IN THE KNOW

Central Saint Martins BA show

Images courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel Paris

Graduate Fashion Week

Graduate Fashion Week

Central Saint Martins BA show

Mark Woolley, Claire Mariscal and team

Darren Ambrose

FASHION ON MENU FOR L’ORÉAL ARTISTS

Darren Ambrose, Electric Hair’s Mark Woolley and Claire Mariscal from Johnson Blythe delivered a plethora of fashion forward finishes as L’Oréal Professionnel Paris supported the Central Saint Martins BA Fashion show and Graduate Fashion Week. At Central Saint Martins, Darren Ambrose from D&J Ambrose was supported by a L’Oréal Professionnel Paris hair team. On the night, the CSM L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Talent prize was won by Patrick Garvey (BA Fashion). Previous winners have included Richard Quinn, Mary Katrantzou and Grace Wales-Bonner.

At Graduate Fashion Week, a showcase of the Best of Graduate Talent 2024 saw Mark Woolley and Claire Mariscal lead a team of 19 L’Oréal Professionnel Paris stylists. Here a dual texture – sleek on top with natural texture below – was created on to 25 models to deliver uniform tone to proceedings.

SIMPLY THE BEST

Patrick Gildea Hairdressing has been awarded Best Customer Experience prize in Ireland and Best Hair Salon in Ulster by RSVP magazine. The judges citied its luxurious five-star experience, and Patrick’s vision of creativity and excellence, as reasons for its victory. Its home to eight Wella Professionals Master Colour Experts.

SILENT SERVICES = MORE REVENUE?

More than half of stylists and clients favour of silent services – and they could earn you more money. That’s the finding of research from Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance, which surveyed 2,000 consumers and 100 freelance and salon hair stylists across the UK.

More than half (56 per cent) of hair stylists – and 53 per cent of clients – said they would prefer ‘silent’ services, with clients saying they would book more return visits if a quiet appointment could be guaranteed. Ripe estimated that would bring an uplift of 25 per cent to revenue.

New chat helps salon work/life balance

Vagaro is launching a two-way chat system to help improve salon owners’ work/life balance. Connect by Vagaro has been unveiled to help stem the tide of business messages being received 24/7 on personal phone numbers. The system, for both clients and team members, can be used through Vagaro Pro on desktop and the Connect app on mobile. It allows keeps client communications organised on a dedicated business line, and helps turn conversations into conversions by texting an appointment link that goes directly into a service provider’s calendar. It can also be used to collaborate internally with your own team.

Gaga’s stylist in new Sebastian role

Lady Gaga’s stylist, Frederic Aspiras (pictured, above), is looking to “foster an inclusive space that celebrates individuality and creativity” in a global role with iconic hair brand Sebastian Professional. As the new global creative & culture director, he will have an eye on emerging talent and “sparking a global movement of self-expression” through hair and culture.

Since 2009, he’s formed part of her Haus of Gaga styling collective, working on red carpet styles, stage looks and even film work as she broadens her career in movies. In 2022 he was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Make-up and Hairstyling for the film House of Gucci.