By: Olga Amraie
Beverly Hills, CA – June 2026 –The Fashion Show Awards brought together the Los Angeles fashion community for an unforgettable evening of recognition, creativity, and industry connection. Held at BLVK Book Art Gallery inside Beverly Center, the event celebrated the professionals who help shape the visual language of fashion, designers, models, makeup artists, photographers, bloggers, and beauty experts.
Among the most important honors of the evening was the Best Hair Stylist Award, presented in recognition of outstanding hairstyling artistry and the ability to transform beauty into a powerful fashion statement.
Hair stylists are often the invisible architects of the runway. They do much more than create beautiful hair. They help define the mood of a collection, support the designer’s vision, prepare models for the stage, and make sure every look feels complete from head to toe. On a fashion show day, their work requires speed, precision, creativity, and leadership under pressure.
This year’s winners, Viktoriia Koroleva, Halyna Marchyshak, and Roxy De La Fuente, were recognized not only for their talent behind the chair but also for their leadership backstage. Each of them has participated in fashion shows with The LA Fashion Show team, preparing models for the runway and creating hairstyles that stand out while enhancing the clothing. Their work proves that hair is not just a beauty detail; it is a key part of the fashion story.
Following the ceremony, we spoke with the winners about hair trends for 2026, the role of a team leader backstage, and what it takes for emerging stylists to enter the fashion show world.
Interview with Viktoriia Koroleva
Q: What hair trends do you see becoming important for runway and fashion shows in 2026?
Viktoriia Koroleva:
In 2026, I believe we will see more polished natural textures, strong, clean shapes, and hairstyles that support the designer’s identity instead of distracting from it. Fashion hair is moving toward looks that feel effortless but are actually very carefully structured.
For the runway, the most important thing is balance. The hairstyle must work with the clothing, the makeup, the model’s face, and the full mood of the collection. A beautiful hairstyle alone is not enough; it has to serve the entire visual concept.
Q: What would you recommend to beginning hairstylists who want to work at fashion shows?
Viktoriia Koroleva:
Start by learning discipline, speed, and teamwork. Backstage is not like a salon appointment. You have limited time, many models, changing instructions, and a full creative team depending on you.
If you want to get into fashion shows, start by assisting experienced stylists. Watch how they organize the station, communicate with models, follow the designer’s direction, and stay calm under pressure. A great runway stylist is not only talented, but she is also responsible, organized, and ready to support the whole team.
Interview with Halyna Marchyshak
Q: How do you see the role of hairstylists changing in fashion shows in 2026?
Halyna Marchyshak:
Hairstylists are becoming more involved in the creative identity of a fashion presentation. We are not just finishing the look anymore. We help create the character, energy, and emotional impression of the model on the runway.
In 2026, I think fashion hair will be more expressive but still elegant. Designers want memorable looks, but they also want the clothing to remain the focus. The best hairstyle is the one that makes the outfit stronger.
Q: What is the biggest challenge when leading a team backstage?
Halyna Marchyshak:
As a team leader, you are responsible not only for your own models, but for the final result of the entire hair team. You have to make sure every stylist understands the direction, every model is ready on time, and every look is consistent with the designer’s vision.
Leadership backstage is about calm energy. If the team leader is nervous, everyone feels it. You have to guide, correct, support, and make quick decisions while keeping the atmosphere professional and focused.
Interview with Roxy De La Fuente
Q: What should young hairstylists understand before trying to work on fashion shows?
Roxy De La Fuente:
They should understand that fashion shows are about collaboration. You are working with designers, models, makeup artists, producers, photographers, and other hairstylists. Your job is not only to create a hairstyle, but to help the entire production look professional.
A beginner should build a strong portfolio, say yes to assisting, and be willing to learn. Sometimes your first fashion show experience may not be glamorous, but it teaches you timing, pressure, and backstage discipline. That experience is priceless.
Q: As an HMU Team Leader, what makes a backstage beauty team successful?
Roxy De La Fuente:
A successful team has clear direction, strong communication, and trust. As a leader, I need to see the full picture: which models are ready, which look need adjustments, how much time we have, and whether the hair and makeup match the runway concept.
It is not only about my hands doing the work. It is about guiding a group of professionals so that every model walks out looking complete, confident, and aligned with the designer’s collection. When the team works as one, the runway looks powerful.
Why Hair Stylists Matter in Fashion
The Best Hair Stylist Award highlighted an essential truth: fashion shows depend on the professionals behind the scenes as much as the people on the runway. A designer may create the clothing, but the final image is built through collaboration. Hair stylists help turn a collection into a complete visual story.
Their work frames the model’s face, changes the mood of the outfit, strengthens the silhouette, and creates the kind of memorable runway moments that photographers capture and audiences remember. When the hairstyle is right, the clothing looks more powerful. When the team is organized, the show feels more professional.
At the Fashion Show Awards, Viktoriia Koroleva, Halyna Marchyshak, and Roxy De La Fuente were honored not only as individual artists but as leaders who understand what it means to prepare models, guide teams, and support designers on one of the most demanding stages in fashion.
Their recognition reflects the mission of Fashion Show Awards: to celebrate the full creative community behind the industry and give visibility to the professionals whose work makes fashion in Los Angeles stronger, more polished, and more connected.
