How did you get into hair?

I used to work with a photographer who used to be a hairdresser. It was interesting to see a new form of creativity. I turned to hairdressing originally just to fund the photography, but as I continued in the industry it has become a real passion.

What do you love about your job?

The duality of creativity and energy through my fashion work; the wholesome and poignant side of working with people in the salon and transforming their confidence through hair. I love the transformation it can make on a person or a model and how you can change the atmosphere and perception of a person completely with a different style.

Any gripes?

The majority of jobs and agencies pay after 90 days. Invoices often lapse into six months-plus (I currently have three which are over a year). It’s unacceptable and creates issues of only the rich and privileged being able to work in our industry. We must start pushing for it to be the norm to be paid within 60 days of invoicing.

What have you been up to this year so far?

I’ve been first assisting Adam Garland’s shows in London, the highlight being Erdem A/W24 – beautiful hair in the British Museum. I joined Gary Gill’s team for the first time this season, which has been a great experience, and I’ve also been assisting the amazing Syd Hayes – we recently had a shoot with Kate Moss, which was definitely a bucket list moment.

Who in your generation do you look up to, and why?

The Hair Bros for their blending of business and creativity – their style is unique and they have a great way of presenting how they do hair. Lucy Muyanga (@thehair.co) is a peer, amazing hairstylist and friend. She’s killing it and I’m really excited to see where she goes. Finally, Emma Sommers in my salon, who balances three kids with a busy column and does it all off her own back and graft.

What makes you proud about your generation of hairdressers?

Curls and coils are becoming much more accepted, educated on and celebrated. We’re going away from the need for a “specialist” for Type 3 and 4 hair and we’re educating ourselves to deal with all types of hair. Progress in the right direction!

How does it feel to be part of the cohort that’s rewriting the rules of hairdressing now?

The rules of hairdressing don’t need to be rewritten. I feel it’s important to respect the history of hair and the key people who’ve developed our craft. It’s important to evolve the industry from the foundations that we have, to keep pushing boundaries and focusing more on the equality of hair and hairstylists.

Any advice for someone just starting out in hair?

Throw yourself into as many experiences as you can, make sure you have your fundamental foundations of hairdressing locked in and learnt, don’t forget manners and kindness go a long way with hairdressers and clients alike!

What made you enter the It List?

My boss, Louise Howard-Long, insisted I should go for it. I normally shy away from awards but with the age limit coming up and 2023 having been a great year for my career, I felt it was important to go for it!

Any advice for the 2024 entrants?

Choose imagery carefully, write with eloquence and make it more than just hairdressing. Add more to your application and career and look at the bigger picture!

What attracted you into hairdressing in the first place?

Since childhood I’ve had a deep fascination for hair and been drawn to the touch of it. That led me to cut and style everyone’s hair who would allow me to do it, and naturally my path as a hairdresser manifested.

What do you love about working in hair?

I see creating a haircut like gifting someone. This can be a gift of transformation, an interaction of energy or a feeling of peace or confidence.

Describe your hairdressing style.

Authentic in expression, simplistic in execution and natural in beauty.

Who in your generation do you look up to, and why?

@mustafayanaz, who stuns me constantly with his beautiful creations. I have followed him since I was an apprentice in Germany and he was winning hairdressing awards. Since then,he has been constantly evolving and always manages to create something unusual or provocative.

How does it feel to be part of the cohort that is rewriting the rules of hairdressing now?

It’s so beautiful to be part of something that is ever-evolving and never stays the same. We are part of constant change.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

It would be to normalise charging the same prices for men and women.

What made you enter the It List in 2023?

I was so proud of the projects I had created that it felt natural and right to share them. The It List was the perfect platform for that.

Any advice for someone thinking about entering the It List 2024?

Don’t look too much at what other people are doing. Channel your own authentic self.

Describe your hairdressing style.

My passion is with transformation specialist colour work – matching the inside to the outside is my ultimate goal. Oh, and it’s gotta be high-polish, high-shine and expertly finished.

What kind of work are you doing this year?

Colour blocking is IN for 2024 – lots of my clients are experimenting with this trend, especially with black panelling! As always, my clients live for colour they cannot recreate by themselves. 

Who do you look up to, and why?

Lesley Jennison and Sophia Hilton are POWERHOUSES in the industry for balancing global education with their salon work. They make it look easy and have been paving the way for younger stylists like me for a long time. 

What do you love about hairdressing right now?

So many hair artists are offering education and it is so inspiring to see them sharing their skills and smashing sold-out classes! 

How do you feel about helping to rewrite the rules?

The industry is so much more sharing and kinder than it was when I started 10 years ago. Mental health is talked about more than ever before. It feels so good to be a part of that change moving forward.

What would you say to a young person considering a career in hair?

Wear gloves while washing hair! Contact dermatitis is real and can affect your career… And you’ve really got to love it and WANT to do hair. Or it’s not worth it. 

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Higher hairdressing apprenticeship wages! So much hard work goes into training and it needs to be rewarded to encourage more younger people to join this amazing industry.

What ambitions do you have for 2024?

I want to keep my education classes elevating! I’ve got 10 classes scheduled in the UK and US and I can’t wait to meet the hair artists who want to level up their skills. I also want to keep my regular clients happy, spoiling them and keeping up to date with their latest news. I love a good old catch up with my regulars! 

What made you enter the It List in 2023?

It wasn’t the first time that I entered and I never EVER expected to win. But I loved the idea of putting myself out there and getting my name known in the industry. 

Any advice for potential entrants for the It List 2024?

Create an entry that you are proud of and make it authentically you. You have got NOTHING to lose. 

What made you become a hairdresser in the first place? 

Originally, I wanted to be a rock star, but I have zero musical talent. I remembered that the girl who cut my hair as a kid looked like a rockstar and drove a sports car. I’d also read an article that hairdressers were the happiest employees, and that had me sold.

What do you love about working in hair? 

The creativity, people and variety. You can make art with hair. It’s been a gateway for me to meet and collaborate with amazing people. No two working days are the same. 

Describe your hairdressing style.

Feminine, bold, and evolving. 

Describe the work you’ve been doing this year so far.

My New Year’s resolution was to take my career to the next level. So far that has meant assisting and test-shooting more to evolve my skills and update my book. I’m writing this on a flight home from Paris after a hectic fashion season.  

What would you say to a young person considering a career in hair?

You’re about to have so much fun! It’s hard graft mixed with lots of laughter – there’s no other profession like it.

Who in your generation do you look up to, and why?

My fashion friends inspire me a lot. We’ll only see each other at fashion week but recognise what each other has achieved since last season. If one of us gets a job/show that we can’t make we pass it on to our friends. We’ll skill swap. We’ll talk passionately about new techniques we’ve learnt at a show. (To name a few… Kenneth McLeod, Lee Devlin, Leanne Millar, Rosie Grace, Ellie Bond, Stefanie Mellin, Gordon Chapples, Laurie Deraps, ArpatAbdimajit, Poppy Leigh).

What excites you about what your generation is achieving in the hairdressing industry right now? 

Social media has given my generation the opportunity to get clients and work without relying on a boss or shop front to do it for us. We are the freelance generation, the ones who decided to be more independent and pave our own way. Gone are the day of hairdressers tearing each other down, we are a community supporting one another. 

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? 

Pay transparency. I don’t know why we find talking about money taboo. The secrecy surrounding staff pay/commission is very toxic.