How do you ‘unblock’ yourself?
I have to do something that really makes me happy! Spend time with my family, go see some art, get inspired. Or maybe just take a break from everything. In 2022, I was creatively blocked for six months, it was painful and weird, I wasn’t feeling inspired. I booked a trip to Puerto Rico by myself. I came back a completely different person after two weeks – it was just me, the beach, water, drinking cocktails, not thinking about anything. I didn’t care about any jobs… but then I got such an exciting job! I didn’t know how to take a break. I think that I’m a machine, and I need to realise I need breaks. I was never working on my social life, I was just working! I started to go dancing again with my friends. It’s a really good way to relax. I studied dance when I was little – hip hop, ballet, flamenco, belly dancing too.
You’ve worked with titles such as Dazed, and also with brands including Nike and Adidas. Do you have a preference over the kind of projects you take on?
I feel blessed that I work in an industry where I can experiment so much. I created some hair pieces for Adidas and they gave me so much freedom. I think commercials for me are the easiest to build, because a good editorial takes so much time. I don’t think people appreciate how much time it takes, especially when it comes to research. Researching the clothes, the accessories, it all takes so much time. But when I get a commercial, you know what the client wants.
For editorials I have to be well fed and well rested, because I’m probably not going to eat during the day, I want to be able to avoid going over time because overtime money is gonnabe an issue. So, you work differently.
Skepta, Rita Ora, Digga D, Pink Pantheress – you’ve worked with some exciting artists. When you’re working with ‘talent’, is there a different mindset you need to tap into?
I always remember it’s not about me. Whatever the client feels or needs, we will make sure that they have it. It’s a whole process of getting them ready, yes, but also creating a safe space for them.
I’ve had assistants that get over-excited and I always tell them that stars are just people. Maybe they’re having a bad day, and they just want to be with people they like and know. It’s not about us talking and taking over the space. I like to talk a lot, but I also have to respect the clients. I know how much pressure they go through because sometimes, I feel it myself as a creative. It works best to respect their boundaries.
I now have relationships that have been developed over three or four years. After a while you become friends. It’s a relationship you build and it’s very normal because you spend so much time together.
Hair, grooming, make-up, what does the future look like for you?
I love my work so much. And I don’t expect other people to love it like I do. I see myself as an artist. So, it’s like a painting; some people will love it, some will hate it. You should be experimenting.
I want to make sure that I have enough work to put together an exhibition of my hair. I have had that offer already. I think maybe this is the year. Let’s see if we can get into Art Basel! I have so much inspiration in my mind and on my phone that I think with the right team, I can create beautiful things.
I have some personal projects that I’m working on, doing more of the production. I’m trying to work more with South American creatives. I have an idea with beautiful hair sculptures, showing the world how many South American people are based in London, and what we create for our community and how we move in our communities. Just showing the beauty of it. Everything is ready, we just have to do it! I have so much support from the South American creators in London, that really makes me happy and it’s probably going to open a different door for me.
I think it will be a lot of hair sculptures this year!