Expert advice: how to get into red carpet hair styling

Published 30th Jan 2013 by rachael
Expert advice: how to get into red carpet hair styling how-to-be-a-celebrity-hairdresser.jpgWorking with Hollywood stars to create red carpet hair is something many stylists dream of - but just how do you go about getting into this exclusive industry?


Warren Holmes, international creative director at Nicky Clarke salons, is a favourite with countless A-listers - here he shares his secrets for getting into the world of red-carpet hair....


What hairdressing skills are essential for getting into red carpet work?


Versatility and adaptability. Experience is key, you need to be able to envision the whole look and make the hair work, not dominate. 


The dress is very often the most important aspect of the celebrity's look, so take into account the neckline and the jewellery when building the picture of what you are going to suggest. 


In the past I've done nine hair runs on one celebrity before we got it right. It just comes with experience and knowing what works and on who. 


Research and attention to detail is also important. Consider how they wore their hair the last time at this event and always bring something new, never copy.


How do you make the move from working in a salon to working with celebrities?


It was something I've always been around with Nicky so it was a natural transition for me. 
Word of mouth plays a big part.If you do one star and she loves it, she'll then send all of her friends, who then send their friends.


Tim Burton liked the way I did his hair as did his wife Helena Bonham Carter, so again they sent me people for their films. London is like a clique, you get to know people, your face gets recognised. I go out and meet celebs, and get to know them socially - that familiarity works for them. 


What tips do you have for getting your name out there as someone to call on for celebrity work?


You need to be in the key locations - London, New York or LA - because ultimately that is where the celebrities are. You can also get an agent but that's quite difficult now because you have to have a credit list to even get a meeting with a respected one.


Alternatively, there are ways of doing things differently. I was doing Matthew Williamson's hair for a year or so and he really wanted me to style his friend Sienna Miller so I went along and did it. She loved it - but I wasn't content with just stopping there. 


I had loads of ideas for her and I knew they would work so I suggested a meeting. She agreed and I presented a scrapbook of images and references and my notes of how she should have her hair and I planned out her year. It was great and she loved it. She felt comfortable with me and liked that I was pushing the boundaries but still within her style.


Do you suggest signing up with an agency and, if so, how do you go about doing this?


Yes, I do to begin with. They'll get you out there for sure but expect to be doing lots of free or very low paid stuff at the beginning. 


You'll need to build your book, which can be done by testing to support your work. I think it's actually better to go to the PRs of the celebs or movie agencies though and get your foot in the door that way. Build a relationship with one PR and she'll likely send you her whole roster. Do her hair, her family's hair, her friends hair; it really is all about who you know in this game.


How do you juggle salon clients with session work?


Not particularly well right now! When it's fashion week and red carpet season I'm very rarely in the salon, but I try to ensure that I'm in at least every Saturday.


My diary is full now until end of August. Even weekends! My PR and company PA at Nicky Clarke are great for juggling the diary about. My theory is 'If I don't do it, somebody else will' and I don't want that - so I try to do as much as possible.


Which resources do you use to stay inspired about celebrity looks? 


I open my eyes and look about. I can get buzzed up just walking around town, especially Mayfair and Primrose Hill. I like to see things. 


I refer to past generations too, I'm into Brian Jones in a big way at the minute and I was recently inspired by a shot of a girl on his arm as they fell out of a club. Little things like that take my imagination and I transcend that into hair. I get most of my ideas though at night when I'm lying in bed. I've got a book by the side of my bed and I scribble in it when something comes to me.


How closely do you work with the stylist and makeup artist when putting together a total red carpet look?


A lot. It's usually going on at least two weeks in advance if it's a big event. You'll have a couple of meetings and trial runs etc... I always work closely with the clothes stylist. There is a pecking order in this game and they're at the top of it. 


Obviously confidentially is important when you're working with celebrities - how do you take this into consideration when promoting yourself in the salon?


I know the ones I can talk about and I know the ones I can't. At the end of the day I have to build my career and PR-ing myself on the back of doing Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell etc is a good thing for me - so I'll always say I've done their hair and do some quotes but I might not always share the stories!
rachael

rachael

Published 30th Jan 2013

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