sky high subculture
Skyler behind the scenes on a shoot
So, this is your first RADAR outing Skyler; give us a little background info… My parents worked in the oil industry and travelled a lot, so we came to Scotland when I was around 14 or 15, so I finished high school in the UK. My parents were like ‘get out and do something’ and I wanted my own money, so I worked in a hairdressers, Tiffany’s. I loved it, and really liked the whole customer service side of it. I think that’s an American thing! I remember I used to have a job in Victoria’s Secret in the US, and I could always tell an English person a mile off. You’d ask if they wanted help and they would be like ‘NO!’ When my parents left I stayed here but I had to promise that I’d go to university before thinking about hair. I went back to Houston and did marketing, then came back to the UK and did a Vidal Sassoon course. So by that time you knew it was all about hair for you? I felt like it was the way to go. I’d moved to London and my parents were like, ‘go, here’s a bunch of money, when it runs out, you’re screwed’ so all these things determined what I would do next. I learnt a lot on the Vidal Sassoon course. And it’s funny how now, when I see stylists who come out of that school, I really feel for them; they come out with this amazing skill set, but none of the client relations stuff. I’d love to tell you this glamorous story, but when I finished there I looked for jobs all over but couldn’t get one! Well someone obviously gave you a chance!
One day I saw a poster for seanhanna in Canary Wharf. I joined as a stylist but a few months in, I think they were realising I didn’t have the client repertoire! I think they were gonna get rid of me but at the same time they could see that I wanted to improve. I had what my mum calls a ‘come to Jesus’ – meaning, it ain’t as good as you think it is! It’s great creating these amazing looks and cuts and shapes, but there’s no point if you’re not communicating with the client. So you really thought you might be on your way out? Yes, but rather than Sean (Hanna) waiting for me to fall flat on my face, instead he and my manager at the time gave me opportunities and invested in me – made me do shows, sent me on courses. But nothing teaches you as much as having a full column, which is definitely the case at the Canary Wharf salon. It’s a tiny little salon but you can walk in there today and you’ll have a full column by Saturday. You learn a lot because you have no choice not to! I stayed there for three years before moving to the Wimbledon salon as a top stylist.
8
Born in Houston, Texas, Skyler McDonald has a serious work ethic; with just six years in the industry, this girl is a force to
be reckoned with. As Creative Director at seanhanna she is not only making waves
with her creative take on hair, but also isn’t afraid to go for broke when it comes to making her salon business work. By Charisse Kenion
And now you’re Creative Director – not bad progress for someone thinking they were going to be sacked?! I know; but I think I really just took the challenge on after seeing they were willing to invest in me. I was on it; whenever I heard about something going on, I wanted to be involved. I entered lots of competitions, and made it on to the F.A.M.E team in 2006. I wanted to do anything and everything. But when I was first made Creative Director, to be honest, they didn’t really have a title for me. It was really only once I’d got into the role, a couple of years later, that I really felt like the Creative Director; now I can say that that really is my role. How did you find being on the F.A.M.E team? I think the Fellowship is a really good thing. It’s an organisation that gives opportunities. I did a shoot, met people I wouldn’t have before – I had no confidence and yet I had the chance to ask these people some invaluable questions about their experiences, especially on the business side of things.
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