My salon international - patrick cameron

Having traveled to the four corners of the world several times, Patrick is acknowledged by his peers as the long hair expert. Since arriving in the United Kingdom from New Zealand in 1987, Patrick has worked in association with global manufacturer, Wella. Renowned for his skills in dressing long hair, Patrick is also the consummate professional, inspiring hairdressers with his unique blend of education and his fantastic ability to make even the most complex hairstyle look easy.

Like so many working in the hairdressing industry, Salon International one of the most important dates in Patrick's diary. We caught up with him to ask him about his past experiences at Salon and his plans for this year's exhibition.

What's your favorite Salon International memory?

Back in 1989 I started my stage work I remember watching Andrew Collinge doing his show and thinking how talented and amazing he was working in front of all those hairdressers.  Never did I think that I myself one day would be up there on stage having people watching me.

What do you get out of your Salon International visit?

It's a place to catch up with loads of people from around the world and it really is a place of  "who's who" in our industry.

I love the talent on the stages around the exhibition hall.  I think Salon International is really a place for creativity and inspiration and each year it gives me my fix of inspiration for the coming year.

What will you be doing at this year's exhibition?

We will be showing our new collection "Prestige" which is homage to burlesque and the 1940's.  We have many new techniques to share with everyone on how to capture the look; it's going to be loads of fun.

Who and what inspires you most at the exhibition

There are many people I respect in our industry I love to talk to people who, like myself, travel all over the world presenting.  People like Robert Lobetta, Tim Hartley, Beverly C, Darren Ambrose.  I may inspire them and they might inspire me, creativity is so fluid.

What's your top tip for first time visitors?

Book a seat early if you want to see the big names in the Salon Live theatre.  Study the exhibition layout in HJ and plan what you want to see and take your camera, as there are so many things you'll want to remember! - Oh and comfortable shoes are a must.

What's in your Salon International Survival Kit?

Susan Callaghan my business partner is all I need to survive as she helps me navigate my way around the event from stage to stage and press conference to photo shoot.  She pulls me by the hand so I don't miss any events I should be at.  My schedule is very very full on over this time.  I will be doing 3 different shows on 3 different stages in one day and that takes a lot of preparation.  If Sue weren't at my side my brain would go to mush.

What's your Salon International soundtrack? 

Oh I have so many from so many different shows.  Music for me means memories of the great years I've had. 

I used Puccini's "O Mio Bambino Cara" a few years ago when I was presenting my "Opera" collection and my dear friend Erinn sang this piece live on stage and brought the house down.      

Sum up Salon International in three words.

Hectic, exciting, fun.