Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1316647
26 indie stylist Volume 1 Issue 3 of the models so they would really come out and stand strong—a little otherworldly. Then, we put elf ears on another model. We tried to make her look almost like she wasn't real. Not really plastic but without a lot of skin texture— very much drawn-in and inanimate, really. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROCESS FOR SHOOTING A COLLECTION. I do a lot of research. I have folders where I save inspirations, and I just start gathering things up. Then, when it's time to do a project—or I'm looking to start a project—I'll go back through my folders to see if there's a theme. I also look to fashion. I want to see what's going on in trends. And I look at forecasting. Then, when I figure out what I want my team or direction to be, I really start to nail down the exact look and pieces I want. I consider what the hair, makeup, wardrobe, and lighting will look like, so each piece is uniquely put together for the shoot. I keep dialing it down to, "OK, this is where I want to land with it." Then, I can communicate that to the team. HOW DOES A HAIRSTYLIST GET INTO THE WORLD OF EDITORIAL HAIR? When I started out, it was very much about doing the work, having your book, and having an agent. There's still some of that, but a lot of success today relies on how many followers you have. Social media plays a big part in getting people to see your work. I still think it's valuable to find a mentor to point you in the right direction, but I think the first step is to start shooting your own work. Get friends and models, and just start shooting. Today, you can get your work out there very easily. When I was starting out, it was, "I have to get the prints from the photographer, and then we have to get them printed." Then we had to put them in a book and load them up to our website. It was a lot more time-consuming. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR STYLISTS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THEIR NEXT MOVE? There are so many areas and elements to hairstyling. It's not one thing. It's not just working in a salon. It's not just doing editorial. It's vast, and there are so many opportunities to try new things. I've been fortunate to live in different countries and work for great companies and amazing people who inspired and shaped me, but I had to get out of my comfort zone. Especially since I was 19 when I went to Germany, and then I was in my early 20s when I came to the States. So, when an opportunity comes along that matches your drive and passion, be brave and do it! HOW HAS YOUR ROLE CHANGED SINCE BECOMING MULTIMEDIA CREATIVE DIRECTOR? Two years ago, I accepted the job of creative director [with Paul Mitchell], which took me into an office setting where I was managing a huge team of people: copywriters, designers, editors, production teams. I had taken more of a director's role as opposed to a physical hairstylist role. I would do everything from reviewing packaging, looking at copy, and calling a photo shoot to working with the editors. I found out that this was not for me! I love the team, but I'm just not the person to manage "There are so many areas and elements to hairstyling. It's not one thing. It's not just working in a salon. It's not just doing editorial. It's vast, and there are so many opportunities to try new things." —Lucie Doughty