At only 25, has it been hard to marry up the creative side of you with the business angle of the er, business? For us it’s about business through creativity. Sean and I are a unit – both in and outside of work. I’m very driven and so is he, so we work well together and bring in a different energy. You can be all creative but it has to be for something. No entrepreneur sits there and says, ‘hmm I want to make lots of money, so why don’t I go into hair?’ You mentioned your relationship with Sean, so now we have to ask: have you ever got any snotty comments re your role at seanhanna? Anyone who knows us and how we are would know it’s never been an issue – I’m very independent. But in the beginning, if anything, it made me try harder. After a while though, if you’re doing great things, no-one can say anything. Sean has almost 30 years experience; what do you feel you bring to the business? Anything you see happening or changing now, started happening around three years ago. That was when I started looking at the brand. You can think you’re so different, but actually, you’re not. You have to make a difference, and this was before the recession! We had to step things up creatively, we took on Catalyst PR and decided to grow. It was a case of, if we don’t do it now, we might never get round to it. And re-doing your brand takes years, even if it’s just the logo! Tell us about your gorgeous Putney salon. It wasn’t as though we planned to be here; it was just a nice building and we wanted to grow. I wanted my own salon and had the money (I’m the franchisee here) and I liked running my own team. I worked with Melvyn Allen, who has been doing Sean’s salons for almost 30 years. It was pretty cool that he did Sean’s first one! [Skyler has framed the newspaper clipping from when that first salon opened for all of her Putney clients to see.] We wanted the salon to be trendy and intimate, and a bit moody. Clients say they really feel relaxed here. [If you haven’t seen it for yourself get down to 108 Putney High Street – we loved the slightly rock ‘n’ roll vibe, complete with chains and blackened mirrors.] Is there a Skyler ‘look’? When I first started out I didn’t know what I was, and I still don’t. I don’t think there is a seanhanna look either. Look at Errol Douglas – never the same. But then Akin Konizi – you know that’s his cut. You can
Hair: Skyler McDonald for seanhanna Makeup: Irena Rogers Clothes styling: Bernard Connolly Photography: Alessandro Cecchini
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interview Cats or dogs? Oh dogs! Easy. They’re the most amazing creatures. That’s another thing I can do once Sean and I take time out; have a dog! Describe your style? I love All Saints. I would say I’m eclectic but I can’t do that whole thrift store thing; I like to get in and get out. What’s on your iPod? ZZ Top’s Gimme All Your Lovin’ and lots of Aerosmith. Whose hair would you like to give a good seeing to? Cheryl Cole; she’s boring. I’d give her something cool that every girl would want. But I’d love to do Lady Gaga’s hair – we could do something really f***ed up!
Hair: Alfie Booth Makeup: Liz Collinge Photography: John Rawson
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spot a Rush cut a mile away. I think that type of brand identification is great, but I’m still trying to find out what my look is. What’s next for you?
You can’t take away my role at seanhanna, as this is where I am, and where I’m going to be. On a personal level, I want to be British Hairdresser of the Year. Obviously part of that is about my ego, as everyone wants to leave behind a legacy, but it’s also about pushing the salons. I just shot for avant garde at the BHAs yesterday and in two weeks we’re shooting for London; I cannot believe we’ve managed to get this amazing photographer! The
shoot yesterday was great, as the photographer pushed me to make my pictures more beautiful and make the model look good. I’m very excited! Longterm, Sean and I want an exit strategy. With 28 years difference between us, I need to make success happen fast, as we don’t have all the time in the world. And what will you be doing once you’ve made your exit? Skiing! What would you say to other stylists/salons keen to enter awards? I think when it comes to the BHAs you just have to be prepared to burn that money! I don’t know how some people manage [with the costs.] But the outcome could be great. I feel like we can do it.
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