A number of Manhattan’s top hair salons have reported a surge in demand for “Kate Middleton bangs”, with many clients bringing pictures of the British Royal to show their stylists.
Yarok Hair founder Mordechai Alvow, whose clients include Melania and Ivanka Trump, says his phone has been ringing off the hook since the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out with her new do on Tuesday evening.
“There has absolutely been a surge in demand for long bangs,” he said, adding that they are in keeping with current fashion trends.
“Designers have been showing a lot of retro Seventies looks and they are a great match.”
Singer-songwriter Leah Blishi, 37, a client of Mordechai Alvow, admits she had been in two minds about going for the chop, but when Kate Middleton’s new look made the headlines, she was convinced.
“I was thinking about having long bangs for a while and I’m so pleased I went for it,” Leah Blishi said.
Stylists agree that long, centrally-parted bangs are a look that works on almost every face shape.
Gardner Edmunds at the Marie Robinson Salon adds that they are low-maintenance too.
“Aside from [Kate’s] obvious allure, clients have been asking for her new long bangs because it’s a low risk option for a big impact change because as the bang grows out it eventually blends in with the rest of your long layers,” he explained.
They should be executed with care though – get it wrong and the client must wait weeks until the unfortunate mistake grows out.
According to celebrity stylist Oscar Blandi, owner of New York’s Oscar Blandi Salon, proportion is the key.
“Anyone can wear this look, but it’s important that the cut is well-proportioned and tailored to the woman’s bone structure and hair line,” he says.
“The length of the bang depends heavily on these things.”
Luckily for Richard Ward, the top London stylist behind Kate Middleton’s cut, his New York counterparts give it their seal of approval.
“Kate’s bangs are angled towards the end of the eyebrows framing her face beautifully which is a more Seventies look,” Mordechai Alvow observes.
The cut is versatile too, according to Gardner Edmunds: “The length of her bang accentuates her cheek bones and draws attention to her eyes.”
“It’s versatile because you can part it on the side creating a dramatic sweep across the forehead or stick with a classic center part.”
But it seems this surge in interest is just the start for the “Kate look”.
Oscar Blandi believes long bangs are on the verge of a major comeback.
“Kate is constantly in the public eye and a style icon for women all over the world, so I can see this look coming back as a result,” he said.
