She booked one show in Paris, assisting Sam McKnight’s hair team at Chanel. She left having also assisted Guido’s team at Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen. This week, two of those houses made headlines, and a hairstylist who worked backstage on their runways is telling New York’s newcomers to put their phones away.
The hairstylist behind the hairstylists
Michiko Boorberg is a New York hairstylist, makeup artist and groomer represented by Bryan Bantry Agency. Her agency book lists work for NARS, Stila, Garnier, Clairol, Jane Iredale, Tula and Dr. Jart, and editorials for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, Vogue Arabia, Esquire Singapore and V Magazine. Her red-carpet credits on that page include Thandie Newton, Eva Longoria, Olivia Palermo and Romee Strijd.
She didn’t start with hair. “I started first as a Makeup Artist,” she told Nightlife Report. She trained at Makeup Designory in Los Angeles, then worked for MAC Cosmetics in Toronto. “I am a big city girl, so I really want to live in NYC.” She moved, studied hair at the Aveda Institute in New York and got her cosmetology license.
Most graduates go to work in a salon. She didn’t. “My focus was to work on set.”
One booking in Paris
“It was my first season in Paris and I only had one booking confirmed for the Chanel show, assisting with Sam McKnight’s hair team.” She extended her ticket and got booked for more shows, assisting Guido’s hair team at Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen. She went on to work seasons in New York, London, Milan and Paris, and she still works shows in New York.
The timing matters. On November 1, Louis Vuitton’s new chief brand creative officer, Hector Muelas, started a role created to put every campaign under one creative lead (Marketing-Interactive, Milano Fashion World). Meanwhile, Kering has said Seán McGirr is leaving McQueen and the brand plans to close more than half its stores (BurgasMedia). Creative directors come and go and the storefronts change, but the teams backstage are still the ones who make the looks happen.
RelatedYour Outfit Isn’t the Problem. Your Last Ten Seconds Are: A New York Stylist on Owning the Room
Necker Island and a bucket list
Her favorite shoot was with photographer Russell James on Richard Branson’s Necker Island: “The island itself is such a dream and it was probably the most fun weekend I’ve had for work. It was like checking a tick off a bucket list.”
Her rule: the client has to feel like herself
“Just because I think something looks great, it may not be comfortable for them.” Her method: “listen to my clients, offer ideas, and work together.” The goal: “My number one goal is for my client to feel amazing, beautiful and confident with their final look.”
What she’s seeing for fall 2026
Her trend list: “clean, satin like skin texture, brushed up, natural polished eyebrows, boy blush/cherub cheeks.” For hair: “natural, air dried, textured hair with its natural flyaways,” plus “shorter bob with waves.”
The kit
For hair she uses a Dyson blow dryer, L’Oréal Paris Elnett hairspray, Living Proof, Bumble and bumble, Oribe and Eco Style gel, which she calls “a budget gel but it’s mighty and powerful!” For makeup she relies on Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Armani Luminous Silk, Make Up For Ever liners and NARS Kalahari. “I’m also a mascara queen,” she said, naming L’Oréal Panorama.
The advice New York needs to hear
“Assist as many people as you possibly can, watch and learn and ask questions. It is paid continuing education for you!” Then: “When you assist, leave the ego and drama at the door. Come on time ready to work, stay off your phone at work…and know how to read the room.”
Her last word: “Be grateful for every opportunity and stay humble.”
Photos coming soon, with credits.
Back the independent desk: patreon.com/aperlas · Join the newsroom: discord.gg/P3bECmuYwA
Anthony Perlas · nightlifereport.app
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