I recently returned from New York where I had the opportunity to work several shows for Fashion Week. If there is anyone who feels like they may not quite belong there, its me. Having only really embraced “session” work for the past two years. Fashion Week seems like it may be a little premature and definitely intimidating. Since coming out to Los Angeles, I feel that my styling skills have steadily improved as well as my confidence, which is the real issue. If there is anything I have learned, it is to say “yes”. Whether its a good experience or a bad one, you will come out learning something. So after working the Allure shoot with Duffy, he invited me to come out and work on the shows he had booked. Corresponding with his Agency, I was informed that he only had two shows booked, so they asked if I might be interested in working with the Bumble and Bumble team for rest of Fashion Week. By the way, I feel like I have already typed “Fashion Week” entirely too many times. Oh well. Bumble and Bumble always came across a bit exclusive to me. So being some inexperienced outsider such as myself, it was a daunting thought. I said “Yes” anyway, even though the terrified hair school boy in me was screaming at me to do the opposite.
Saying yes afforded me the opportunity to work with a couple of amazing hairdressers. As soon as I realized who it was, I knew I had made the right decision. Not only was I going to be able to work with Duffy, but I was also going to be working with Laurent Philippon and Neil Moodie. If you know these names, you know they are well known for their work in the industry. This only added to the stress, but my anticipation as far as what I had the opportunity to learn, and who I had to learn it from, was enough to diffuse any reluctance lurking in the recesses of my mind.
The first day on the job I had two shows with Laurent Philippon. The first was Lacoste and the second was Herve Leger. I was staying all the way in Brooklyn, Bushwick, to be more specific. I wasnt going to take a chance to navigate the train system wrong at 5am so I took a cab and got there by our 6:30am call time. Walking in, I see no familiar faces, not that I expected to but you never know. The first person I talk to was Ivan who regularly assists Laurent and is a stylist for Bumble. He really couldnt be nicer and got me set up and pointed me in the right direction. Laurent showed up and demonstrated the look for us and we got to work. After that we had a lunch break and came back to work on the looks for Herve Leger which quickly put me in my place as a hairdresser. Laurent effortlessly demonstrated this look. I had recently been practicing my braiding which I had never really done before. Who knew we needed to practice? I made one attempt and to my surprise, I didnt do too bad. Unfortunately Laurent said and I quote: “You either can cornrow or you can’t. If you are not confident, do not try. This is no time for experimentation.” So, I took a step back and let the pros work.
Herve Leger
Herve Leger
The next day I worked with Duffy on Custo Barcelone, and as Ive stated before, he is ridiculously cool and really makes you feel comfortable when youre working on his team. The look was fairly simple and unfortunately, I was not able to get any pictures.
The next day was Wes Gordon and Karen Walker with Laurent again. Basically he asked us to make Dreads on these girls using hairspray and back combing. We were all thinking we were finishing our own looks but then Laurent would steal your model and make them look amazing. He never lead on for a moment that we were just prepping these girls for his finishing touches. Touche Laurent…. Touche….
Wes Gordon – Shot by Jane Houle
Wes Gordon – Shot by me:) Look at that Pirate on the right! ARRRRRRRR
Panoramic shot of the presentation.
After that we did Naeem Kahn with Neil Moodie. The look was clean and fairly simple in concept but the execution was no picnic. Adding hair to the pony tails proved to be a matter of trial and error but we eventually got it right. Neil is a really sweet and talented guy, he was great to work with.
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
The last show I did was BROOD with Duffy. Just looking at these pictures will make your fingers cramp up. The whole week was an educational experience. If your goal is to do this some day, I very much suggest coming out to New York and assisting some of these great artists. Your work will never be the same.
Amazing photo of Duffy working on a model. By Jane Houle
Brood
Duffy for Brood
Brood