An icon answers: eugene souleiman

Published 09th Jul 2008 by sophieh
An icon answers: eugene souleiman

British Hairdresser of the Year Angelo Seminara asks fellow Trevor Sorbie graduate and industry icon Eugene Souleiman about his career.

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When did you start hairdressing?

I started hairdressing when I was about 22 years old. It wasn't something I wanted to do - I was an art student and in a punk band and spent more time with the band than I did studying and fell behind. A careers officer told me I would make a great hairdresser, so I thought why not? I went to college and was the only guy on the course - I loved it and have never looked back. I got a job working as a hairdresser and a barber in five-star hotels including the Waldorf and the Grosvenor House in London, and the owner said I should go and work for someone like Trevor Sorbie. So I did. I retrained with Trevor and the rest is history.

What did you learn from Trevor?

I learned everything from Trevor. Trevor is a true genius and I can go into any situation as a hairdresser because he trained me so well.

If you weren't a hairdresser what would you be and why?

I would have been an artist. I look at hair as a hairdresser but I also look at hair in an artistic way. I like to make women look beautiful and if I can do that creatively then I am happy.

How has hairdressing changed since you started?

Hairdressing used to be more free spirited; people did what they wanted to do. I remember picking up hair magazines and looking at work by Irvine Rusk, Vidal Sassoon, Sanrizz and Trevor Sorbie, and being blown away. I don't get that feeling as much now. Young hairdressers today don't have that, as the culture is instant and fast-moving. A lot of people aren't prepared to put the work in, they are more interested in being famous. Everything is about celebrity, but often people aren't famous because they are good at something. However, there is a backlash against this and people are looking at ways to be creative. There is a lot of creativity happening underground, which is incredible.

What made you become a session stylist?

I worked with Trevor on numerous shoots and was meeting a lot of people. It wasn't a conscious decision, it was a natural progression. I had got to the top with Trevor so this was the next natural step. I could have opened my own salon but I didn't want that kind of responsibility.

What do you consider when doing a photo shoot?

When I go into a shoot I go in with a blank mind unless I have been given a specific brief. The photographer and stylist are the ones that direct the shoot, I go in there and give them options. You regularly work with the same teams, so you are all in tune with each other's ideas, and it works.

How important is your team?

Having a good team is the most important thing as without true collaboration you can't do anything. No one is an island - you need people around you all the time. I work with some great people, and on great magazines, both high-end fashion magazines and youth-based, creative magazines. I like to balance between the two worlds as one feeds the other.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Be a sponge, do as much as you can do, work as hard as you can, soak everything up and practice, practice, practice. You can't be successful if you don't love it; you have to love your work and it has to be a passion.

sophieh

sophieh

Published 09th Jul 2008

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