We're stealing these chic silk scarf-woven braids from Copenhagen Fashion Week

This summer, one accessory has reigned supreme amongst celebrities and fashion folk alike. The silk scarf, in its many exquisite iterations and intricate patterns, has prevailed as the go-to piece for styling in a plethora of ways, from tying around your bag of choice to layering over an existing outfit as a statement sarong.

But as always, Copenhagen Fashion Week inspired us with a different way of utilising this most versatile of accessories—this time as a sophisticated means to elevate our everyday hairstyle.

You might be thinking that silk scarves being wrapped around our hair is nothing new, and you'd be right. 'Old Hollywood' headscarves have been around for decades, popularised in the Forties and Fifties by the great actresses of the decade—as the name suggests—before their recent revival by modern 'It' girls such as Kendall Jenner and Anya Taylor-Joy.

And while this classic method of styling a headscarf was ubiquitous throughout the fashion week crowd this season, it was Baum und Pferdgarten's show which gave us our new favourite iteration of the hair accessory with its elegant silk scarf-woven braids.

Drawing on the collection's equestrian influences, luxury hair brand Oribe created the elevated hairstyle to complement the sartorial elements of heritage checks, classic tailoring, and luxe suede fabrics. Printed silk scarves were present throughout the collection, styled around necklines and tied under the chin, but it was undoubtedly the scarf-woven braids that offered the chicest summer-adjacent take on the accessory.

From the front, the hairstyle portrayed an understated, centre-parted ponytail. It was only when the models pivoted at the end of the runway that the full look—a wrap braid woven through with a silk scarf that fell straight down the model's back—came into focus.

"The equestrian world is all about precision and discipline—yet there’s also this romantic movement when the horse and rider are in perfect sync," shares Nicci Welsh, global principal artist at Oribe. "For Baum, I wanted to capture that same duality: structure with fluidity. We played with long, clean braids, but wove in silk scarves, giving the hair a luxurious, tactile element that felt both heritage and high fashion."

The particular style of silk scarves worn in the show also added an extra element of opulence to the look, opting for floral printed patterns and ornate detailing with lustrous shades of gold, pale blue, emerald green, ruby red, and inky black. Aside from being a superbly chic way to style your hair, this look taps into the personalisation trend we've seen diffusing through fashion, including accessorising with individual bag charms, scarf-wrapped Birkins and yes, even the Labubu craze.

"I think there will be more versions of this tactile trend coming; it won’t just be set in an equestrian theme," says Welsh. "It brings fashion, fabric, and hair texture together in one." As demonstrated in the show, this style can work across a spectrum of hair types, from braids to very fine hair.

How to get the look

Below, Welsh breaks down the styling process for achieving Baum's chic wrapped braids at home:

•    Choose a scarf that’s lightweight and no wider than two inches—too much fabric can overwhelm the braid.
•    Always anchor your scarf at the base with an elastic before you start braiding, so it won’t slip out.
•    If your hair is very silky, add a touch of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray before braiding—it will give you grip and control.
•    Divide the hair into three sections, incorporating the scarf into two of the strands for a consistent weave down the length. Keep the tension firm for a refined finish, securing the end with a black elastic.
•    Let the scarf tails hang loose; this helps add movement and drama.
•    To lock everything in place, a mist of Oribe Impermeable Anti Humidity Spray is perfect for an outside location.

Lead image: Courtesy of Baum Und Pferdgarten

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com/uk


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