During Milan Fashion Week, models at Missoni's fall 2026 ready-to-wear presentation appeared with pigtail braids, highlighting a shift toward playful hairstyles. Creative director Alberto Caliri presented a collection focused on layered outerwear, complemented by distinctive hair options including the 'Olsen tuck' and braids.
On Wednesday, as part of Milan Fashion Week, Missoni unveiled its fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection under the direction of Alberto Caliri. The show emphasized layer-heavy outerwear, with models sporting popped collars and multicolored scarves around their necks. Hairstyling played a key role, offering two main looks: the 'Olsen tuck,' where hair messily spilled out from cold-weather gear, and pigtail braids, positioned with one braid in front of the shoulder and the other behind.
The pigtail braids were created by hair artist Damien Boissinot, known for his work with brands like Sportmax, Isabel Marant, and Balmain. Boissinot has previously incorporated texture and frizz to add vitality to looks, and at Missoni, the styles maintained an energetic feel without excessive wildness.
This presentation aligns with a broader trend in fashion toward embracing playful beauty, moving away from the minimalistic 'clean girl' aesthetic. Beauty professionals have noted a desire for more authentic representations of the working woman. For instance, at New York Fashion Week, hairstylists introduced messy makeup, bedhead, and quiet ponytails to celebrate imperfections.
A notable example came from Collina Strada, where lead hairstylist Mustafa Yanaz crafted big, messy, vampy hair using real-hair wigs and products from Bumble and bumble. Yanaz explained to WWD: "The season is cold and dark. People aren’t going out of the house. So, you sleep and tease and wake up, and the hair is in the face."
Missoni's approach reflects this evolving preference for textured, lived-in hairstyles amid seasonal influences.