Earlier this year I found myself clinking champagne glasses with some of Australia's leading fashion and beauty editors at a private reception at the Renya Xydis City salon in Sydney where we were all treated to having our hair and makeup professionally done before being whisked off to the Opera House to attend the 2009 Australian Hair Fashion Awards.

The crème de la crème of Australia's hairdressing industry flew in from all around the nation to help commemorate what's fast become one of the biggest events on the fashion and beauty calendar. But while an endless list of stylists, photographers, makeup artists, and hair care lines were all recognised as the evening progressed, as I mingled at the after party I clearly understood how having an immaculate hairstyle nowadays is just as important as being able to boast impeccably stylish clothes.

When you consider ‘hair fashion' is as closely watched as that of haute couture, to be considered as one who truly takes care of the way you look you're also obliged to take into careful consideration the dictates of hair fashion. But just what are the fashion hair trends of 2009? And, are they reflective of what's coming up for the Spring/Summer 2009/10 season?

This year's Australian Hairdresser of the Year recipient is Robert Bava from Parlour Hair in Adelaide. Having taken out the top crown for two consecutive years, there's no doubting his flair for hair, while his collection offers a glimpse of what we can expect this season. Inspired by the current movement in sharp, graphic fashion, Bava sees tough angular shapes mixed with light frizz, block colour, and a slightly rough finish being the hair to wear. However, I also see another hairstyle making a comeback, the updo, and this season's fashion trends are certainly suited for it.

As we commence our return to economic stability on the tail-end of the global financial crisis, it looks to be an exciting time once more for fashion. As a result, a new standard is emerging that's classically inspired with a contemporary edge. A flow-on from last year's flapper trend, fringing is back on the runway. Whether modern and sleek, silken femininity or showgirl burlesque, fringed dresses should really be on everyone's to-buy list this season. Then there's the single-shouldered dress. Asymmetric shoulder-lines are also back in a big way and showing off a shoulder can be subtly sexy and suggestive to the eye, while the possibilities for how to wear it are numerous.

Meanwhile, if you want proof that history and fashion repeat themselves, don't be surprised to find out that Roman and Grecian-inspired clothing have become key fashion trends again. It's both a logical flow-on from the oneshoulder trend, and a natural progression from the flapper.

So, what hairstyle would work with the flapper, the shoulder-line and the Grecian-inspired fashion? Forget the fads of flowing hair, straight and sleek, mermaid waves, and milkmaid braids - it's the staple updo and it's back on the Spring/Summer catwalks in new and interesting forms. The idea behind the updo is that high hair communicates high morale, but it requires both thought and effort. Dior offers a fiercely wired look with a nod to ancient Egypt; Yves Saint Laurent's is grandly sculptural; Gianfranco Ferré's styling is an architectural avalanche; and Lanvin's interpretation is something close to the librarian look, being the most achievable and wearable.

Ultimately, the updo is the most easily inflected of all hairstyles, similar to this season's trends. No longer the choice of icy over-achievers, today's updo can either be a simple rural haystack or something highly sophisticated or elegantly chic.

A mere flick or a twitch can turn it from elegant to sexy. It gives the young a piquant air of jumbled innocence and experience while it lends distinction to older women, focusing attention on lively eyes.

Just to gather the hair at the nape of the neck - easily done even by the unambitious - creates an image of serenity, grace under pressure and calm self-command. In this way, your hair can perfectly complement both what you wear and how you wear it.

Bella Beauty Magazine