Master of Style
Headway editor, Charmaine Guest, talks to world-renowned British hairdresser, salon owner, educator and multi-award winner, Errol Douglas MBE, about success, inspiration and his creative process.
Photography: Errol Douglas
What drew you to hair initially?
This spans back to when I used to accompany my Mum to the hairdressers. I just loved it and was amazed by the transformations and the work that went into them. I knew I wanted to be in that position to make people feel good about themselves.
What is currently inspiring you in your work?
I don’t know what it is but I feel today I need to look harder. Like fashion, hair evolves, so I’m always looking at what’s next, trying to find an element of newness and this generally stems from the session guys working the catwalks.
How do you encourage your team professionally and creatively?
I ensure that they are given the best tools to work with, the best education one can only dream about, and a wonderful place to work that is literally bursting with creativity on a daily basis.
Which area of hairdressing are you most passionate about? I’m passionate about the ‘ALL INCLUSIVE HAIRDRESSER’. At last, client demands have set the pace and salons throughout the world are having to learn how to work with all types of hair. For us at Errol Douglas, this is nothing new - we’ve always been inclusive - that’s why our foundations are so strong. There’s nothing we can’t do as a team.
Do you have a signature style when it comes to hair?
No and I don’t want one! I have always strived to constantly reinvent myself and my brand image. I think that is the essence of why I have been nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year consistently for a quarter of a century. It’s the reinvention. I don’t want anyone to look at my collection and say, “oh that’s Errol’s”.
What’s your creative process when starting a collection?
I have to put myself in a box. I love the process, I really do, but it takes so much out of you as there is so much resting on it. You always want the next collection to be better than the last. I don’t have one particular team I work with because I believe that would spoil my magic. I love exploring new avenues and working with like-minded individuals to create the best on the day. It all starts with the mood board, which is a collaboration of all the scraps I’ve pin-boarded throughout the previous three months.
What would you say is your most impressive skill?
I think I’m terribly enthusiastic. I can still get very excited about upcoming events and essentially, I’m the most motivated person I know so pick one of those!
“I have always strived to constantly reinvent myself and my brand image.”
Photography: Errol Douglas
Who is your style muse?
There are lots. I always love Beyonce - she just ticks my box – as does Helen Mirren, who is incredibly stylish. I still adore Naomi Campbell because she’s so hard to beat. I do love reinvention though so I’m all for the stylists behind guys like Harry Styles and Brad Pitt. Clothes and hair do maketh the man – women just need to be beautiful.
Whose hair would you most love to work on?
Boris Johnson needs to understand the importance of a good hairdresser. His hair is an absolute disgrace. I do a lot of work with Haircuts4Homeless so to be honest, I’d like to have more time to visit the Women’s Refuges’ as it is so rewarding.
What do you attribute your success to?
My passion for the industry. I love every day as though it is my first. However, I really do have to thank my right hand gal who ticks my boxes when it comes to the business of business.
What’s your best advice to hairdressers just starting out?
Get in touch with the hairdresser that most inspires you. Start following them and ask if they have any positions or apprentice positions. We are crying out for young people to join our industry. There isn’t a day they will regret. They just have to connect with the right people.