Hair Visionary
We talk to renowned British hairdresser, Mark Leeson, a name synonymous with glamorous, wearable hair. Award-winning, trailblazing, and at the cutting-edge of their craft, both Mark Leeson and his stellar team of stylists are a force to be reckoned with.
As Global Artistic Ambassador for Revlon Professional, Mark Leeson is one of the most prolific hairdressers in the world, with a career spanning over 35 years. His exceptional talent has led to him scooping the acclaimed British Hairdresser of the Year Award, amongst many other accolades for him and his team. Today he trains and showcases his work all around the world. Headway looks back at the journey that has shaped his career and finds out why his signature look is a formula he’ll never deviate from.
How did you get into hairdressing initially?
I started at 16 and never had a day of regret in my life. It was a fantastic time to be embarking on a hairdressing career and little did I know I would still be doing it decades later. Initially, I was transfixed how hair plays such a pivotal role in how people’s personal expression is measured. Thanks to bands at the time such as Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran, all the guys were having colour in their hair and it was a really cool time to start in hairdressing. Fortunately, I picked the right salon where training was very important. I was encouraged to enter competitions and the rest is very clear! What this initial training also gave me was a template, a template on how I should treat and teach my team, which I’ve stuck to rigidly ever since.
What’s a working week like for you?
Extremely varied, as it’s not just about being behind the salon chair. Having said that, it’s still important to me and there’s nothing I love more than looking after my clientele and working alongside my inspiring team. That is becoming increasingly less as my role as Global Ambassador for Revlon Professional finds me undertaking bespoke elements of their education programme and international travel. I also mentor a team called the Revlon Visionaries - four people that go through a year-long intensive training programme under my direction, culminating in a photographic shoot and stage presentation. I’m also very driven artistically and work closely with my team as they work on their photographic collections. I ensure I’m always present on their shoot, not to help but to support.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Many hairdressers are drawn towards the natural elements but I’ve really got my head into fashion. For me, it starts with fashion then I create the hair I would like to see with it. I’m constantly online, delving into trend forecasts and witnessing the world at large and I go from there to what’s next. I don’t rely on historical archive on any level.
Many members of the Mark Leeson team are consistent award-winners. How have you encouraged them professionally and creatively?
I truly believe the success of any salon is how much time you invest in the individuals that work in it. At Mark Leeson there is a divide; we have a team of hairdressers who are happy just to service their clients but we also have a team of personalities that are really driven to succeed in their chosen field. I get so much enjoyment from seeing them progress through the ranks and in turn, they afford me with loyalty. However far they have come, we still meet to discuss the elements of what they want to showcase in their collections and meticulously try to find the models, the clothing, the makeup and photography to best support it.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Winning British Hairdresser of the Year back in 2014. I’ve dedicated my life to hairdressing and to be recognised by my peers as the best in the country is incredible. This was a dream of mine since the day I started and I’m living proof that if you work hard and don’t give up, you can achieve anything.
What’s your creative process when starting on a collection?
It’s true our look, vibe and feel has become instantly recognisable but it inspires me to keep trying new things while staying true to what we do. We’ve never stood still and will continue to push boundaries. I work on the creative process of each shoot, whether with my own team and their collections or a collection for Revlon as a project. It starts with a simple idea; whether I like the line of a couture coat, or have seen someone on the street with interesting hair. I start sketching and the story starts to evolve. As mentioned before, it generally stems from fashion.
What do you attribute your success to?
It’s all down to building strong foundations. The amount of training I put into my skill-set at a young age was incredible and I had my eye on the prize from day one. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this however without being surrounded by a truly amazing team – and the perfect business/life partner that I have in Richard Darby.
What is your best advice for stylists starting out?
Ensure you pick the right salon for you, a salon that appreciates your goals and helps you reach them. Be prepared to put in the work, build those really strong foundations, then learn how to break them.