Hairstyles appearing on runways are sure to appear on the heads of Ohio University students walking down Court Street this spring, but not on those of most local residents.
Thomas Foughty, hairstylist at JC Penney Co. Salon at the University Mall predicts big hair with plenty of volume will soon replace the poker-straight looks popular now. Last month, The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show models sported straight and voluminous hair with lots of layers and fringe.
It might be a year or two before it hits Athens
but that's what the runways are showing and that's what the people here will be wearing Foughty said.
But he said southeast Ohio residents are reluctant to try new hairstyles.
College kids tend to come from more big-city areas that are already trendy and not afraid of change
he said. People from rural areas are more resistant to change.
He has seen a number of hairstyles during his 21 years as a hairstylist, but too many, he said, have stayed the same.
I still get customers coming in and asking for me to feather their hair. It's pretty bad
he said.
In addition to media outlets, stylists keep abreast of hair trends by attending styling conventions throughout the year, Foughty said.
In Ohio, all professional hairdressers are required to complete at least four hours of continued education each year, he said.
Dianna Loudner, hairstylist at Raphael's Aveda Concept Salon, 18 S. Court St., said she tries to bring styles taught at conventions into Athens, but conservative residents are not likely to try styles that veer far from their usual 'do.
Athens residents are more on the conservative side
she said. But students are more frivolous and willing to try something new.
She said age rather than where the customer calls home also factors into a customer's decision to color or cut.
Since we live in a college town
older women want to try new hairstyles in order to fit in. They don't want to walk around with a typical old lady hairstyle
she said.
However, Athens resident Trinia Tinkham does not think residents are hesitant to try something new.
I think people like to try different things. Nowadays
there are a lot of pretty hairstyles for shorter hair that I like to try when I get tired of the same old style
she said.
Short hairstyles have increased in popularity since celebrities like Halle Berry started sporting cropped hair, Foughty said. Other looks of the moment include lots of wispy layers and spiky details.
