of choice was way ahead of all those mermaid Katy Perry numbers. Who cares that it’s really a wig, Portman has a degree from Harvard University and we love it when a great bob frames a great mind (and equally expressive face).
Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors
5. Sliding Doors (1998)
No offense to the long brunette look, but in comparison to the short, perky blonde number, we know which is the winning look (and the Gwynie) we’re behind. One film, two hairstyles and hair colour, babe it’s the best evidence that anyone can and SHOULD play with hair colour and style, it can indeed change lives!
Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman
6. Pretty Woman (1990)
We know, we know, everyone is such big softies for this film, the storyline, Richard Gere, that knockout bitchy shop assistant scene and Julie Roberts’ comeback line “You’re on commission right? Big mistake”. Apart from all that, didn’t every woman want to be Vivien, (not exactly in her shoes at the start of the film pounding the pavement), at least her full, gorgeous, curly locks? They really added life and vivacity to the persona that Julia Roberts portrayed. Her curly hair was all woman, her hair colour was deep, with unrestricted bounce, just like the character of Vivien – richly complex but free. We can almost hear the Pretty Woman soundtrack, “Wild Women do…and they don’t regret it…”
Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman
7. Wonder Woman (2017)
We’re not kidding, we’ve got clients asking for the “Gal Gadot” aka Wonder Woman hair in the film! It’s no surprise as the film is such a hit, the average woman can’t help but be inspired. We can’t have the full Wonder Woman superpowers, but every woman can surely have that telegenic, scene stealer of a blow dry?
Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City
8. Sex and the City (2008)
chosen by Colleen, Stylist & Colourist
Carrie Bradshaw’s fashion icon status is undisputed, but don’t downplay the role that her hair plays in her overall style factor. The way that SJP carries Carrie’s effortless, ‘everyday’, not overdone hair to go with her eclectic, sexy and fashionista outfits was very in demand. And we admire her chameleon-like ability to own and commit to whatever hairstyle, colour or hair-up she wore, never the other way round.
As we approached the 2010s, minimalism was starting to creep back into fashion, so anything too OTT was frowned apart (except for our Skin Element treatments for brows). Healthy, natural, shiny hair that catches the wind (and the eye of any street style bloggers just around the corner aka The Sartorialist) like those of SJP is a trend that’s rooted to stay.
Sherilyn Fenn in Twin Peaks
9. Twin Peaks (1990)
chosen by Danny Creative Director
Oh, this isn’t a film! Of course we know that, but it’s our Creative Director’s pick, plus it’s red hot right now with its 2017 remake, so shut up. It’s GOING into this list.
Audrey Horne, pitting her brunette against the blonde of Laura Palmer, is sexy and sassy mixed with bucket loads of bitchy, wearing a blow dry of a hairdo that’s way age inappropriate (read: older) for her but no less sophisticated for her left of centre persona. Whoever said everything old is new again, go pay your respects to Audrey first (or even better, get her hair to show it).
Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction
10. Pulp Fiction (1994)
chosen by Millie, Assistant Stylist
From one of the coolest directors ever Quentin Tarantino and arguably coolest film ever, you would expect a super cool hairstyle, and Uma Thurman’s Mia Wallace, OMG! Hands up if you had the classic film poster with Uma up on your bedroom wall in the 90s. It was a statement haircut, glossy, smooth with ultra straight bangs, everything that Uma’s character Mia wasn’t. All naughty and nice at the same time, isn’t that the formula for most statement haircuts of any decade?
Want any of the hairstyles or hair colour above? Pop into Rakis on Collins and ask for the stylists that picked the above film characters. Armed with the best hairdressing skills and professional salon products from L’Oreal Professional, Kerastase and Shu Uemura, you’ll be Closer to feeling every bit the Pretty Woman with stunning hair. Yes, you’ll be in your (Fifth) Element!
Note: All film images sourced from the respective film’s listing on www.imdb.com
