This fall, Dallas-based hairstylist Michelle Bowden took her talents straight to Paris Fashion Week. The award-winning Creative Director and Master Haircolorist at Avalon Salon and Spa joined the backstage dream team — her first time styling at a major Fashion Week — under iconic session stylists Pablo Kuemin and Jean Baptiste Santens.
The invite came after Bowden trained with Kuemin in L.A. earlier this year. One masterclass, a standout impression, and weeks later she was booked and boarding a flight to Paris.
Backstage, she helped create hair looks for Giambattista Valli, Niccolò Pasqualetti, and Ottolinger, crafting everything from vintage finger waves to ultra-sleek French twists, all under serious time pressure.
For Bowden, the experience grew an already accomplished fashion résumé. She recently worked on the Neill Collection shoot with powerhouse Aveda creative forces Allen Ruiz and Luis Gonzalez, and is gearing up to produce her own creative collection under Ruiz’s mentorship. She’s also served twice as Color Director for the Elevate team at Aveda Congress.
Below, Bowden shares the five biggest lessons she learned from her first time working backstage at Paris Fashion Week.
1. ORGANIZATION IS CRUCIAL
It was incredible to see how well organized everything was. Everybody had a role and knew what they needed to get done, which is imperative when there are so many people, so much to do, and the stakes are so high. Our team leader, Pablo Kuemin, communicated really well which kept us all on point.
2. WORKSPACE IS TIGHT
The most important thing I learned from show to show was how to work quickly and efficiently in a very tight space. There are a lot of people in the same room with the same goal: a finished complete look from head to toe. I would describe the environment as controlled and organized chaos.
3. PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING
After taking a wig masterclass with Pablo Kuemin, I felt prepared going into Paris Fashion Week. The class helped me be more comfortable working with wigs, and that really showed up at the Ottolinger show. Some of the models needed really long hair, and using wigs and extensions helped us achieve the look.
Pablo also demonstrated a finger-wave set that we needed to do for the Giambattista Valli show. I have never done a whole head finger wave like that, but Pablo made sure everyone was prepared for the task.
Also, before I left, I watched some previous PFW shows to get a feel of what the hair looked like, and I made sure to familiarize myself with the designers I was booked to work on.
4. THE PRESSURE IS ON
I am always up for a challenge and PFW certainly delivered. Fashion Week is for anyone who thrives under pressure and is willing to accept critical feedback for the sake of the final look.
5. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE
People tend to undervalue classic hairstyling techniques. It’s very important to have a solid foundation to build upon, so don’t forget the classics.
The Best Part: The Vibes!
The most enjoyable part of the whole experience for me was walking into a room as the only American on the team, knowing no one, and coming out of this with new friends. I loved meeting and working with different stylists from all over the world.
Then, walking around Paris and seeing the excitement from the paparazzi and other show attendees, and observing the local fashion influencers was like being on a movie set.
The city really becomes an immersive fashion experience. Not only for the attendees and participants, but for the locals as well. There were art installations set up all over the city, and locals could actually go to the park and watch all the shows live on a giant screen. Everyone gets to be a part of it.
Paris is the pinnacle of all Fashion Weeks. It was exhilarating. There was a great vibe in the city overall.