I started here about 4 years ago, doesn't seem like that long ago, time flies too fast sometimes. When I started here, I really didn't know the paths and roads that hair can really take me. I just figure hair is hair and it's done behind the chair. One of my co-workers asked me if I do any Editorial work, I kinda looked at her perplexed like "what the hell is Editorial work?" So I just inquired more about what all this Editorial talk is all about. After a couple minutes, she explained to me what I had been missing in my career for the last, at that time, 10 years. I was so in "aaaahhh" because I didn't realize that my skill and art can really go above and beyond. That point is where my mind started spinin' and the journey began…
I then inquired with another co-worker that's basically known for doing stuff like this, he's done Donna Karen's hair, he's been featured in numerous magazines, so I figure, who's brain better to pick then his? So I let a diarrhea load of questions pour outta my mouth trying to find my way as he did. He took me under his wing and I assisted my first fashion show with him, it wasn't anything big, just a local fashion show - but it was big to me. The feeling of adrenaline, creative and anxiety took over and I kinda liked it. The rush that people talk about when they're nervous to go onstage and perform, that's what it feels like. Anyway, it was a blast and from there I wanted more. So for a work project, we Hairstylist had to make a vision board for the New Year, what ever that meant to you. Mine was FASHION WEEK and EDITORIAL work. I put New York, London, Paris and Milan Fashion Week and some tear sheets from magazines, implying that I'd like to see Editorial work in my future, I'm still working on that, but as far as NYFW...
As time went by, I had done some fashion shows here and there, test shoots as well. I then realized how difficult it is to do this in Seattle. The industry is definitely a lot smaller here, less projects and people are very tight-nit on who they trust to work with, which is completely understandable, just challenging for people like myself to break in the scene here. I had assisted a stylist on an Amazon photo shoot and of course I went with the verbal diarrhea of questions and she told me that if I wanted to seriously start doing editorial work in Seattle, I'd have to start doing make up too. Wtf? For real? You know how much time and most of all cha'ching $$$$ goes into building a make up kit? So I had to take this into serious consideration as to how much time, $$$$ and efforts this would take to get to where I want to go. Thought about it for a second, then realized there really isn't anything to think about if I really want this… So I said, what the hell - let's do this.
After doing TFP shoots, test shoots, etc. I started talking to our ORIBE rep at the salon about getting more involved in the company, doing editorial work and how can I get to NEW YORK FASHION WEEK. That was my creme de la creme, my golden egg and goal - for at that time - my career. I won a retail contest at work, I originally came in 2nd place but my co-worker that got 1st place had relocated to another salon, so I was runner up. The 1st place prize was a trip to New York and a class with Oribe himself. I was so super excited because that meant I GET TO GO TO NEW YORK CITY!!! I had been wanting to go to NY since Home Alone 2 came out, also when that Coca-Cola Christmas commercial with the grandpa and grandson at Rockefeller Center planting a pine cone and it turns into the big Christmas tree… That was my moment, I knew, I knew I was destined some how and some way to find my way to NY. This class can take me there. After some time went by and Oribe trying to work out his crazy schedule to do this class with me and a handful of other lucky stylist who won this contest. About 6 months later they told me the class was moved to Miami at his salon, so it wasn't NY but hey, I won this awesome opportunity so might as well make the best of it. So I did. I stayed at The Raleigh Hotel, which is AMAZEBALLS! by the way.
It was a long way to get there, for such a short, amazing, life changing, grateful experience. I was literally there for a day. The class was held at Oribe's Salon in South Beach Miami, talk about sex baby, that city smells of sexy. You just need and want to be sexy when you go to Miami, I loved it.
The class was truly amazing, there wasn't a ton of us so it felt a little more intimate. Oribe's team provided the models, who were super gorgeous, sexy and exotic. We were able to talk with people from Oribe's company, so as our rep told me, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So I went squeakin' away, askin' who's who and who do I need to talk to about this and how can I get there and what do I needs to be doin'? They told me I need to take the Runway Workshop Class from Ramona Eschbach. Done.
This class was my foot in the door. I learned a lot from Oribe, he really is so talented. He's some one that I would say inspires me. For sure. I look forward to hopefully working with him some day Backstage or on set, I'd even go for both!
Next step, gotta take Ramona Eschbach's Runway Workshop Class. Oribe was coming to Seattle to basically teach the class that he taught us in Miami, but with more people and not as intimate, so I kinda scored taking the class in Miami. Anyway, they needed someone to do the make up for his hair models, our Oribe rep asked me if I would do it. Uh "YES!". After that, they gave me the dates for Ramona's class and I jumped on it. New York?! HERE I COME!
I was super snap happy with my camera, what can I say, it was my first time! And I'm mixed with Chinese - Anyway, of course I had a BLAST! I went everywhere and ate everything. The class was great, I felt like I rocked it a little bit. While I was there I was able to assist Adam Livermore on a Judith Leiber photo shoot. Oribe's team was so kind to put me in touch with Adam, knowing my pursuits and goals, he gave me some great advice. The photo shoot was amazing, I think 50 Cent was doing a video shoot next door. I was in the Meat Packing District and the whole experience of that day just blew my mind. I got to assist on an awesome photo shoot and take notes and tips from expert Hairstylist Adam Livermore and Make Up Artist Edward Cruz.
Coming back from my NY high, I had to adjust to the more casual, kick back pace of Seattle again. The class was fantastic and I was able to share my moments and experiences with my co-workers. The class took place in September, I wasn't sure what to expect after that. Some time went by and I got an email for Oribe's peeps wondering if I could go to Paris to assist Ramona at a couple of Men's shows, WTF??? For real? I was super bummed I couldn't go because it's not like I got $ layin' around just in case Paris calls, who knew? So I was making a mental note that January is Paris shows. Then a couple weeks go by and Oribe's peeps email me again for NYFW, in February? I thought NYFW was just in September, but obviously I was wrong, so February and September? Ok, mental note saved. Again, super bummed because I had no idea of the events at hand. June comes around and I get another email about a couple shows the end of June and the beginning of July, family conflicts tho, super suck. I thought for sure I wasn't going to hear from Oribe's team after that cause I started thinking they were getting sick of my "Sorry, can't make it." replies. I knew NYFW was in September so I was making sure I was $ and mentally prepared for this. I got the email, from there it's been every September and February for the last 2 years, I haven't made it to Paris yet, but I will.
CALLA
SKAIST TAYLOR
RAD HOURANI
JEREMY LAING
PERRY ELLIS
Those were a couple shows I've done. I love being Backstage, it's such a rush. Depending on the stylist and intensity of the hair, sometime's it can be a little chill too.
After doing Backstage through Oribe's team, I thought it might be wise to not have tunnel vision and be narrow minded through this whole process and adventure, start looking to other networking opportunities and being more open minded. I want to do more shows and more hair. I started researching into other companies that I could assist Backstage. Bumble and Bumble has been around a long time, that's our second line we carry at the salon, so I figure might as well give that a shot. I can't be picky, I needs to take whatever I can get. More exposure, network, experience, knowledge, education I have in all of this, the better.
I signed up for Bumble and Bumble's Styling 1 class, it's the 1st of 2 that you take before you can test out to be on their Backstage Team. I got a spot in the class, finally. These classes go very quickly so your usually added on to a wait list, I was wait listed at first. Took the class about a week before this past Thanksgiving. I have never been to Bumble and Bumble University, I have to say I was super impressed, they have anything and everything. It was weird to NOT have to pack up all my crap, usually going out there for NYFW I have a whole suitcase just filled with hair crap, this was nice to pack a lot lighter. I didn't have to bring a single thing to class, they provide everything you need.
We had to do a Flat Brush Blowout and a Round Brush Set. I forgot to take pic's of my Round Brush Set model but here's a couple snap shots of my first 2 hair models.
Again, great education. After seeing a pic on the wall of Ramona Eschbach and Coby Alcantar at the University, it suddenly hit me, that maybe this is where I'm suppose to be. I look at the career's of the Hair Stylist that I look up to and most of them started here… so it made me think…. hmmmm… You can never stop learning.
I'm looking forward to what this New Year will bring, the pursuit and determination to get where I want to be is still in effect. I've made my goal to NYFW, now the goal to be apart of Creative Backstage Teams that do hair for designers like Gucci, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, etc. is on my list of "To-Do's" along with doing hair for Victoria's Secret, Backstage and Catalog, then, seeing my work on the cover of a major fashion magazine. That would be my Willy Wonka of Golden Eggs. Everything happens for a reason, I believe in that to the fullest. Too much stuff has happened in my life for me not to believe I'm where I'm suppose to be. I've made more than 1 vision into a reality, let's see how many more I can do.
My ultimate goal is to get a big enough name for myself to travel back and forth from Seattle to wherever doing shows, shoots and other projects, still maintaining enough $ to live and see my clientele. I love my clients, some of them are my biggest fans, cheerleaders and supporters. Clients love when you as their stylists, are inspired. When you're inspired, they're inspired. They keep me grounded and balance the pace, from crazy to calm. If I could work a couple days at the salon, then the rest of the week is open to Editorial work and travel, that would be my bliss. So we'll see...
Next up? I got a local photo shoot here in January, then off to NY again in February for NYFW.
HERE WE GO! STAY TUNED!
TO BE CONTINUED…
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
XOXO
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.