get the NYFW look: amika x Glen Oropeza at Alice + Olivia S/S 2026
sequins, stripes, and a crystal-crusted Lady Liberty the size of my apartment building — Alice + Olivia’s S/S 2026 show was nothing if not extra. the presentation, a maximalist ode to “The American Woman,” took a page from U.S. history books with references that spanned the ages. picture: pop-art patriotism, Western wear, and fast food favorites that were way more than supersized.
backstage, amika stylist collective member Glen Oropeza spun the same story in strands — weaving fabric into glossy braided buns and creating the kind of look that makes you say, “I need to try that immediately.” I watched it all unfold from the prep to the products (all amika, of course!) and left with Glen’s playbook. follow along and the same styles that sparkled in the Alice + Olivia show can be yours too, no backstage pass required.
- the inspo: “preppy girl off-duty”
- the toolkit: amika styling must-haves
- the technique: sleek, sparkly, and surprisingly doable
the inspo: “preppy girl off-duty”
“the collection was all about rugby shirts, so we wanted hair that felt preppy but modern,” Glen explained while pulling a model’s hair into pigtails. “it started out a little whimsical with flyaways, but evolved into something sleeker…it just felt more youthful, more current.”
while the silhouette stayed the same — center parts, a low braided bun, supernova cream to slick it all down — the details shifted from model to model. fabrics were pulled right off the runway to personalize each look: rugby striped bows for some, pearl-studded trim for others, and plenty of rhinestoned ribbons to go around. “everyone had the same base, but the fabrics gave each one individuality,” Glen said with a smile.
the toolkit: amika styling must-haves
every good braid needs a strong supporting cast and Glen’s kit was stacked. here are the amika staples he reached for again and again to nail the look.
- the wizard detangling primer: used for prep, smoothing out parts, adding slip, and hydrating strands before styling.
- supernova moisture + shine cream: Glen’s go-to for taming flyaways and keeping braids glossy without stiffness.
- fluxus touchable hairspray: his essential for hold that never feels crunchy.
(insider tip: Glen personally swears by plus size perfect body hair mousse outside of fashion week for volume, “it’s probably my most-used product. it’s just so good.”)
the technique: sleek, sparkly, and surprisingly doable
at first glance, the look reads like “don’t try this unless you’re a pro” but Glen insists otherwise. “it’s actually way easier than you think,” he said while smoothing down baby hairs with a hairsprayed toothbrush. translation: you don’t need a NYFW invite or a glam squad to get the look.
fine-medium hair
- prep damp strands with the wizard detangling primer and brush through.
- blowdry smooth and split your hair in half, creating a clean center part.
- using supernova moisture + shine cream to smooth down flyaways, pull half of your hair into a low ponytail — keeping it close to your part. repeat on the other side.
- mist with fluxus touchable hairspray to add flexible hold and shine (pro tip: use a hairsprayed toothbrush, like Glen, to tame unruly baby hairs).
- wrap a rhinestoned ribbon around the base of your pigtail, hiding the elastic.
- start a 3-strand braid, incorporating the ribbon into the center strand.
- braid your way down the length of hair, keeping the ribbon visible.
- secure the end with a clear elastic and trim the ribbon just above where your hair ends. repeat on the other side.
- cross the two braids, then wrap them around each other to form a chignon.
- use bobby pins to secure it all in place, tucking the ends under the braided bun for a seamless finish.
- finish it off with a generous mist of top gloss shine spray.
highly textured hair
- prep damp strands with hydro rush leave-in conditioner or velveteen dream smoothing balm.
- blowdry smooth and split your hair in half, creating a clean center part.
- flat iron hair to smooth and condense the roots.
- using supernova moisture + shine cream to smooth down flyaways, pull half of your hair into a low pigtail — keeping it close to your part. repeat on the other side.
- mist with fluxus touchable hairspray to add flexible hold and shine (pro tip: use a hairsprayed toothbrush, like Glen, to tame unruly baby hairs).
- wrap a rhinestoned ribbon around the base of your pigtail, hiding the elastic.
- start a 3-strand braid, incorporating the ribbon into the center strand.
- braid your way down the length of hair, keeping the ribbon visible.
- secure the end with a clear elastic and trim the ribbon just above where your hair ends. repeat on the other side.
- cross the two braids, then wrap them around each other to form a chignon.
- use bobby pins to secure it all in place, tucking the ends under the braided bun for a seamless finish.
- finish it off with a generous mist of top gloss shine spray.
