Enlightenment
FEEL THE GLOW OF WISDOM AS THE GHD DIRECTIVE SHARE THEIR VAST EXPERIENCE.
The experts of the experts, the Directive is ghd's cherry-picked team of creative professionals who are at the top of their game. Developing the latest looks for international fashion weeks, these ghd high stylers work in collaboration with the top photographers, make-up artists and art directors across the globe and are the authority on the current cut and the coolest curl. Get with the ghd Directive and find out what they are up to and how you should be working your hair.
04 MARCH 2009
AN AUDIENCE WITH… PAUL MERRITT
Involved with ghd on professional training and education for hairdressers since Spring 2008, the London-based BLOWW salon owner and TV’s The Salon celebrity stylist, Paul Merritt, is working with ghd on an innovative new training programme for stylists near you. Known for creating super sharp, precision-cut hair using the ghd IV styler before and after cutting, his styling approach is about combining skill with a smart attitude to deliver a haircut the client not only loves but that makes her feel great, too. This is what being radiant is all about. Here, he tells us his definition of radiance and just what it takes to achieve it.
What are you working on?
I'm running the ghd Urban Couture course at the brand new ghd style academy in Leeds and developing ‘An Audience With Paul Merritt’.
What can we expect?
It's about addressing what hairdressing means to me and how I've used it to achieve certain goals, so for stylists, it's about where they can take their career. What's important for me, is not only the technique, but understanding what’s right for the client.
What are the style directions for 2009?
What's interesting is that clients are less afraid about doing their own hair and they are getting better at it too. Rather than specific style trends, people are investing more time and effort into looking glamorous.
What inspires you?
Photographers Tim Bret-Day and Mario Testino, who shoot for magazines such as Vogue. I loved the latest Burberry ad. If you look at the big Bond Street brands, they pick the best photographers and stylists who achieve amazing looks. I also love living in London. It's one of the places that people gravitate to because it's so eclectic. I like being around it.
What qualities do you admire in a woman?
I would say something like style over trend. I prefer a woman who's stylish but not necessarily chasing a trend. She can have a great wardrobe, but puts it together for herself.
How would you define radiance?
Beauty and confidence: it's a combination of the two. It's when not only does a woman look great but she has an air of something else.
Who has that added something?
If you look at someone like Cheryl Cole, she never used to have it, but now she does. For a left field option: Dita von Teese. What she lacks in beauty, she makes up for in confidence, which makes her stunning. My favourite at the moment is Olga Kurylenko… the new Bond girl. Very hot.
How do you achieve radiance?
It's about empowering confidence. The way a hairdresser can do that is to get the right combination of colour, cut and style. You can do someone's hair and if it looks fantastic, they feel six inches taller.
What are the hero products?
The ghd IV salon styler. I think it's one of the best products for creating movement and changing the look of the hair.
Filed under: Fashion on 04 MARCH 2009
08 SEPTEMBER 2008
JAMIE STEVENS SHORTLISTED FOR MEN'S HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Creative Ambassador of the ghd Directive, Jamie Stevens, 27, has been short listed for the Men's Hairdresser of the Year Award in the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards.
One of the hottest young talents in hairdressing, Jamie already has a CV to die for: his own salon at 18; working for Beverly C, Daniel Hersheson and now Errol Douglas; shoots and cuts for the likes of Kylie, Stella McCartney, Elle Macpherson, Christian Slater, and Gok Wan to name but a few; and the coveted position of Creative Ambassador for – well, us.
Says Jamie: “My ambitions are to continue to work with Errol [Douglas], push myself and ghd to the max and hopefully win a few British Hairdressing Awards along the way, so I'm thrilled to be a finalist this year.”
The British Hairdressing Awards take place on Monday November 24 at Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Filed under: Fashion on 08 SEPTEMBER 2008
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