Dark Romanticism at Max Azria

The mood backstage these past few days has been a bit more grim than season's past, with designers, stylists and makeup artists all channeling a more somber beauty aesthetic.

For the Fall 2009 Max Azria fashion show, the feeling was one of finding beauty amidst the grimness. The collection was a darkly detailed one that featured lots of black, lace and high collars.

Bumble and bumble lead stylist Laurent Philippon created an organic look that he called "Black Romantic."

He took a three-inch section of hair across the top of the head and braided it. He then took each side section and individually braided them. Hair was sprayed with Bumble and bumble Prep and then left to set in order to create the desired texture. "If we kept hair straight it would be too structured," said Philippon. "We want pieces to fall."

When braids were dry they were undone and finger-combed through with "lots and lots" of styling wax. Philippon then twisted the top section of hair all the way to the end, creating tension that helped pull the hair into a loose coil that was pinned in place.

An inch or so of the ends were left loose on the back of the neck to complete the slightly deconstructed style.