Come backstage with us in Rome, alongside Paul Mitchell, as Estetica is the Organiser of the photoshoot to create the JPMS brand’s exclusive international trend collection for 2026.
Estetica Magazine recently had exclusive access behind the scenes in Rome, joining John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) as Organiser of a momentous photoshoot. This collaborative event saw the expert team craft an international cut, colour, and style collection. We witnessed firsthand the intricate process of creating and designing innovative looks that will define hair trends for 2026.
The Vision for 2026: A Year of Redirection
The 2026 hair landscape promises a profound redirection, challenging established norms and pushing for urgent change across society and industry. This transformative ethos deeply influenced the collection’s vibrant colour palette. Expect a captivating mix of urgent brights, earthy and offbeat naturals, alongside calming tinted tones. These trends embody qualities like eco-accountability, diversity, rebellious resistance, escapism, and the search for spirituality.
Introducing the Trend-Led Colour Palette
The collection unveils inspiring key colour trends for 2026, each reflecting this overarching redirection and a unique mood. Transformative Teal embodies eco-accountability and a restorative character. Electric Fuchsia brings vivid neon with a provocative, rebellious attitude. Blue Aura offers soothing yet modern qualities, inspired by light and shade. Amber Haze radiates a rich, energising quality reminiscent of stones and crystals. Finally, Jelly Mint showcases youthful, playful notes with an escapist, iridescent finish. This diverse palette truly captures the spirit of the evolving times.
Master Artists at Work
The meticulous creation of this collection brought together a stellar line-up of JPMS artistic talent. Noogie Thai, Artistic Director at JPMS, led the styling as Style Lead Artist, supported by Severine Papin. For the colour, Colin Caruso, Artistic Director at JPMS, directed as Colour Lead Artist, with Vivienne Colovic offering crucial support. Hair cutting artistry came courtesy of Maria Muller and Andrea Querzola, ensuring precision in every look.
Insights from the Experts
Luca Pissimiglia, Sales & Digital Director, Estetica Network, spoke with the artists to capture their insights. Colin Caruso shared his excitement about current colour trends: “Never before have people been so excited about colour. Obviously, you have so many things trending on social media. So people really want to express themselves with colour, whether that’s just covering their grey, you know, going through the basics or, you know, adding pops of colour into blondes, doing beautiful, different ways to express yourself. So my number one answer is, just talk to your guests, push colour, have fun with it, and you never know what you’re going to get back.”
Colin also reflected on how the collection reflects Paul Mitchell’s direction: “For us it’s really always about putting the customer or the model first. That’s always what we do. We want to make sure that that model loves her hair number one. But then expressing yourself, doing something different, reinventing yourself, having fun. That’s really what Paul Mitchell is all about, attracting a new audience so we can grow together and have a great, great future.” Vivienne Colovic, a JPMS educator and hairdresser, highlighted the energetic atmosphere: “I can’t remember the last time when we have so much fun with colour and we’re on a perfect match for the trends this year and into 2026 as well.”
Style Lead Artist Noogie Thai discussed his hero styling products for creative collections: “That’s a really hard choice! And also, I have so many, so many, favourite products, but the one that I really go to for photoshoots is Extra Body Firm Finishing. It gives me the hold that I want, but also allows me to work and reshape the style.” Noogie also expressed his enduring love for Paul Mitchell: “I have loved working for Paul Mitchell ever since the beginning. The support that the brand gives to both us as lead artists and to everyone working in the salon, is second to none.”
With Special Thanks
A project of this scale truly thrives on collaboration. Our sincere thanks go to:
- Zoë Vears – Director, International Marketing at JPMS
- Simona Lenza – Marketing Director at JPMS Italia
- Rosalba de Francesco – Casting Director & Fashion Coordinator, Mazzini Eventi (in partnership with Estetica Magazine)
- Luca Pissimiglia – Sales & Digital Director, Estetica Network
- Jennifer Hazen – Director, Learning & Development, International Sales at JPMS
And a huge thank you to the talented Photography and Videography Team: Marco Struffi, Mario Caponi, Andrea Belli, Florine Leturgez and Francesca Pannunzi.
Unlocking Future Trends
This exclusive glimpse Backstage with Paul Mitchell reveals the meticulous artistry and forward-thinking vision behind their 2026 International Collection. These stunning new images, capturing the essence of redirection and the vibrant colour trends, will appear exclusively in Estetica Magazine’s Winter issues this December. Prepare to be inspired by the future of hair!