“Who or what were the key teachers or turning points along your journey? Were there mentors, courses, or even failures that made you rethink your approach?”
Looking back at my early days, there were quite a few mentors that played a huge role in shaping the hairstylist I became.
When I was a teenager, I was greatly influenced by British music, fashion, and mod culture. I paid a close attention how British singers were dressed and what kind of hair styles they wore.
Shortly after I started a Cosmetology school, I discovered a book written by Vidal Sasson, called “Sorry I kept you waiting, madam”.
You can find this book on Amazon or Google Books. Vidal Sasson wrote it as a memoir. it is funny, easy to read story about the internationally famous hairdresser. In it, he is delightfully chronicling his rise to the top of the hairstyling world.
After reading it, I was mesmerized. Eventually, I started looking for more information about him, his work and his style. He definitely was my mentor number one.
Quickly I realized how hard he worked revolutionizing the whole salon business along the way.
Back then, I had seen his hair cuts in magazines, videos-literally everywhere. Women in England and America were wearing them.
The bob hairstyle was his Signature cut. It was Vidal Sassoon who transformed the classic bob into a modern makeover in 1965. He was the first to implement a more angular version known as the “five-point cut.”
The idea came to him from the Egyptian hieroglyphics. They were emulating the times of the 50s and 60s, the time of the heyday, when women started cutting their hair.
Honestly, I was always gravitating towards women’s hair. I preferred working on women rather than being a barber and work on men. I knew that early on when I was already 14. Working on women’s hair seemed more exciting and creative doing bold artsy cuts and color.
Now, I would like to mention one more brand that has educated hairstylists and developed different hair products. This is Toni & Guy . Two brother s from Italy founded this brand . Later, it became an international chain of hair salons.
I have always enjoyed learning about them through shows and books, magazines and videos.
I was lucky enough to once work with the brothers. While I was studying in cosmetology school, they came to the school and set up a show, in which I participated. I worked on the models, prepping their hair for the show.
At the end, Toni and Guy came backstage and thanked everybody for a successful show.
This experience inspired and greatly influenced me regarding where I wanted to receive an advanced training.
A few years later, I traveled to England and mastered my skills at Vidal Sassoon School in London.
Another mentor, Trevor Sorbie, who was a Scottish celebrity hairdresser, had inspired me in many ways.
He was known for the creation of a haircut called “the Wedge”. An Olympic ice skater Dorothy H. wore such a haircut. He also did “the scrunch” technique, which I learned and implemented in my work.
I admired Trevor Sorbie because of his edgy, wild hairdressing. I attended his shows as well.
Later in life, when my hair started thinning, and eventually I started shaving my head, I felt judged by some people because of my look.
Some clients did not trust me to do their hair because I was a bold hairdresser. But I remembered Trevor Sorbie, who was bold as well, but despite of it, he focused on the merit of the work itself.
Another place that played an enormous role in my career was a hair salon/spa in La Mesa, California.. There, I worked as an assistant in my late teens-early twenties.
For quite some time, I worked for the two top stylists. They were my favorite mentors. They taught me timing and color. During those years, I learned an unusual and interesting technique using saran wrap for the weaves instead of the foil.
I have always liked new ideas and am not afraid to try something unconventional.
There has been a lot of trial and error, which helps me grow in my profession. For what it’s worth, it is not a job, it’s an art. I put my heart and soul into every piece I create.