Bejewelled barnets: Why blinged-out hair clips are the must-have hair accessory this season

They promise to instantly upgrade your locks

The most remarkable example of the trend came from young British designer Ashley Williams (Getty)

If the last time you wore hair accessories it cast a flashback to butterfly clips and scrunchies, then it’s time to rethink how you dress up your tresses.

After years of concealing the tools of the trade in our hair – think shade-matched Kirby grips and the ingenious Invisibobble – Fashion Week’s backstage experts have bought them out into open.

Alas, the humble hair accessory has seen a coming of age.

Bringing locks from basic to bold, jewel encrusted embellishment saw hair dressing stakes raised as designer’s opted to switch out the subtle for the audacious. Enter all manner of glittering jewels, gilded barettes, bedazzled clips and sparkly slides.

At Marchesa, tangled updo’s and natural curls provided the base for a collage of gem-encrusted accessories secured to the side of each model’s head. A look that mirrored the ethereal and feminine feel of the collection, the sparkly slides served to accent the regality of the designer’s girlish pink gowns.

Similarly, jewelled barettes were strategically placed directly behind the ear at Bottega Veneta, acting almost as an extension of the glitzy earrings. Here, a combination of longer clips and small floral designs secured the model’s sleek hair in place while others sported embellished headbands.

But, perhaps the most remarkable example of this trend came from young British designer Ashley Williams – a woman famed for her trademark rhinestone hair accessories.

With a collection inspired by the teenage imagination, Williams sent 80s puffball dresses, dungarees and the most miniature of mini-skirts down a runway assembled from bedroom snippets. A reflection of our younger years, accessories didn’t escape the designer’s attention here as she challenged to stifle our inner magpie.

Alongside dazzling shoe buckles and earrings, Williams proved that diamond’s really are a girl’s best friend with her signature jewelled hair pins wedged into Cyndi Lauper-esque locks that this time read, ‘GIRLS’ and ‘BOYS.’

Jewelled barettes were strategically placed directly behind the ear at Bottega Veneta (AFP/Getty Images)

A runway look you can easily achieve at home, well dressed hair is about to become the cornerstone of every cool girls wardrobe.

And as well as giving hair a glitzy boost, piling on the gems also requires minimal effort. We think these luxe accessories look best when piled onto slightly dishevelled hair. A little bedhead, a little bling.