Anthony Bayer spills the tea on the secret to his success and what ultimately led him backstage at NYFW
From Hamilton beginnings to the catwalks of New York Fashion Week, Anthony Bayer’s meteoric rise has been anything but ordinary. Fuelled by early inspirations from his mother and an unstoppable drive, he’s gone from after-school salon shifts to crafting runway-ready looks for top designers. With Joico powering his kit and a fearless creative vision, the stylist shares the secrets and advice so vital to his success.
Before the awards, fashion weeks, and owning your own salon, what was the spark that first made you fall in love with hair? Was there a defining moment or muse that lit the fire?
As a kid growing up, my mum and older sister always inspired me. I remember watching my mum get ready to dress her brides on their wedding day—she was a bridal dressmaker. From around the age of eight, she would let me brush her hair and pin it into a style before she headed off. It was my sister who first suggested I try hairdressing. She had a friend who was a hairdresser and helped get me an after-school job in a salon when I was 14. I absolutely loved it. I felt at home there, completely in my element, watching hair transformations happen and seeing how powerful a fresh cut and colour could make someone feel.
NYFW is the stuff of dreams for many stylists—how did it actually feel to step backstage and create looks for top designers with Joico in your kit? Did it live up to the fantasy?
It was 100% a dream come true. This was actually my second season. I grew up watching shows like The Hills, The City, and America's Next Top Model, so my 19-year-old self was having a massive pinch-me moment working backstage at shows produced by the one and only Kelly Cutrone. I had the incredible opportunity to work with her for the closing set of the 2025 Fashion Week—One Night in Bangkok. The show brought together four major designers—Matter Makers, Merge, Vickterrut, and Vinn Patararin—into one powerful showcase, with the grand finale closed by none other than Anna Delvey. It was bold, chaotic, and unforgettable—in the best possible way. This season, I was incredibly lucky to have support from Joico. Not only is Joico a fantastic professional range, but they genuinely understand my career goals and dreams for the future.
Any runway drama or celeb sightings?
One of my first runway experiences at NYFW was definitely memorable. I had a model whose hair we needed to colour pink using spray-in colour, but it just wasn’t working on his hair. I ended up having to run to the bathroom to rinse it out, but of course, the taps were sensor-activated and kept stopping and starting! In the end, we sprinted to the event kitchen and rinsed the pink out in the sink there. My hands were stained bright pink for the rest of fashion week.
Joico has a massive following for a reason—what products are you currently obsessed with, and how do they hold up under the pressure of high-fashion, high-speed styling?
We did a show for SHAO New York, focusing heavily on wet-look styles. Joico’s JoiGel Medium styling gel was an absolute hero product for this. It’s lightweight but still holds and keeps the hair looking clean and wet, but doesn’t dry out mid-styling, which is so important when working under time pressure. Another must-have in my kit is the JoiMist finishing spray range—honestly, it’s the best hairspray line I’ve used.
What cuts, colours, or styling trends are catching your eye right now? What can we expect to see rise in popularity this winter?
This winter, I think we’re going to see a major influx of deep coppers, rich auburns, and chestnut browns. As the weather cools down, warmer tones will dominate, reflecting those rich, earthy shades that offer a soft, natural-looking transition into the colder months. I think we’ll see a strong resurgence of millennial-inspired styles. Think staple side partings, long seamless layers, and precision-cut box bobs designed to show off colour and structure.
THE HAIR - For SHAO New York's FW 25 Show, @tedgibson @starring
CREATIVE DIRECTION: @michael_eland_
@earthquakemgmt
STYLING: @altorrin
HAIR: @tedgibson @starring
MAKEUP: @romerojennings @macpro
@maccosmetics
PHOTO: @happymonday @humai, @theimpression.
VENUE: @houseoftheredpear
JEWELRY DESIGN: @reyes_roderick
FRONT OF HOUSE + PR: @Ler_Publicity
PRODUCTION: @Nolchashows
Special thanks to The Tin Building
@brightchecksecure and @the_datavault
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