Two years later Des decided to go

to Sassoon, but after that, he just couldn’t decide where to take his career next. “I started assisting a fashion

photographer and learnt all the technical stuff. This was in the days when there was no digital; I was working on all of these test shoots and ended up going out and buying a camera. My girlfriend at the time had a wicked Sassoon haircut, so I took some photographs of her – they were rubbish,” he admits. Des knew he needed to learn even

more if he was ever going to start producing more ‘attractive’ imagery. “I made a trade-off with these two

photographers; I said I’d do the hair on their shoots if they would teach me everything they knew about photography,” he says. After two years of learning about

everything from equipment to lighting Des admits he was never a natural. “I really had to work at it – I thought I’d

never get it. I was told I had a great eye but just couldn’t get my head around the mechanics of it. But when it comes to something I’m scared of, I just submerge myself in it.” And the proof is everywhere, not only in Des’s own collections, but in the work he does for his colleagues in the industry – so far this year he’s photographed the work of nine entrants to the British Hairdressing Awards. As usual he’s not one to boast about

his work: “I think people choose me to do their photography not because I’m a great

photographer (although, of course, he is)

but because I know hair.” Once Des had honed his photography,

he thought it was time for another move. Then aged 25, after taking part in a major hair show in New York, he decided he wanted to live there. Ever focused, he did his homework and took a holiday to research contacts and opportunities. For two years he threw himself into the life of styling and Dj-ing, playing Acid house at legendary clubs such as Nell’s, MK’s and Mars. “I’d work two days in the salon and

DJ in the evenings – back then I had loads of energy,” he laughs, before admitting he even got into a spot of wedding photography. Soon he and a friend decided they

wanted to set up shop in Manhattan. “We had a really big shop, in Greenwich

Village, that used to be a photographer’s studio. It was an absolute tip – it took us a whole week just to sweep up the dust. We made a verbal agreement with the landlord, who was a friend of my business partner, and then spent six months of blood, sweat and tears working on it – we did everything.”

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Called Bangs, the salon opened and was

doing well, but after a couple of weeks of trading the landlord wanted Des out. “He saw how well the place was doing

and wanted to take it over. As he was a friend of my business partner, that was it really.” Des decided it was time to head back

to London, and set about finding the funds to open his own place. For the next five and a half years he ran

a successful Covent Garden salon, but when the lease was up he decided not to renew it. “We were in the middle of the

recession and the landlord was putting the rent up! I gave him the keys back. The salon’s still empty now…” says Des. When I ask him how it felt, he’s less blasé, more philosophical, quoting an un- named army general, who, after winning a battle during WWII, cites the reason for his success as the fact that he has lost enough wars. Des also goes on to quote a few more motivational catchphrases, such as ‘aim for gold and you’ll get silver’ – he’s not remotely cheesy but instead, comes across as someone who appreciates the power of inspirational speech. I can’t help but say that he sounds a little like Alan Austin-Smith. “I love Alan!” he interjects. “I’m

working with him as Art Director for the Fantastic Hairdresser Art Team. He’s brilliant; I had a spare ticket for his event at the Mermaid Theatre recently and I couldn’t believe I couldn’t get someone to come with me; he’s amazing.” I ask if Des thinks he’ll ever give up

hair in favour of photography, or something else and it almost looks like the answer’s yes… “I almost did last week! It was 3pm

and I had a client booked in at 7.30pm for a consultation. I was really tired as I’d been working seven day weeks with early mornings and late nights, but I thought, ‘no, just hang on for this client’. I really was so tired, like I was gonna collapse – but still I sat there and twiddled my thumbs. But she didn’t turn up – she didn’t even cancel! I’d just sat around for almost four hours for a cancellation,” he laughs. But aside from that little incident, Des

says he’ll never choose between his two loves, as they simply work far too well together. For now, he has major plans on the horizon – plans that he’s keeping schtum about for now, but there are rumours of a photography book… “I’m very motivated, very driven.

Where you put your focus is where you get your results; I say I’m gonna win British one day, and I will.”

“I really had to work at it – I thought I’d never get it. I was told I had a great eye but just couldn’t get my head around the mechanics of it. But when it comes to something I’m scared of, I just submerge myself in it.”