Backstage at LUAR: Sonny Molina Brings the Hair Heat with TRESemmé for NYFW S/S 2026
On Monday, September 15, The Knockturnal went to the LUAR BOH to watch famed celebrity hairstylist Sonny Molina bring the hair heat with TRESemmé — The perfect fashion week pairing.
Molina used the TRESemmé A-List Collection to craft custom “carnival coifs” for the LUAR Spring/Summer 2026 runway show at New York Fashion Week.
The theme? Carnival.
The inspiration? The Regal Feather.
Sonny shared:
“The Regal Feather draws inspiration from Carnival — a vibrant celebration of life, community, and culture. It’s all about adorning yourself, stepping into the spirit of the moment, and embracing joy. We also wanted to reflect this fantasy, weaving together the essence of the clothes into the hair for a combined aura of celebration and imagination.” Fantastic, imaginative, celebratory, and just fabulous are exactly how one would describe the hairstyles. There were even beaded pigtails that went down the runway swinging like a sassy pendulum as they went.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: A model prepares backstage for TRESemme X Luar on September 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: A model prepares backstage for TRESemme X Luar on September 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: A model prepares backstage for TRESemme X Luar on September 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme)
Since LUAR is no stranger to the avant-garde, it’s only fitting that the hair design matched that same energy.
Thirty-six floors above the city at LUAR’s BOH, the Knockturnal was greeted with sweeping NYC views — only distracted by watching Sonny at work, creating art. By 12:30 p.m., Molina was in the middle of a live demo for a team of about 25 stylists prepping for the evening’s 8 p.m. show.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white.) Sonny Molina prepares a model backstage for TRESemme X Luar on September 15, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme)
With around 40 models scheduled to walk, stylists gathered — standing and seated — closely watching Molina as he crafted one of the looks inspired by the feathers they’d soon be using. He emphasized comfort and precision, telling the team,
“Make sure your model is comfortable, but keep their head stable.”
And when it came to direction, Sonny was clear:
“Everything should be going up.”
The hair accessories for the look were just as bold and vibrant as the clothes — including strung beads and baubles, pre-braided buns, silk flowers, marabou, and feathers of all colors, shapes, and sizes.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: Stylist Sonny Molina (R) and a model prepare backstage for TRESemme X Luar on September 15, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme)
The styling team used key products from the TRESemmé A-List Collection.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: TRESemmé products are used backstage for TRESemmé X Luar on September 15, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme)
You can find the TRESemmé A-List Collection Instant Fix Styling Stick exclusively available at Target. Some of the products used included:
- TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse
- TRESemmé A-List Collection Workable Hairspray
- TRESemmé Freeze Hold Gel
- TRESemmé A-List Collection Instant Fix Styling Stick
Want to recreate the look at home?
Here’s how to achieve Sonny Molina’s Regal Feather hair design from LUAR’s S/S 2026 NYFW show:
How to Get the Look:
STEP 1:
Prep the hair with TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse from roots to ends. Blow-dry at the root to mold the hair into a ponytail.
STEP 2:
Once the ponytail is in place, spray with TRESemmé A-List Collection Workable Hairspray to lock in shape. Then layer on TRESemmé Freeze Hold Gel to add shine and long-lasting hold.
STEP 3:
Use the TRESemmé A-List Collection Instant Fix Styling Stick, focusing on the hairline to achieve a sleek, clean finish.
STEP 4:
Apply more Extra Hold Mousse to the ponytail length until wet, then twist into a bun shape.
STEP 5:
Decorate the bun with feathers and beads, building it out like the center of a blooming flower. Finish with another mist of Workable Hairspray to set the entire look.
You can also find these TRESemmé A-List products here!
