Hi everybody,

I have not been on here in a long time, I have been super busy but with wedding season coming to an end I have a little bit more free time.

Here is a little about me. I work part time at a salon and part time freelance. I do a lot of weddings and also do some local photo shoots here and there.

I am trying to figure out what I should do next. My big dream is to one day have my work shown in Vogue, Elle and other big magazine.
I would also love to work more in the commercial world like styling hair for JC penny adds and stuff like that.
But how to I get there???

I only do hair not make up and really don't know what agency to contact that could be interested in signing me.
I also wouldn't mind assisting other amazing hair stylists at first.

Does anybody have any ideas on what I should do?

Thank you so much in advance

Alice

Alice I collaborated frequently with a hair stylist who did much commercial work for VOGUE... while she enjoyed the experience she left after a year because she never got recognition for her work which as always credited to the key stylist on the shoot... even though she did the entire look...

btw, she was incredible FAST!!!  none of the other stylist I've work with could even come close to the excellence she attained so quickly...  to work at the higher echelons i.e. agency in NYC you have to be highly effective and extremely quick...

Keep in mind her job was in NYC...  you have to locate in your desired market... VA beach isn't considered the fashion center of the east coast... not even close...

how to I get there???

Have you considered agency representation in a market which has assignments in the genre you desire?

best advice? weddings... they are by far and away at the zenith of the art and recompense... updos rule...

Hi Alice,

There is definitely some advice I can offer you on this.

Firstly, I can tell you that, if you're serious about this, you should consider moving to your market, like mentioned above. On the East Coast of the US, that market is based in New York, DC and Miami. But since you only do hair, like me, you're most viable option (and the best anyway, as far as I'm concerned) is New York. It's possible to build a career that leads to Elle, Vogue and large commercial clients without being in New York, but it will mean constantly traveling here on easily a once or twice weekly basis.

Next you have to build a rapport with the people that can get you the jobs that you want. That means contacting agencies and artists you admire to assist. Make no mistake, you will have to assist and you will do for a long time. Even after you've got regular commercial clients and major publications, you will still be assisting artists who are bigger and more prolific than you. It's just good business. It keeps you learning, it keeps money coming in, it keeps you on the radar of bigger and better projects, and, if you're trusted, that person will one day hand you jobs that they're too busy to take. I've had the privilege to be assisting Johnny Lavoy for 3 years, and he has given me opportunities that I wouldn't have dreamed of when I first started stumbling down this road. Even though I have my own clients and have been published a substantial number of times, I'll stick by him until I'm just too busy, because he's taken me across oceans, gotten me on national TV shows and given me strong connections to one of the most successful hair care companies in the world. If you're competent, efficient and have a good attitude, the right person will gladly do that for you.

You also need to know that getting in Elle, Vogue and other publications of their rank, with few exceptions, takes a long time. I have been doing editorials for 5 years and I have assisted for Marie Claire, Vogue and Elle, but never done a shoot of my own with them. You're going to have to shoot and shoot and shoot. Test up and up. You have to build a solid book focused toward the market you want to work in. I can give you a critique via PM on that if you like.

You can also continue your bridal business in New York. I do a lot of bridal myself, and am the lead stylist at a fairly successful bridal company here. This will be a great moneymaker for you while you fight through the trenches to get to the top of the fashion food chain. The bridal market is very strong here and very competitive. A good artist on a high end wedding here can take home upwards of $5000 from one event. Again, it takes a lot of time building a reputation to command that, but even newer artists to the city can make a good living at it.

Hopefully that gives you some food for thought.
Alexander

I just want to say that Alexander is the bomb! It is so wonderful to see a stylist of his calibre take the time and effort to give such detailed advice and information.

I am so sorry I did nor respond sooner, I had no idea anybody commented . Thank you soooo much for all your advice, I might really have to consider moving, I just want to do it all lol. Thanks again