Introducing Hannah
I COULD write, talk and style everything hair all day everyday, so here goes my blog! You may have seen my columns on Celebrity DIY Hairstyles, and there’s a lot there to reference to, but I want the chance to get to engage with hair fans on what inspires you.
First, I’ll give you a brief introduction on my background. All I ever wanted to do was become a stylist. I have the earliest memories of styling my sister’s hair and all my friends at primary school for our disco and even my Barbie dolls. I was only ever interested in hair and people. After being advised not to follow a career in hair I followed the path of journalism. Although any spare time or weekends I was cutting, styling and pimping up the hair of everyone around me! I signed up for evening classes because I was craving to learn more other than what I’d taught myself. I yearned to be taught by the best.
It was thanks to journalism that after ten years of reporting I finally put down my pen and picked up my scissors to fulfil my dream of becoming a full time stylist. I met Phillip Mungeam, TV hair star, face of AVEDA on QVC, and a huge personality while reporting. He was performing on stage during one of his one-man shows for charity and I watched him transform someone’s hair. The way he worked, the speed and accuracy just hypnotised me. That was it – I had to meet this man. Another hurdle in my quest to become a full time paid stylist was that Phillip Mungeam now only had an exclusive salon in Usk and you had to be invited into the ‘club’ by an existing client. I tracked an old journalist friend down and got myself in. After a long six-week wait until my appointment I used the time wisely and gathered a portfolio of my work.
Soon, there I was, sat in the chair, about to have my long red hair cut and I told him I had an ulterior motive. It was then that he was going to completely brush me off or give me his time, thankfully it was the latter.
Several years on I moved from just watching him work on a Saturday morning to sweeping the floors and making teas, coffees and pouring champagne to now. I’ve left journalism behind and am a full time stylist with my own clients and working alongside Phillip Mungeam at The Room in Usk, South Wales. We have fabulous clients from all around the world. Regulars, from as far as Germany and France, to London, Newcastle and good old Carmarthen.
Now I have the best of both worlds. I write and style hair.
By Hannah Mlatem |
