“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen
“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen
We get into the nitty gritty with Mike’s experience balancing salon and session work
by MADDI | DOCUMENTS
Winning the It List The Editorial Stylist award back in September marked an exciting milestone for Mike Mahoney, a stylist who is all about pushing creative boundaries in both salon and editorial settings. With a background in session work under top industry names, Mike has forged a unique path, blending salon commitments with the high-paced world of editorial and runway shows.
Mike’s schedule is a balancing act between his salon clients at Josh Wood’s Atelier and his role on the core team of session stylist Gary Gill. Working under Gary has given Mike opportunities with high-profile brands and photographers, like London-based Tomila Katsman, enabling him to perfect techniques across editorial campaigns, look books and runway work.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with Gary and be part of a setup that allows me to commit fully,” Mike says. In most salons, taking time off for an editorial project would be a challenge, but The Atelier’s supportive environment encourages growth in both realms. “At other salons, the support system wasn’t always there,” Mike explains. “Here, I can go off on projects and bring that experience back to my clients.”
Mike notes a clear distinction between the work he does for editorial shoots and what goes into styling a salon client. “On set, I usually have days to understand the brand’s mood or to practice the look,” he explains. “With a client, it’s much faster – just a few minutes from reception to chair to figure out their style, but with my editorial experience, it’s easier to do it quickly.”
Those brief salon moments are where Mike’s editorial expertise shines, adding subtle touches that elevate everyday looks. “A tiny tweak can be the reason clients rebook,” he notes, emphasising that this attention to detail makes each experience unique and tailored.
Mike got in the mix during Fashion Month in September, contributing to shows for Diesel, McQueen, Chloé, Balenciaga, and Hermès. He reflects on the differences, saying, “Shows like Chloé focus on soft, luxurious hair that’s still accessible to salon clients, while Balenciaga is just pure fun – creative and intense.”
Fashion week, however, isn’t just about glamour. “Those effortless styles that look like they took minutes often take the longest to perfect,” Mike jokes. Whether he’s styling models or clients, Mike’s favourite part is the challenge, capturing personalities and adding those “extra tweaks” that make all the difference.
Mike encourages aspiring editorial stylists to put themselves out there. “Practice your craft, collaborate with other creatives, and build your portfolio, especially on Instagram,” he advises. His journey began with a passion project inspired by street culture, which he and friends used to shape their vision without needing to wait for traditional media exposure. “Nowadays, you’re lucky to have Instagram – it gives you the chance to put your work out there instantly.”
Reflecting on his career, Mike credits his mentors and experiences with helping him balance creativity with financial stability. “It’s about finding the right environment,” he shares. “With a supportive salon, you don’t have to choose between your creative ambitions and personal goals.”
From high-stakes fashion shows to behind-the-chair transformations, Mike Mahoney continues to merge high fashion with salon accessibility, inspiring a new wave of stylists with every look.
Read more about Mike’s editorial excellence by checking out the latest edition of Runway.
