Over the last couple of months, I’ve taken advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to study hair cutting and coloring with some of the worlds most inspirational and creative hairdressers including The International Creative Team at Vidal Sassoon. The Sassoon leadership team stepped up during the Covid19 pandemic to offer high quality, live education to a global audience. It was a complete joy to be with my creative cohort and feel a sense of connection each morning as I tuned with my tribe of like-minded hairdressers across the globe.
A special thank you to Mark Hayes, Sassoon International Creative Director, for guiding us through the history of Sassoon, describing how many of the classic shapes came to be, sharing with us his portfolio of work, and demonstrating step-by-step how to achieve both classic and modern looks through a disciplined approach to hair cutting. Thank you for believing in the mission of Vidal Sassoon and authentically executing his vision with your global team. Thank you for demonstrating how classic looks, customized to a client’s bone structure, can have a fresh and modern feel when they are crafted using the principals of good design as codified by Dieter Rams.
A warm thank you to Tracy Sakosits, North American Creative director, for walking us through her approach to creating a signature look with classic hair cutting techniques and careful attention to detail. Traci’s ability to take a magazine image, deconstruct it, and then recreate it on a blank canvas was a complete joy to witness. Traci also demonstrated how cutting with tension on textured hair resulted in strong geometry and a beautifully balanced shape. Her disciplined approach to hair cutting, combined with the narration of her thought process, made for many memorable moments together.
A respectful thank you to Richie Rivera, North American Color Director, for walking us through a variety of creative approaches to hair color over the last two months. One color technique that I’m excited to bring back to the salon with me is the two tone color and color blocking techniques - an approach to hair color that takes it’s inspiration from Piet Mondrian and uses color theory combined with geometry to create intriguing multi-dimensional hair color that strengthens the shape of a cut and enhances the overall style.
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I also want to thank Sam Villa and Tippi Shorter for hosting Fabric of Change on June 28th - and unforgettable day of inspiration and education with my Black Hairdresser Community putting themselves out there to fundraise for the National Black Justice Coalition - a civil rights organization focused on empowering Black LGBTQ youth. The day was packed with inspirational moments as Black hairdressers shared their views on some of the changes they’d like to see across the industry.
Being home for over 3 months now to protect public health has certainly had its ups and downs. But I’m forever grateful to have been part of the solution, and to have found my tribe of hairdressers who are working on making the world a better place. I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned, and many beautiful people I’ve met along the way.
One of the reasons I became a hairdresser was because I like to stay behind the scenes and shine the light on those around me. Each one of my clients is a shining star in my life, and has a special place in my heart. To each of them, I’m committed to keeping an open mind, always doing my best, learning, and acting with loving kindness.