Six months after giving birth to her daughter, Gigi Hadid has returned to the runway. And while her performance was spot on, it was her new look that caught everyone’s attention. Walking in the Versace Fall/Winter 2021 show on March 5, the model debuted a dramatic new ‘do: bright red hair.
“Surprise ?,” she wrote on Instagram, revealing her fiery hair color. Hadid also took to IG Stories to share some behind-the-scenes clips of the dye job, proving the new look isn’t a wig.
Panos Papandrianos, the New York City hairstylist who colored Hadid’s hair, also shared the transformation on his Instagram. “Ginger for Gigi,” he wrote alongside a slideshow of salon photos and video clips. Papandrianos traded in her signature blonde strands for a vibrant copper color that complemented the show’s bold makeup, courtesy of Pat McGrath.
As for the inspiration? Apparently, it was pulled from Anya Taylor Joy’s character in the hit miniseries, The Queen’s Gambit. “She is dedicated to everyone responsible for The Queen’s Gambit,” Hadid wrote in Instagram Stories.
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The clothes were also reminiscent of the fictional world of chess portrayed by Joy. Hadid opened the show in a cropped bustier, skirt and blazer combo before changing into a printed mini dress, accessorized with tights, platform shoes, and beret. Throughout the show, her freshly-dyed red hair was worn parted down the middle and super straight.
Earlier in the day, the model took to Instagram to share how excited she was to be returning to work. “Opening & closing @versace is always an honor and was the best come ’back.’ ⚡️? mostly just lucky to be healthy, working, and in a safe/tested environment to hug so many I’ve missed like family this past year,” she wrote.
Hadid last participated in fashion week during fashion week in February 2020, when she was just a few weeks pregnant with her daughter. She waited until April to announce her pregnancy and gave birth in September. Fans and fellow models alike were happy to welcome Hadid back to the runway, while also complimenting her new look.
Who knows if Gigi Hadid will keep the red hair color, but it sure was an eye-catching way to return to the catwalk.
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