Step Inside New York Fashion Week With Nicky Clarke

Step inside New York Fashion Week with Nicky Clarke. The brand collaborated with SFRUNWAY, Sam Finger and 5000, where their range of professional grade styling tools, including the AirStyle PRO infrared and ionic dryer & styler and a new launch, the InfraRed PRO flat iron, were used by the hair teams at the show. Read on to learn more about each of the shows. 

Nicky Clarke's AirStyle PRO at New York Fashion Week.Courtesy of Felicia Carter

SFWRUNWAY

SFWRUNWAY’s New York Fashion Week showcases are celebrated for their inclusivity, spotlighting underrepresented and innovative designers. Nicky Clarke was handpicked by SFWRUNWAY’s Beauty Director Tianna Dilligard as the official hair tool sponsor. Nicky Clarke was handpicked by SFWRUNWAY’s Beauty Director Tianna Dilligard as the official hair tool sponsor.Courtesy of Felicia Carter

"My team relies on top-of-the-line products, and in a setting like New York Fashion Week, where we operate on a fast-paced schedule, these products need to deliver exceptional results quickly," said Tianna Dilligard. "I’ve personally used Nicky Clarke for over a year now, and my team and I are extremely impressed with the quality and performance of these tools. They have proven effective on all hair types and textures, which is crucial, especially at Fashion Week."

Curated by SFWRUNWAY founder Naomi Alabi, the event highlighted:

• Maison Diaspora: A showcase of African designers blending traditional motifs with contemporary fashion, accompanied by African music and performances.
• NYFW CURVE Plus Size Collective: A platform celebrating body positivity through cutting-edge designs for all body types.
• Black in Fashion Streetwear Collective: Honoring Black pioneers and featuring designers like HoodLVM, Joseph McCree, and Timothy Nash, blending fashion with pop culture, innovation and activism.

The looks featured six different hair looks. Below, Dilligard shares tutorials for two of the looks: spiky space buns and big natural textured hair.

Editorial Spiky Space Buns 

This look combines a playful, edgy style with a polished finish, perfect for making a statement. Editorial Spiky Space BunsCourtesy of Joseph Phillips

Step 1: Prepare the Hair 

• Section the Hair: Begin by parting the model's hair down the middle to create two equal sections. Use a rattail comb for a precise part.

Step 2: Smooth and Secure

• Apply Edge Control: Use an Edge Booster Wax Stick to smooth down any flyaways and brush each section into place. This helps achieve a sleek, polished look.
• Create High Ponytails: Gather each section into high ponytails, securing them with elastic bands. Ensure the ponytails are positioned symmetrically on the head.

Step 3: Add Shine and Texture 

• Enhance with Shine Spray: Lightly spray Nicky Clarke Hair Raising Spray onto the ponytails to add shine and texture. This product also provides grip and a light hold.
• Smooth the Ponytails: Use a brush to ensure the ponytails are smooth and free of tangles before moving on.

Step 4: Form the Buns

• Twist and Secure: Twist each ponytail into a messy, textured bun. The goal is to achieve an effortless look, so don’t worry about perfection. Secure each bun with bobby pins, ensuring they feel stable yet freeform.

Step 5: Create the Spiky Effect This look combines a playful, edgy style with a polished finish, perfect for making a statement.Courtesy of Joseph Phillips

• Pull Out Small Sections: Gently pull out small strands of hair from each bun to create a spiky effect. This adds an edgy flair that is essential for the editorial style.
• Lock in Place: Apply extra hold hairspray to these sections to ensure they stay in place throughout the event.
• Define Spikes: Use the Nicky Clarke InfraRed PRO flat iron to lift and define the spikes, giving them a structured yet playful appearance.

Step 6: Style Baby Hairs 

• Frame the Face: Take small pieces of hair around the model's face and use an edge control product to create soft swirls across the forehead. This adds a touch of elegance and frames the face beautifully.

Step 7: Finalize and Set 

• Set the Style: Finish by using the Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO with the diffuser attachment to set the style in place.

Big Natural Textured Hair 

This style celebrates natural curls and volume, making it perfect for any model or client looking to embrace their texture.

Step 1: Wet the Hair This style celebrates natural curls and volume, making it perfect for any model or client looking to embrace their texture.Courtesy of Joseph Phillips

• Hydrate the Hair: Begin by thoroughly wetting the model's hair with water. This step is crucial as it prepares the hair for product application and helps define curls.

Step 2: Apply Product

• Comb Through Product: While the hair is still wet, use a wide-tooth comb to distribute a curling gel evenly throughout the hair. This product will help achieve a defined curl pattern and enhance the natural texture.

Step 3: Drying Technique

• Use a Diffuser: Attach the Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO diffuser, set it to a low heat setting to gently dry the curls without disturbing their natural pattern. Hold the diffuser under sections of hair, allowing the curls to cup in the bowl of the diffuser for added volume.

Step 4: Fluff and Define 

• Fluff for Volume: Once the hair is completely dry, use your fingers to fluff out the curls gently. This will create more volume and give the hair a fuller appearance.

Step 5: Final Touches 

• Adjust as Needed: Assess the overall look and make any adjustments by adding more curling gel if necessary or defining specific curls with your fingers.

Sam Finger Sam Finger's Spring/Summer 2025 collection shown at New York Fashion Week was titled "HEAT WAVE" and drew inspiration from several key themes.Courtesy of Karla Tomanelli

T. Cooper is at NYC-based makeup artist and hairstylist, renowned for her work in commercial, editorial, advertising, fashion, television and weddings. She is the founder of Major Face, a beauty service company that offers a comprehensive range of on-demand beauty services including makeup, hairstyling, extensions and grooming for both men and women. Major Face is notable for its commitment to inclusivity, catering to diverse skin tones and hair types, particularly focusing on textured hair.

T. Cooper has established herself as a sought-after artist, working with numerous celebrities and consistently having teams at New York Fashion Week. This season marks her team's second season using Nicky Clarke hair tools at the shows.

Sam Finger's Spring/Summer 2025 collection shown at New York Fashion Week was titled "HEAT WAVE" and drew inspiration from several key themes including climate change and global warming (the collection explored the social impacts of dressing in an era of rising temperatures and environmental concerns), cultural shifts (Finger incorporated elements that reflected on current "culture wars" and societal changes), the rise of artificial intelligence, inclusivity and diversity (Finger presented a diverse cast of models to emphasize the brand's commitment to representation), sustainability (the collection likely featured upcycled and ethically-produced materials) and genderless design (the collection included both menswear and womenswear pieces, but with a focus on unisex styling that challenged traditional fashion norms).

“For Sam Finger’s show, the vibe was much more fun and theatrical, every model had their own character. We took inspiration from Sam’s sketches, burlesque and punk photos," Cooper explains. "The Nicky Clarke InfraRed PRO flat iron was essential in creating curls, spikes and smoothing out hair before braiding. I love that the iron styles hair so well without causing damage. It was our best kept secret for creating fashionable, statement looks.”

5000 The inspiration for the 5000 Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear show was rooted in underground punk culture, specifically drawing from a venue called Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco.Courtesy of Felicia Carter

The inspiration for the 5000 Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear show was rooted in underground punk culture, specifically drawing from a venue called Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco - a Filipino eatery-turned-nightclub, affectionately known as "The Mab." The collection embraced a punk club kid aesthetic, evident in the hair, makeup and styling choices. Thompson combined this raw edge with his signature structured tailoring, creating a unique blend of underground inspiration and refined craftsmanship.

“At the 5000 show, we wanted the hair to reflect the edginess of the collection, so we kept the look polished with clean lines. Working closely with the designer, we decided to style the hair emphasizing the models’ natural texture," shares Cooper. "He casted each one of them because they were so special, so he did not want to change them. This decision really allowed the clothing to stand out. My team and I relied on the Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO dryer to stretch the roots curly hair and smooth out looser textures, without losing volume. This blower was crucial for achieving the finish we needed while maintaining the integrity of the hair.”