Craig Chapman: Part 2

Last month saw Salon Business sit down with the super divine Craig Chapman to see who has inspired him. We revealed his first – his photographer of course – in this month’s issue of Salon Business. 

Continuing the series right here, we’re now bringing you Craig’s words on quite why he loves his agent…

I was lucky enough to win ‘Afro Hairdresser of the Year’ at the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards in 2012. I can’t tell you how ecstatic I was to be recognised for specialising in Afro hair – quite unique for a Cornish hairdresser!

I knew that this would be the key to another world – session styling.

I’d always fancied myself as a session stylist, working on fashion weeks, editorial, campaigns and the such and had tried my hand at some but I knew that an agent was the next step to making this a serious part of my career, but how?

After talking with friends, I decided to move to London for six months and throw myself into the ‘new world’. It was the only way, and with a strong salon team behind me my wish was fulfilled. I’m eternally grateful.

So to Holborn I moved and an agent I sought – but trust me it is TOUGH! I can’t tell you how many I saw that flicked through my portfolio in two minutes flat and just said; “Thank you, we’ll be in touch” or “you don’t do the right kind of work.” Disheartend, I can tell you, but with grit and vigor I continued on my search and thankfully an industry friend introduced me to S Management and I went onboard with the lovely Fiona and her crew – It was so exciting. I did editorials, Sunday supplements and fashion weeks, but for me, it didn’t seem to fit. I can’t tell you why it was, just a gut feeling that there was another part of this incredible industry that was calling me.

Then I got that call. My dear friend and makeup Artist, Elizabeth Rita is represented by Alchemy for the Eyes who specialise in TV and Music and they were looking for a hairstylist to head up the up and coming X Factor advert…Trying not to sound like an over excited child, I took the call, and of course said yes. There I was, on the M4 being booked for a TV job. That instant I knew this was the right path. I took my trusty salon team to work on the incredibly long filming and I’m gonna say it, we smashed it out of the park.

Penny and Jackie Tyson, the sister duo behind Alchemy, called me a few days later to meet in London (I’d moved back to Cornwall at this point) to discuss them representing me. From the outset they said that they only represented Make Up Artists and didn’t have any hair stylists on their books – they weren’t sure how it would pan out – I went for it anyway and followed my gut instincts.

That was four years ago and I can only say that the journey has been exceptional. It took a while to build, but they backed me and sourced the work and before I knew it, I had work for Taylor Swift, Will.i.am for the BRIT awards and the BBC Music Awards, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent and with my name getting out there the lead went to Cannes Film Festival and most recently the Emmys, both for the De Niros. The hard work and perseverance was worth it.

I can honestly say it’s about connection and belief and that is something I have with the Tyson sisters and it’s great to know they have my back.

The cream of course is being the Lead Stylist for The Voice UK for a second season. It’s a dream job, working with incredible talent and my team get to be involved from the salon and my industry friends Ashleigh Hodges, Laura and Ria Kulik and Rebecca Wilcox too. What more can you ask for.

Making that step into another part of our industry was the best thing I’ve done, even though it was difficult to get started, its unveiled another side of my creativity and given me the opportunity to share it with friends. But it is out there for the taking for us all. I’m from Cornwall and still made it happen – if I can, you can. Follow your dreams fearlessly.

Part 3 coming soon…