Release - Fishtail and French Plait

Text and Images by Jamie Harrison // Published Tuesday 12 June 2012

Callam Warrington's session catwalk tutorial covers two essential techniques a fishtail and a French plait. Callam begins the fishtail with a triangular section from the front to the top of the ear, then another triangular section in the back to the occipital bone. The hair is twisted to create a knot at the base. The hair is twisted again, fed round and secured and appropriate product is applied to smooth.

The right-hand side back panel is separated into two parts down the middle, then a further smaller division on the right-hand side is crossed over to the left. A small division on the left side then crosses over to the right to begin the format for the fishtail, which is worked on both sides. Callam then smoothes small sections of the front hairline to achieve a tight knot with elements of wet look smooth to juxtapose against the undone fishtail plaits and create a contrast of texture and shape. 

The French plait centres from the top of the head just in front of the crown and begins by creating three strands. Each outside strand is passed over the middle strand and extra hair is added to both sides throughout the process. This format continues in a circular motion around the crown, over the fringe area and across the head to achieve a soft, diffused ethereal update of this global, historic classic for a contemporary editorial finish.

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