As a regular patron of Portfolio Hair Studio salon, I’m always astounded by their annual hair collection, raring to push the boundaries of haircuts, colours, and styling options in Malaysia. This year, they are debuting the Hybrid collection, which borrows from the worlds of art, architecture, and fashion to create cuts that feel like you—artsy, yet wearable.
The collection’s central idea is simple: your haircut should have structure without feeling stiff, and personality without sacrificing polish. Think of it as the sartorial equivalent of a blazer you can throw on with jeans—effortlessly put-together but not overdone.
Portfolio drew from three pretty unexpected places for a hair collection, making Hybrid feel fresh.
Art: Pablo Picasso
Drawing inspiration from the works of Pablo Picasso, particularly his depiction of Cubism, Hybrid reinterprets traditional silhouettes through layered shapes, intersecting lines, and controlled asymmetry. The result is hair that is structured, yet expressive.
Architecture: Steven Holl
Every good architectural piece has a solid foundation. Inspired by Steven Holl’s design philosophy, Portfolio begins each cut with a defined silhouette before layering it internally to introduce movement and softness. Proportion, balance, and thoughtful construction allow the hair to remain dynamic without losing its underlying form, just like a well-designed space.
Fashion: Saint Laurent
Sharp tailoring, strong silhouettes, and refined proportions. Inspired by Saint Laurent, this aspect of Hybrid designs haircuts to complement the individual, modernising classic forms through proportion and texture.
Colour: Keep it Real
The colour story is guided by a philosophy called “Keep It Real”. Rather than chasing a trendy shade, colours are chosen to work with your skin tone, lifestyle, and personality. The palette spans luminous brunettes, dimensional blondes, and reflective blacks, all finished with a high-shine result that still looks healthy.
The bigger picture
What’s most exciting about the Hybrid collection isn’t a particular look, but instead, the idea behind all of them. Portfolio Hair Studio salon is making the case that a good haircut is a creative act, something that deserves the same intention you’d bring to getting dressed or redecorating your living room. It’s a refreshing take in a world of quick fixes and viral trends.
William Wong and Junn Ng worked hand in hand to bring the Hybrid collection to life on my hair. “The haircut concept is inspired by the clean minimalism and structural simplicity of Steven Holl’s architecture,” Wong expounded on my layered haircut. To counteract the severity of the clean haircut, Ng artfully placed royal indigo dye shades flowing from the temples to the nape on the opposing side, inspired by Picasso’s cubist artworks.
The entire direction comes to life through our new Hybrid Collection. Where architecture, art, and contemporary hair design merge into one expression.
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