Exclusive: How to give your hair the 'AI edge' of this season's 'Ganni Girl'

Who really is the Ganni Girl? This season, the prototype of the brand's Danish dream girl was reimagined by creative drector Ditte Reffstrup. In collaboration with digital artist Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm, the AI iteration of the Ganni Girl was unveiled in the form of an interactive ChatGPT, urging us to harness fashion as a force for good and to, in a direct quote, "initiate ideas to live more responsibly." In line with this positive futuristic slant, the models walking in the collection's silver slip dresses, sharp suiting and space cowboy boots sported hair looks that combined natural elements with a newfound sharpness.

"Every year this phenomenal brand gets stronger and stronger," says hair expert Cim Mahony, reflecting on his longstanding collaboration with Ganni. He puts the strengthening down to the loyal way in which Ganni sticks to its creative partners–from the makeup artists, to stylists and casting directors, "the whole backstage team work as a family now," Mahony says, with a "strong synergy and understanding", which bring to life Reffstrup's genius.

For spring/summer '24, Reffstrup tasks Ganni's backstage family with ensuring "AI contributes to the Ganni universe," according to Mahony. He interpreted this brief by merging his existing repertoire of effortless, trademark hair styles synonymous with the 'Ganni Girl' together AI-inspired hair motifs. The result was a "sharper character', creating techniques spanning from "bold bleach colourings, to sharp-cut bobs and flat-top shapes."

Related: Ganni embraces tech futures with an AI Ganni Girl starring on the runway

"Bold haircuts were the order of the day backstage," he confirms, "to create a sharper member of the 'Ganni Girl' gang." Prior to picking up his scissors, Mahony prepped with "protein spray from Less is More," and accentuated the bluntness of the cut with "clever air styling" using Dyson tools in the direction of the cut.

Next is the secret to the shapely flat-top. Mahony shares that to achieve this, he "uses the wide-tooth comb attachment of Dyson's supersonic dryer," which enables him to slightly stretch out texture and reshape the hair using gentle heat and stretch Barber tape. "The finished shape gives a very minimal and sharp look, but up close the slightly stretched coils also create a beautiful softness," he remarks.

Similar to how Ganni maintained natural elements in the runway staging and the SS24 collection itself, Mahony was also conscious to "retain the quintessential freedom and fun loving nature of the Ganni Girl," across the models' hair, as it was in the makeup – like a subtle silver butterfly on the eyelids. Together, the look represented Ganni's "peaceful message between our mortal world and the infinite world of AI," Mahony says.

Related: They're here: The 'Ganni Girl's don their New Balances once again

For the rest of the models, Mahony created effortlessly undone hair, in keeping with the original DNA of the 'Ganni Girl'. To achieve this, he used the firm brush attachment of a Dyson Airwrap to transform natural curls into "softer, silkier waves with minimal heat." To hold it all together, Mahony spritzed a sprinkling of Davines medium hold hairspray, which Mahony assures that "like Ganni, is B-Corp certified." And for the smoothest finish, he discloses his secret of going over the hairline with a natural tooth brush and hairspray last minute to create the perfect outline. Then, one last blast from Dyson's Supersonic hairdryer to seal in the shine.

With a final line-up filled with, in Mahony's words, "beautiful texture contrasts", the cast are officially runway ready. Following the show, Mahony enthuses the show "was truly magnetic- with an atmosphere that was lifted and otherworldly." Inspired by the future-forward theme, he adds: "Who knows, in the future we might get an AI second opinion for our clients... to feed in tailor-made hair looks that further enhance models individual style and expression," - which is certainly congruent with Ganni's individualistic, fun-loving spirit.

Below, watch Vogue Scandinavia's exclusive video of Mahony in conversation with Reffstrup, diving deeper into the AI-inspired 'Ganni Girl' and the runway's integration of nature, fashion and the future.

Related: The Ganni Gang: Come behind-the-scenes with Ganni during CPHFW SS23