Nicky Clarke Returns to New York Fashion Week With GUVANCH Partnership

Feb 12th, 2025

Behind the scenes at GUVANCH's NYFW show, where a model is being prepped by hairstylists and makeup artists.

The hair team, led by key lead hairstylist Yuhi and assistant lead hairstylist Tianna Dilligard, utilized Nicky Clarke hair tools to create distinct looks that evolved through the show's three acts of hell, purgatory and heaven.

Courtesy of Aliza Yuh

In a transformative show at New York Fashion Week, designer GUVANCH presented "Dowzah," a collection where the hairstyling played a crucial role in bringing the artistic vision to life. The hair team, led by key lead hairstylist Yuhi and assistant lead hairstylist Tianna Dilligard, utilized Nicky Clarke hair tools to create distinct looks that evolved through the show's three acts of hell, purgatory and heaven. Their artistry helped convey the emotional journey, culminating in the ethereal finale, where models emerged with wet-look styling and blonde hair to symbolize heavenly transcendence.

Tianna Dilligard and GUVANCH at NYFWCourtesy of Aliza YuhThe collection itself was a masterpiece of craftsmanship and storytelling, featuring more than 40 handcrafted looks that marked a historic moment in fashion week history by featuring the largest number of transgender models ever to walk a NYFW runway.

Inspired by Dante's Inferno, the show was an immersive experience enhanced by smoke effects, live orchestral music and dynamic lighting that transported viewers through three distinct realms. Each garment, requiring hundreds of hours of handwork, showcased GUVANCH's signature fusion of destruction and beauty, from burned edges and torn drapery in the "hell" segment to radiant, fluid pieces in the heavenly finale.

The significance of the show extended beyond its artistic merits, strengthening GUVANCH's position as a boundary-pushing New York-based brand that approaches fashion as visceral art. Born in Turkmenistan, where self-expression was a form of quiet rebellion, GUVANCH has created a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community through his work. The show's progression from darkness to light, enhanced by the strategic use of Nicky Clarke styling tools and expert hair direction, perfectly embodied the designer's commitment to creating fashion that isn't merely worn but deeply felt.

GUVANCH NYFW Hairstyles

The show featured six show-stopping hair looks: Modern pixie mullets and flat-ironed pixies sported by models at GUVANCH's NYFW show.Courtesy of Aliza Yuh

Flat ironed pixies
Long, straight hair – natural or wigs/extensions (all flat ironed)
Modern pixie mullets (flat ironed)
Natural waves on natural hair or wigs/extensions (blow dried and some enhanced with flat iron waves)
Braids
Head pieces and feathers

The Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO and the Nicky Clarke InfraRed PRO Flat Iron were used by the hair team to bring these looks together. There were a lot of prep days before the show getting hair pieces and wigs together, and the InfraRed PRO played a crucial role in that process.

Model sporting a feathered hairstyle at GUVANCH's NYFW show.Courtesy of Aliza YuhTianna noted how well this flat iron works on all types of hair, including wigs and extensions. On show day, the dryer and flat iron were used to prep models. Feedback included how incredibly light and fast the dryer is and how hair transforms under the flat iron, leaving it silky smooth and frizz-free. In the craze of fashion week, with a room full of models, stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists, etc., it was also noted that the hair dryer is surprisingly quiet.

The Nicky Clarke InfraRed PRO Flat Iron has rounded edges and made straightening the pixies easy, without worrying about burning the scalp. Stylists also pointed out the snag-free design and super fast heat up. Several styles had extensions applied for color contrast, and looks were enhanced with feathers and head pieces for many models. Several models also sported natural (or enhanced) waves (achieved with AirStyle PRO blow-drying with diffuser and/or InfraRed PRO to create flat iron waves). A few models had modern pixie mullets – those were also created and perfected with the flat iron.