Hair Fair 2008 - holy crap, stuff for guys!

September 9th, 2008 at 10:33am Ryan Darragh

I think it took me four days to get through Hair Fair this year, a combination of spare (okay, I’ll qualify that to “more or less available”) time in my evenings during the week and weekend afternoons. Hey, there was a lot to see–87 hair designers spread across four sims.  That’s a workout even if you’re in good shape.  Somehow it just felt BIGGER this year, although I know the event took up four sims last year too.  [My memory misinformed me--Hair Fair 2007 occupied two sims, not four.  See the Comments for the authoritative scoop.]  The layout this year was a big change from last year’s more mall-like plan.  The build architecture by Rezzable (by Washu Zebrastripe, Damien Fate and Selena Gateaux, hosted in sims provided by Rezzable) reflected Mayan influences, as you can see in the large structure shown here, a kind of “temple” pyramid which served as an arrival/welcome area.  There was a comfortably appointed rest area as well as displays featuring custom styles for auction to benefit Locks of Love and winners of a Flickr photo contest.  Designer booths were arranged in ranks around the central temple in long rows set at angles to one another.  If it sounds confusing–it certainly could be, if for instance I had (hypothetically, of course) crashed or relogged a few times and lost track of where I had already been.  If it sounds exhausting to you–I suppose it might be, especially if you tried to do the whole thing in one sitting.  If it sounds like fun–well, I had a good time shopping (hair whore that I am) and chatted with some nice people along the way.

Think about it this way: I go to Hair Fair so you don’t have to. 

I came home from last year’s Hair Fair with seven styles for men.  Looking back at them now, I think we can agree that Armidi’s “Poynter” was certainly a huge hit.  What about this year?  Well, for what it’s worth I’m featuring about twice as many different styles this year, which is consistent with my perception of both a greater amount and greater variety of quality styles for men this year.  The styles featured here are simply the ones I liked well enough to buy for myself.  My apologies if your favorite isn’t here–I may have missed it somehow (four sims, remember?) or possibly it just didn’t work for me.  These are presented in no particular order, other than layout considerations.

The Fine Print: Yes, most of these styles are shown in some flavor of Red.  Hey, I was shopping for myself!  All permissions are typical for hair (Modify / Copy / No Transfer) unless otherwise noted.  All styles are available in a range of colors unique to each designer.  Prices noted are for single colors.  Some styles packaged as “single colors” may actually include a few or several variations in the same color family.  Some designers also make “fat packs” available, if you want the same style in every color imaginable.  Demos of styles are universally available, and some designers offer color demos as well.  Some styles were debuted at Hair Fair, and not all may be available in designers’ shops right away.

“Ace” by Tami McCoy.  Tami is one of my favorite hair designers, and her completely revamped, all-new hair textures are beautiful.  This style is a little Too Cool for School, or at least Too Cool for His Own Good.  All of Tami’s styles are available in a huge range of colors, including frosted tips; Red True is shown here.  Tami’s styles are No Modify, but they’re scripted for resize and other adjustments.  I’m kind of “old school” here, and I far prefer to adjust hair using the standard edit tools, but I absolutely understand why some designers have made this choice.  If you’re curious, you can read my thoughts on this in more detail (be sure to read the comments).  L$199 at Hairstyles by Tami McCoy (Dixie 90, 88, 422).  Tami is currently rebuilding her shop and restocking with the new hair textures, but it’s scheduled to re-open on 9 September, so hopefully by the time you read this.

“Ian” by Tag Mulligan.  A classic sideswept style with just a few stray wispy strands, neatly cut but not too recently.  The kind of thick hair I don’t actually have in RL, but often wish I did.  The hair texture isn’t shiny but looks like it has some actual depth.  L$99 at Color Me Couture (Ilena Cove 38, 236, 21).

“Hunting” by rika Oyen.  A simple, casual, wavy style with “built-in” sculpted cap.  Handily scripted–just touch the cap to change size or choose from seven different fabric textures.  Permissions on this style are No Modify / No Copy / Transfer, so there’ll be no custom tinting.  Shown in Red, which I personally wouldn’t mind being just a bit brighter…and no tinting, d’oh.  I do so love the cap, though.  L$250 at ARGRACE (zushi 184, 106, 23).

“Scott” by Caligo Ingmann.  I’ve seen (and own) other interpretations of “frat-boy” styles similar to this, but none I like better.  Youthful, fun and spikey, there’s definitely a tube of gel at work on this one.  Shown in Blood, which is beautifully rich and really, truly red.  L$200 at Calico Ingmann Creations (Calico Kitty 124, 94, 38).

“Kale” by Aleri Darkes.  Walks the line between metal band and emo boy.  Shaggy but not messy, just slightly asymmetrical, seriously flexi.  Shown in Grenadine Red.  Not yet out at the main store for Diversity Hair (Addictive 96, 170, 22) when I last checked, but keep an eye out for it.  I’m guessing the price will be L$175, like Aleri’s other styles for men.

“Echo” by Kavar Cleanslate.  Kavar has quickly become another of my favorite hair designers with his creative styles.  His hair textures (revamped not long ago) are rich and detailed, as shown to great effect in this style.  Is it windswept, or controlled chaos?  I think the latter.  Shown in Crimson.  L$250 at Exile (Ivy Falls, 152, 119, 27).

“Relentless” by Kavar Cleanslate.  Another, very different style from the Exile designer.  An extreme side part, perhaps a little grown out, with ends that might be almost (but not quite) out of control.  I can almost feel the clean, cold wind whipping through my hair even now.  Shown in Crimson.  L$250 at Exile (Ivy Falls, 152, 119, 27).

“Riku” by Hayate Ewing.  And now for something completely different.  This style is longer but still sleek and controlled.  And, yes, it’s not in red, which I’ll explain by observing that the demo pack included all available colors, and I was impressed by the shine and highlights in the Honey Blond you see here.  I may add a little red to it later on.  L$200 at Hayate Hair Lab (Kichijoji 97, 144, 24).

“Breeze” by Winter DiPrima.  If the Beatles were getting started today, they’d cut their hair like this.  Executed differently, this style might strike me as too self-conscious or even just precious, but not so here.  I think it’s the slightly shaggy ends that make it clear that you don’t take yourself too seriously.  Shown in Hot Red, which has beautiful sheen and is just to die for.  L$250 at Laqroki (Laqroki 225, 148, 65).

“Kavi” by Novo Zimerman.  Youthful, fun-loving, care-free…the life we all want to lead.  I especially like the slight, inadvertent “rooster tail” in back–it somehow seems the perfect counterpoint to the intentionally dramatic fall over the left eye.  Shown in Sangria.  L$285 at Novocaine (Novocaine 104, 82, 25).

“My Agenda” by Jesseaitui Petion.  I’m pretty sure this is the style Justify mentioned in his comment a few days ago.  I wouldn’t say I like this style more than he does, but I bet I like it just as much.  More hat than hair, but the hat is so gorgeously detailed and so much fun, I can’t quibble over details.  Shown with Red Rust hair.  L$200 at Aitui (Aitui 200, 182, 23).

“Teddy” by machang Pichot.  Another blondish style for Ryan–what’s up with that?  I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve bought styles in this color before and as I recall it takes tints quite nicely.  A total surfer-dude style, especially in the blonds that look sun-bleached.  Shown in Ginger.  L$120 at AOHARU (AOHARU 111, 125, 23).

“NMR32″ by boo Nakamura.  It wasn’t until I reviewed my transactions history to confirm prices for these styles that I remembered that this style had been a freebie at Hair Fair.  Fortunately, it’s also available as a freebie in the shop, and I’d recommend it even if we had to pay for it.  This long style completely frames the face, with a few strands on the sides that won’t quite cooperate and a shock that falls over one eye no matter how often you push it away.

Mr. Oh advised me to be on the lookout for boo’s “Flame” hairstyles while on my Hair Fair odyssey.  Here you see two variations, “Blaze” and “Lava.”  Both use animated textures to simulate flickering flame or oozing magma, and glow adds the final ethereal touch.  Available in different colors for different otherworldly looks.  I anticipate these styles getting a lot of mileage this Halloween.  L$140 each at booN (Zapico 32, 168, 35).  These two styles were graciously photographed by Sean Clancy.  Thanks to Sean and his superior graphics card!

So, there you have it.  Hair Fair 2008 is over, but the glory lives on.  Surely at least one of these styles is calling out to you, “Buy me…wear me…love me!”  What are you waiting for?  Drag your ass out and buy a demo!

One designer I was looking for but didn’t see at Hair Fair was din Raymaker, of Uncleweb Studio.  If you’ve been checking the Notes for my last several posts, you may have put it together that I went on a bit of a rampage at Uncleweb a while back, and I’ve been wearing pretty much nothing but din’s styles for a few weeks now.  The styles themselves cover an immense range, and the color selection is impressive if a bit frustrating–not all styles are available in all colors.  Many styles include two or three slightly different variations, so you can have a lot of fun playing around.  Definitely worth checking out, and regularly at that, as some earlier styles have apparently been retired already.

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: Some

Notes: On Ryan: "Antonio" skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). "Adam" skin by Hart Larsson (PXL Creations). Men's Basic Tees by Maximillion Grant (The Body Politik).

Entry Filed under: AOHARU, ARGRACE, Aitui, Calico Ingmann Creations, Color Me Couture, Diversity Hair, Exile, Freebies, Hair, Hayate's Hair Lab, Laqroki, New Items, Novocaine, Tami McCoy, booN