The Rise of 'The Claudia' and the Fake Fringe Revolution
Move over 'the Rachel' from Friends and 'the Fawcett' from the 70s - there's a new era-defining hairstyle taking Britain by storm. 'The Claudia', named after presenter Claudia Winkleman's iconic glossy black block fringe, has become a cultural phenomenon that's spawned memes, dedicated online forums, and even its own fan account on X.
While Winkleman's Traitors-style roll-necks and fingerless gloves are easily copied, achieving her signature fringe requires the kind of commitment usually reserved for marriage. Until now, that is. The beauty world's latest revelation? You can fake the perfect fringe just as easily as you can fake eyelashes.
Testing London's Luxury Clip-In Fringe
At Hadley Yates Studio in Covent Garden, London-based hairstylist and extensions specialist Hadley Yates has launched his own range of fraudulent fringes under his brand Curated. Priced at £35 each, these aren't your average synthetic clip-ins found online for as little as £2.
'We created them so customers can experience what it's like to have a fringe without actually having a fringe,' Yates explains. The difference between synthetic and real hair fringes is stark - like comparing cashmere to polyester. Synthetic versions, made from plastic, tend to look overly shiny and become static, while real hair fringes behave like your natural hair, moving in the wind and withstanding hairdryers.
Yates sources his hair from ethically approved suppliers in India and offers six different colours, ready to wear. For those wanting bespoke adjustments, you can visit his salon or take it to your own hairdresser for trimming or colour matching.
From Office Sensation to Practical Reality
The application process proves surprisingly simple. The fringe sits on a lace base with hand-sewn hair and features a snap clip for security. After darkening the base with L'Oréal root touch-up spray to match natural colouring, Yates places it halfway back on the natural parting for maximum versatility.
The immediate office reaction was overwhelming. 'I have never felt so popular!' became the theme of the day. Colleagues approached with concerned head tilts until learning the fringe was fake - then everyone wanted to touch it. Unlike Emily's 'trauma bangs' in Emily in Paris or Esther's 'crisis bangs' in Nobody Wants This, this style change came without the emotional baggage.
Practical considerations emerged throughout the 24-hour test. Headwear proved challenging - hoods worked fine but beanies required post-wear restyling. The constant sensation of something hovering near the eyelids took getting used to, prompting frequent eyelid fluttering. Yet the convenience of simply removing it when indoors or tired of the style offered undeniable freedom.
The clip-on fringe delivers the style transformation without the long-term commitment, proving that sometimes, the best beauty solutions are the ones you can take off at the end of the day.
