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ESSENTIAL LOOKS from Schwarzkopf Professional brings you GOTHIC ROMANCE, one of four NEW visual moods from the Eclectic Collection for Autumn/ Winter 2008-09. ESSENTIAL LOOKS has a proven track record in translating catwalk couture into a commercial reality and is now celebrating eleven years of success. Each season a handpicked team of Schwarzkopf Professional Session Hairdressers immerse themselves in the fashion weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York, and emerge inspired to create a collection of distinct trends that will lead hairdressers and their salon clients to progress their personal style for the coming season.

The ESSENTIAL LOOKS team for A/W 2008-09 was led by Global Editorial Ambassador Massimo di Stefano who says: “GOTHIC ROMANCE is very loud, but very sexy at the same time. The styles are soft with long wefts, but there is a little bit of sharpness brought in with some broken edges.”

Steve Hogan, Creative Director for Schwarzkopf Professional Essential Looks says: “The main thing about the Eclectic Collection for Essential Looks is that it really is four very different looks. There is something in this collection for every single person. Whether it’s the elegant simplicity of Sculptured Form; the pretty craziness of Eccentric Vintage; Gothic Romance’s brooding and mysterious air; or the beauty, freshness and natural innocence of Country Life. Essential Looks is about seasonal trends, it’s about fashion, but it’s also about having fun.”

ESSENTIAL Elements of Gothic Romance: Strong yet smoulderingly romantic. Mysterious, dangerous, booding. Lace and beaded detailing. Iridescent colours.

Gothic Romance is one of four key trend directions from the ESSENTIAL LOOKS Eclectic Collection for Autumn/Winter 2008-09. This look walks a darkened edge, with sinisterly beautiful styles in hair, clothing and makeup that tend towards the macabre. Summed up by Alexander McQueen’s Victorian Punk dresses in black lace and tulle, this trend sees concoctions of texture mixing rough with smooth, and jewel colours of emerald, sapphire and amethyst set amidst the intensity of browns and blacks. Keeping things decadent and headily romantic, long hair is a must, but luxurious condition is key to emphasise the aristocratic air of the trend, with glossy finishes counterbalancing tousled touches, and multi-toned crimping adding a ghostly air.

Essential Looks is THE seasonal tool for change from Schwarzkopf Professional, delivering wearable, desirable style direct to the salon door in a usable, accessible format that empowers.   Schwarzkopf Professional makes a commitment to the stylist because we deliver creative education on time and on trend plus our step-by-step guides and Essential Looks packs support and inspire. The last decade has established Essential Looks as a common international hair language of fashion motivated style, designed to gift hair professionals with the essence of seasonal inspiration.