Designs on Top

Amanda Hope of Benchmark Communications, organisers of Design North East, finds out how hair design has evolved over the years and the major trends and influences that have shaped its history.

"Hair design is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. It may take five or six pieces of the jigsaw, to create the desired look, but once you have fitted them together, the result is astounding and very satisfying"

admits John Wade, Partner of John Gerard Hair Salon and Hair Study Centre. John Wade and Gerard Bradley founded their salon back in 1966, so are fully aware of the changes that have taken place since the age of 'flower power'. In those days, a visit to the hairdressers was seen as a luxury, but in today's society, a regular cut and blow dry is considered a necessity. Peter Baptist, Partner and Creative Director adds,

"The modern woman today is looking for minimum effort, but maximum effect".

Hair design, like fashion, is constantly evolving and revolving. The changes in hair design are so frequent that a new style one month, can mean a completely different look the next.

"It is obvious to see that hair design in this country is strongly influenced by role models"

says Peter, on today's rapidly changing trends.

"Today's looks are ruled mainly by movie and pop stars. What the person wants, may not be the best design for them - as a hair designer, we must identify a look that will suit them in every way. We look at a person in an holistic approach. Define their face shape, their colouring, lifestyle and character. This is all part of hair design and helps create a style which is individual to them."

John summarises what it takes to be successful,

"A good hairdresser is someone who can perform the full range of hairdressing services and can move with the times to constantly learn new skills".

It was with these skills in mind that John had his innovative idea in 1987 for the reputable Hair Study Centre in Newcastle City Centre.

"I realised that bringing trainees in-house to carry out their NVQ qualification within the salon environment was a more effective way in which to ensure the best possible standard of hairdresser",

said John.

After hearing of the success of this way of working, other salon owners approached me to enrol their trainees in the Study Centre and the rest is history."

Finding a really good stylist can be difficult for some of us, but the Study Centre plays a vital role in ensuring that the hairdressers of the future are the very best the North East has to offer. The Study Centre has very close links with a number of prestigious hair salons and John is currently training around 130 'hairdressers of the future'. The course involves both theory and practical modules in a salon placement and also in the Study Centre. Trainees can either be referred to the Hair Study Centre by a hair salon or can contact the Study Centre direct.

The North East has a wealth of talent and that talent is finally being recognised. At one time, our capital was considered to be at the fore-front of fashion, but now the North East is holding its own and being recognised as a leader in its field. John says,

"there is an abundance of talent in the North East and in training people through the Hair Study Centre, we are ensuring that this continues to be the case".

With the constant introduction of advanced salon equipment and hair care products to make a hair designer's job easier, the future of hair design is an exciting career prospect.

Peter tips me off that the Page Boy look is coming back into fashion and that the recent Charlie's Angels movie has already had its effect. I'm still trying in vain to achieve last year's Jennifer look, but I think I will start listening to Peter and move with the times!

Middle Ages to 21st Century Hair Design

Hair dressing has been around for as long as we can remember - historical pictures show us the elaborate designs of the wigs of the Aristocracy. It is hard to define when, where and how the first hair salon came about. The fact is, that in today's community, a hair dressing salon is something that most of us could not live without.
New hairstyles can sweep our country with dramatic speed. The recent short crop from Kate Moss will have hairdressers knee-deep in unwanted locks. If we look back at the styles through the times, it is obvious to see the icons who have influenced the designs which we choose to adopt.
In the 1960s the geometric Mary Quant cut was the 'in' design of the times. The 1970's had women in droves trying to achieve the Farah-Fawcett look and now the retro 80s look is returning.
We can all probably remember a haircut acquired on a whim, that still makes us cringe at the memory and yet, in our life time, we will probably have the same haircut at least twice over, just because trends require us to do so.

Career Path

The John Gerard Hair Study Centre was the first of its kind to introduce NVQs in place of the traditional City & Guilds qualification, as advised by the Hair Dressing Federation in 1987. The NVQ qualifications range from level 1 up to level 3 and the full course takes four years.

• The following can be contacted for information on NVQ 1,2 and 3 in Hair Design
• John Gerard Hair Study Centre - tel 0191 261 0202
• BL Hairdressing - tel 0191 261 9636
• Newcastle College - tel 0191 200 4000
• Gateshead College - tel 0191 430 0300
• North Tyneside College - tel 0191 229 5000
• Middlesborough College - tel 01642 333 231 - Levels 1 & 2 only
• Monkwearmouth College - tel 0191 511 6060 - Levels 2 & 3 only
• New College Durham - tel 0191 375 4295

Quote:-

A person's individual image is greatly influenced by their hair, as endorsed by Rod Stewart's statement, "I invented this haircut and will go out with this haircut" Rod Stewart 2001

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This document is reproduced with he kind permission of The Journal and Benchmark Communications.