Mr Holmes said the draping and placing of the hair that was synonymous with the Regency period was coming back into vogue, proving that there is nothing new in fashion.
"Fashion has all been done before. All we do is to put our love on it," he said.
Restrictions on using hair sprays in the gallery meant he simply researched what was used to fix hair in the Regency period and then applied it to his models yesterday.
Mr Holmes said he had developed a huge interest in the history of hair styling during his 26 years in the industry, and the Regency look was all about women looking quietly demure.
In those days women could never be more powerful than men, so they developed a "need to be looked after" look.
"They were not allowed to own businesses," Mr Holmes said.
He said he had been teaching the draping and placing techniques all summer because of a resurgence of interest in the look.
"More and more women are asking for this style," he said.
Other special events coinciding with A La Mode included Waikato University's convenor of English, Dr Kristine Moffat, putting on an evening of images and readings from the era; and fashion historian Angela Lassig talking about Regency period customs and clothing.
Ms Lassig's address on Saturday was followed by a high tea provided by the Friends of the Gallery in which people were treated to dainty finger foods reminiscent of the Regency period.
