For someone who’s explored just about every frontier in the beauty industry, Vivienne Mackinder found herself in uncharted territory recently, using wigs as a medium for dramatic, angular hair looks central to Malan Breton’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
“This show has been one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done,” the award-winning hairstylist and educator admitted backstage at the Léman Ballroom in New York City, shortly before the models took the runway for “Futures Reimagined, Man Meets Machine, Humachina” — a show fusing sustainability, technology, and artistry.
The hair would be such a critical element that the show was sponsored by wigs.com and BOB Back of Bottle, whose products Mackinder used to create the looks.
Their sculptured, geometric cuts and precision styling mirrored the garments' architectural lines and fueled their theatrical excess and elegance.
And as with any high-level craft that comes across as effortless, getting the wigs to that stage was a heavy lift.
“It’s my wheelhouse because it’s very 1960s–70s geometric,” says Mackinder, adding that the specific techniques required constant experimentation — clippers, steaming, blow-drying, and reworking — often with mixed results.
"Some days, it felt like nonstop trial and error, but in the end, the results were worth every step," she says. "At one point, we had a wig in the fridge! It’s been that kind of process.".
For Mackinder, the show was more than just another gig. It was a creative journey that pushed her skills to the edge, tested her team’s endurance, and celebrated the power of hair to define an era.
Engineering the Future, Strand by Strand
Over three days, Mackinder and her team transformed 35 wigs into futuristic silhouettes in a process that became a crucible of patience and creativity.
“You’re constantly asking: is this wig a good foundation? Will it hold the structure I need? If not, you start over,” she says. “It’s humbling, but it’s also exhilarating when you finally get it right.”
Her inspiration took root in Breton’s vision: “the architecture, the geometry, the precision of angles — that’s where the hair found its footing,” Mackinder says.
“You’ve got this futuristic brief, but you still have to make it look beautiful and wearable. It’s about balance, proportion, and flow.”
LIkened to fabric, the hair became another element in the collection. “I always look at hair like a piece of cloth,” she said. “Is it collapsing? Is it standing up? Does it move in harmony with the garments?
“That’s how you connect hair to bio-textiles like mushroom leather, or smart fabrics that react to light and temperature.”
The backstage environment, while buzzing with pressure, stayed at a simmer thanks to Mackinder’s calm leadership. She'd trained her team ahead of time via Zoom, focusing on wig wrapping, applications, and timing.
“I told them, you’ve got three hours to perfect each model. That means staying calm, focused, and collaborative with the makeup artists and wardrobe team,” she says. “Backstage is organized chaos, but my job is to keep it organized.”
A Style Revolution Unfolds
Mackinder sees the show as a turning point for the industry.
“We’ve had a decade of long hair, balayage, and beach waves. Beautiful, yes, but it’s time for something new," she said.
“This collection feels like the beginning of another revolution. Shorter, sharper haircuts. Precision shapes. It’s a whole different vibe."
“Honestly, this might be the strongest hair statement I’ve seen at a fashion show in years,” Mackinder says. “I think people will look back and say, this was the moment something shifted. It’s breathtaking, distinct, and has the scope to start a movement.”
Reflecting on the ways technology is evolving her craft, Mackinder notes that “hair has always been a reflection of society,
“Now, as we move toward sustainability and smart design, hair must evolve too. This show proves we can push boundaries without losing artistry.
"It’s not about repeating what we’ve done before. It’s about reimagining what beauty looks like in the future.”