Sign up to be part of...
Down under - Leigh Mathews on session work in Australia
Date Added: 2010-03-05
Australian hairdresser, Leigh Mathews has developed a career out of her own creativity. Inspired by art, fashion and film, Leigh combines her session work for fashion shoots and shows, with traveling around the country doing cutting-edge freelance work for celebrity clients. In addition, Leigh has also found the time to open a new studio salon several miles south of Sydney.
“Mostly my business has taken me to the client. As I normally travel all over the place, I'm really enjoying having my own space with the new studio salon,” says Leigh, whose new studio salon space has just opened.
“My colour and cutting clients are a real mix. I think that's because I come into contact with such a diverse range of people.”
Leigh started in the hair business when she left school at 17. She worked in a local salon in the beach town of Wollongong. Her passion and enthusiasm for session work has led her to work on TV adverts and even in films.
“I do as much session work as I can. I shoot a lot. Session work is my true passion. It’s long hours and sparodic, but it's just like play,” says Leigh enthusiastically.
“The creativity is definitely what inspires me most. That's what drew me to styling. Hairdressing is my form of art. I love shape, form and texture that you can create with hair. The shoots and campaigns that appeal most are the ones with perfect balance. I love big beautiful hair.”
Leigh often finds herself styling for weddings, something which, although very different to her session and freelance work, has its own benefits.
“People often come to Wollongong for weddings because of its beautiful beach location, so often I find myself styling in hotels, apartments or wedding venues.”
Leigh’s work with Chrissie Hall, an Australian photographer, can be seen in the latest issue of Salon Business, and it marked a new stage in Leigh’s career as she moved further into the world of daring photographic and session work, something which she describes as her true passion.
“I met Chrissie through Nicole Mccann, a friend and make up artist on our team. She had shot with Chrissie before and introduced us. Chrissie came up with the concept for the 5th Season shoot. The collection explores the concept of global warming, and asks whether, as a result, we have a 5th season? Chrissie is amazing, each shoot is the opposite of the last and her concepts are always really creative and edgy. Chrissie and Wassim (creative director and re-toucher) have an amazing symmetry in the way that they work.”
So what elements does Leigh feel are essential when working on fashion shoots?
“For fashion shoots you really need to be able to use extensions and wigs. There are lots of tricks. Often depending on the number of models that need to be done for the job and outside interferences such as the light, and location time, you can have a very limited time with the model. So what you do needs to be both beautiful and fast.“
At 34, Leigh has been in the business for 18 years and knows only too well the strong tie between fashion, hair and creativity. The fusion of current trends and retro looks is something Leigh loves experimenting with.
“I think that fashion often defines hair and makeup. Through most generations hair has married perfectly with the fashion of the day. In reverse, with trends returning from the 60s and 70s we've seen the hair and make up looks from past fashion eras given the modern edge, for example, the messy up do's that have been everywhere over the last few years and the much softer take on the 20s finger waving and pin curling, such as we used in the 'funhouse' shoot. That's one of my favorite current looks.”
With her experience and knowledge of the industry, Leigh is happy to offer advice to young stylists.
“For young stylists I would say practice. To break into styling, it can take a while. You need to assist with more experienced hairdressers to gain experience and to see what will be expected of you. Then you need to get published work. You can get credits for assisting but you'll have to prove yourself and your capabilities. Once you have a decent range of work in your portfolio, you can start approaching agency's for feedback.”
Leigh’s busy work schedule means she is constantly on the go.
“I have three gorgeous children. My family definitely comes first and miraculously this mix works well for us. I have a wonderful man and my mum and dad help us out a lot, which is great. Session work keeps me on my toes. It's really important in this field to continue to feel inspired, which in itself is really satisfying.”
To view the Funhouse shoot on our new website project:image, click here
