The headband has had a major revival the last few years, and for good reason. It has a great versatility: from chic preppy looks to cottage core or 90s street style, the headband adapts effortlessly and gives maximum impact with minimal effort.

It’s an accessory that instantly elevates a look and makes even the simplest outfit look more polished and put together.

The headband was immortalised in some of the most iconic vintage movie scenes, let’s explore some of the moments that make it a legendary fashion accessory.

Brigitte Bardot

In the movie “Contempt” 1963

Brigitte Bardot is undeniably one of the first icons who comes to mind when we talk about headbands. While she didn’t wear them constantly, her unforgettable appearance in Jean-Luc Godard’s Nouvelle Vague classic movie Contempt (Le Mépris) left a lasting mark.

Stylishly wearing a wide headband, mesmerizing cat-eye makeup, and a striped top on the sun-drenched French Riviera, Bardot created a look so striking that it became a timeless reference in both fashion and cinema history, forever linking her image to the headband.

Bardot didn’t just wear the headband, she made it unforgettable.

Anna Karina

In the movie “My Life to Live” 1962

A year before Bardot’s iconic role in Contempt, Godard directed the film My Life to Live (Vivre Sa Vie), starring his then wife and muse, Anna Karina. With her dark bob, signature cat-eye makeup, and a simple headband, Karina embodied the quintessential 1960s French look where the headband wasn’t just an accessory, but a major defining detail of her timeless allure.

Romy Schneider

In the movie “The Things of Life” 1970

Romy Schneider’s headband look in "The Things of Life" (Les Choses de la Vie) is one of those quietly iconic moments in cinema where style and emotion blend so seamlessly, it feels effortless. The headband is simple in a white colour matching her dress but it adds definition, structure and quiet sophistication to her look.

It’s a classic example of French elegance: nothing is overdone, but everything is perfectly considered.

Unlike the flamboyant or mod styles of the ‘60s as seen previously on Bardot and Karina, Romy’s headband feels more grounded, signaling the shift into 1970s more natural and bohemian chic style.

Elizabeth Taylor

In the movie “Suddenly Last Summer” 1959

In Suddenly Last Summer, Elizabeth Taylor turns a simple headband into pure cinematic charm and beauty. The wide, silky white band, draped and flowing, pulls back her voluminous dark hair, framing her facial features and intense glare adding softness to the tension of the scene. The headband subtly falling over her shoulder shows a rare mix of bohemian simplicity and on-screen glamour.

Ursula Andress

In the movie “Fun in Acapulco” 1963

Ursula Andress’ look in Elvis Presley’s musical is radiant and solar with a matching yellow headband and tied up shirt, perfectly embodying the glamorous, bright and playful spirit of 1960s jet-set aesthetics.

Her outfit in this scene is an iconic example of how a headband can be more than just a hair accessory: it becomes a styling anchor that ties the entire look together and instantly elevates beachside fashion.

The headband has a lovely visual focus effect by pulling her hair away from her face, letting her structural lines and sultry gaze take center stage. This allows her facial expressions to be more visible and enhances the romantic tension between the characters.

The “Perfect Headband”

Questionnaire

For my first fashion collection, inspired by those icons, I am creating matching headbands with the tops I have designed. I would like them to be both chic AND comfortable.

Have you ever had your headband slip back, feel too tight / loose, or make your ears stick out in an unflattering way ? I have had those problems too and that’s why I’ve created this short questionnaire :

I’d like to create a headband closest to women’s needs, preferences and desires based on their experience, a headband created by and for YOU. 💋

Your response to this questionnaire will help bring this to life, and I truly appreciate you for doing so !

PS: It’s available both in French and English. 🇫🇷🇬🇧

Feel free to answer this email or contact me on my Instagram if you have any extra questions or feedback.

Have a beautiful week,

Jamila Wilson xx