As 2023 gets under way, we had a good catch up with Gary Baker, the international creative director of Unite Hair. Gary was fresh from delivering his 3rd Runway Ready course, held near London. It’s a unique, two-day bootcamp which focuses on creative techniques and recent trends, and designed to get you ready for working as a session stylist. Open to hairdressers of all levels, we were keen to find out how it works. You’ll find this fascinating, so do read on:
Gary, how did the course go?
“The course went very well with the highest turnout yet and a great mixture of experienced and new hairdressers. The good thing was amazing enthusiasm from all who took part. It was very productive and all looking forward to February shows.
Remind us how the Runway Ready course works?
“It’s a two day boot camp, and if you are doing hair, no matter what stage of your career you are eligible to come along. It’s not driven by experience – if you’ve only been doing hair for a short time you can still come along and be a great assistant. In the same instance we want experienced hairdressers because they will be leading a partnership with another stylist or maybe another group of stylists in creating a look backstage. So it’s not an exclusive course by any means, it’s open to anybody.”
Do you think taking Runway Ready then subsequently working backstage can complement the career of a hairdresser?
“Well to start, you’re put under extreme pressure straight away compared with what you do in a salon environment. Everything is timed. Once you get used to working like that, salon work becomes a breeze. Because a lot of session work, and backstage work is problem solving in how to use products, how to use them differently. The confidence factor you get from it, far outweighs any other thing you deal with and taking that through your career is a massive plus for any stylist.”
London Fashion Week is coming up next month. How excited are you for the team, and how do you think they’ll feel about working backstage?
“I think everyone will feel a lot more comfortable now they’ve done the 2-day bootcamp as I’ve always tried to play the worst case scenario; so you can see the huge transition from day one to day two. They gelled really well. I’m pleased for the leads who are running the show in London – they’ve got a very good team because its’ a mix of returners and newbies.
What products have you used most in the past few days on the course?
“We always use a huge amount of hairspray purely because, as we like to say, that’s being kind to the people on the next show as they can brush all these looks out with hairspray. So Max Control spray, Le:Play spray, and a little bit of Beach Day and Texturiser sprays as well. And a few with a more setting side to them… a lot of finishing. We’ve used a lot of the U Dry Fresh dry conditioner, too, because it reactivates the model’s hair and keeps the hair pliable.”
At the beginning of the class you ask for the trainees expectations and then touch base at the end. What was the feedback?
“Great feedback! Initially they always start off with ‘I want to learn new things,’ ie new techniques. By the end, their eyes have shifted, and their thought processes have shifted to much more technical processes, and they’re much more detail-driven. You are really drilling down into certain looks. They have to replicate that in the hair – their eyes have shifted.”
How can salon owners or Runway Ready participants use that experience to promote their business?
“It gives them an edge over other salons – sending your staff to fashion week. It’s one of the pinnacles of most hairdressers careers. It gives you an edge to what is coming trend-wise and for your social media to publicise your staff working at fashion week. For recruitment it’s really really good and it keeps your staff motivated.”
You’re next here in July for another Runway Ready course?
“I’ll be returning after Miami Swimwear week and we’ll be prepping for the London shows in September.”
We’ve loved hearing from Gary Baker, and look forward to his return to London. For more exciting news and interviews click here
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