James Brown Interview
How did you get into hairdressing?
“When I was eight my older sister would go to get her hair blow-dried every Saturday, then come home, wash it and style it herself. I asked her why she bothered getting it done at the salon if she was just going to re-do it herself and she said, ‘Girls get their hair done, it’s just what we do’. So I asked if I could do it for her instead, and she let me. From then I started doing all of my neighbours’ hair and that’s where my love of hairdressing began.”
How did you make the transition from normal hairdresser to session stylist?
“I lived with photographer Corinne Day and she used to ask me to do the hair on her shoots but I always thought shoot hair was big ‘80s prostitute hair and so kept refusing. Then one day she asked me to do a girl’s hair like I did Kate’s (Moss) and from then on I realised I could do amazing natural-looking hair on shoots too. From there I just started doing all the girls I knew, and it just escalated.”
As a celeb stylist I can imagine you've been in some heated situations, what's the trickiest?
“I’ve only ever had two nightmare incidents. Most of my clients are my friends now so I don’t get anyone being awful. One time I was trying to blow-dry an actress’s hair in Central Park and she was on two mobile phones – one on each ear – the whole time. I repeatedly asked her to put them down as I couldn’t do her hair properly and she just totally ignored me, so I packed up my stuff and walked out. I don’t have to take bulls**t like that from anyone, famous or not.”
How did the concept of 'Great British Hairdresser' come about? Was it your idea?
“Channel 4 approached me and said they would like to do a show with me, and I said it would have to be either fashion, hair or horse- related. Obviously we went for the hair angle, no- one wants to watch me riding about on my horse. But I’d quite like to do a show where I teach celebrities how to ride horses!”
You're really honest on the show and not afraid to be blunt with the contestants;, are you like that with your A-list clients?
“100%. I can’t be doing with bulls**t, and most of my clients are my friends so I can just say ‘Shut up you look amazing’ .“
Who were the most memorable contestants for you?
“One guy who really stood out was Shaun, the ginger guy with the glasses. He’s got a great sense of humour, really chatty and fun, but unfortunately he didn’t make it to the final 10 because as soon as he started working he lost all that personality;, he couldn’t carry it through into his work. If I did another series I’d love him to come back though, he definitely has something.”
Obviously the winner gets the fabulous prize of being mentored by you and styling a mag cover, but did you find a few other hidden gems throughout the season apart from the winner?
“Yes, quite a few. I speak to some of them still and a few are already working as session stylists! They ring me and say ‘I just styled this shoot’ and I’m really pleased because that’s what the show’s all about – opening up opportunities to people who wouldn’t necessarily have had them before.”
Who’s hair would you love to get your hands on?
“Cate Blanchett. I love her. But now that she’s moved to Australia I’ve not got much chance of that happening, Ii’m not flying over there for a blow-dry!”
Your new haircare range ‘Photo Fabulous’ has just launched. Which are your favourite products?
“The Dry Shampoo – can’t live without – and the Heat Protector, which smells gorgeous. The thing is, the products really are good, and we have used great ingredients, which means I’m making less money but it’s better in the long-run because people aren’t stupid, they want a product that does what it says on the tin, and these really do.”
What are your top 5 hair essentials?
“Hairdryer.
Curling tongues.
Heated rollers.
Hairbrands.
Kirbygrips, I can’t live without kirbygrips.”
What’s the one hair tip every girl should know?
“Keep it simple. Don’t overdo it, just keep it simple.”
Watch Great British Hairdresser every Monday on E4 at 10pm and to find out more about James Brown’s Photo Fabulous range go to: jamesbrownlondon.com
