Expert advice for taking your career international
Published
11th Mar 2013
by rachael
Working for an international brand is one way to see your career go global, reducing some of the difficulty of securing a visa and proving yourself in an unknown market.Moving between salons or offices is generally easier when you remain with a brand where you've already made a name for yourself and have backing and support.
Richard Mannah, international artistic director of TONI&GUY, recently relocated from London to New York - still working with the brand, he now represents them throughout the US.
A former winner of HJ's London Hairdresser of the Year, Richard is originally from Australia and is a popular face backstage at fashion week as well as at TONI&GUY's many events, education seminars and shoots.
We spoke to him to find out more about his transition from England to the Big Apple.
What does your new role involve?
My role involves travelling around America every week doing shows and seminars educating hairdressers on all levels with our annual creative collections.
I am also still a member of the TONI&GUY International Artistic Team so I travel around the world representing the brand at shows and seminars. I also travel numerous times a year to head up shows at London Fashion Week, work on all our major campaigns and step-by-step DVDs and to launch our annual collections, both at Mainstage and Salon International.
How did you get the job?
Through my existing work at TONI&GUY. The opportunity arose when the role became available and, after speaking with Toni and Sacha, we all thought it was the right move for both myself and the company.
How different is day-to-day life in New York than life in London?
New York is another big city with a lot of energy. I think because it's a small island containing a lot of tall amazing buildings and a lot of people, the energy is much more concentrated in one area - I love it.
How different are salons in New York in terms of skills and most popular services?
I believe the hairdressing industry is much stronger in the UK from a day-to-day salon point of view because the training is much more disciplined in the UK than it is here in the US. You can become a fully qualified hairdresser in just one year here in America. Also the rebellious, street- fashion culture in London is much more evident than it is here in the US.
How do you think working internationally has helped your career?
I've travelled the globe for many years and it has allowed me to be exposed to all different cultures, people, foods and places - all of which has opened my mind and allows me to understand different cultures and ways of life!! It's made me more understanding and tolerant. It's a school of its own and I recommend everyone to travel as much as possible as its inspired me in more ways then one.
Do you plan to stay in New York for good or is there somewhere else in the globe that you would like to work?
I plan on staying here for a long time! I love it out here and because I'm travelling around the country every week and still work globally a lot, it keeps it fresh.
What have you learnt from your experiences abroad that you will bring back?
I think it's the overall experience that I learn from all my travels rather then just one or two things. Experience can't be bought, but only lived! This experience becomes part of me and helps shape who I am. That's what I guess I bring with me where ever I go.