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Volcano and Ashes Tour
(AKA Cosmoprof show and Metamorphose show 2010)
A day in the life of Richard Thompson,
International Creative Director of Mahogany Hairdressing
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 Richard
is founder member, Managing Director and International Creative Director of Mahogany
Hairdressing, UK. His awards and accolades include Fellowship Hairdresser of the
Year and AIPP International Avant Garde Hairdresser. Richard has just finished
serving as President of Fellowship for British Hairdressing and is currently concentrating
on other commitments, recently appearing on 'This Morning'.
His work includes numerous front covers and makeovers for international trade
and consumer magazines and a busy schedule of shows and seminars around the world
including Salon International, CosmoProf Las Vegas, Australian Hair Expo, The
Australian Hair Congress, The British Hair Collections and The Alternative Shows
in Chicago, Bologna, Tokyo, Seoul and London. Despite his busy schedule, Richard
still take's clients on Wednesday and Thursday at the London Salon and on Friday
in one of the Oxford Salons - Turl St.
The life of a top
stylist doesn't always go according to plan, below Richard tells us about a day
when everything just seemed to be full of problems...
Richard Thompson's diary:
"The very morning we were due to fly to Bologna for Cosmoprof 2010, was the
day the volcanic cloud arrived. Within minutes of each other Antony and Vivica
phoned (6am) -
"Have you heard there are no flights, there's ash cloud!"
I couldn't believe it and thought they were joking, but I then asked Viv to buy
the three remaining Euro star tickets and asked Antony and Russell to hire a coach
for the remaining 9 of the team - Colin, Antony, Viv, Tai, Neil, Sarah, myself,
Lucie (the choreographer) and the models.
 I said:
"make sure it's luxury, you know, DVD player, reclining seats: oh and by the
way how long does it take?"
"26 hours."
"What! Ok!" Sigh.
We had to be there it was a Gala Show at Cosmoprof and it was Alfaparf's 30th
anniversary sit down dinner for 2,500!
Instead of our luxury coach, a yellow school bus arrived...and we were off!
Viv, Neil and Sarah took the Eurostar to Paris, a coach to somewhere else and
then a train to Bologna.
The rest... it was an overnight ride on the yellow bus! But, we all got there
in the end!
 The show
and seminars were a sell out and completely worth the effort. We then had to get
home.
We also had to be in Montpellier for another show the following weekend.
So 8 of the team set off to Calais in taxis. Yes taxis from Bologna. While myself
and a team of 6, started thinking that we could easily get a train to the South
of France. Until of course the French train drivers went on strike!
There were then officially no coaches or any means of transport in Europe available
until on Thursday night. In a random bar in Italy I meet a guy with an 8 seated
Mercedes mini bus. We left Montpellier 8am Friday morning and arrived 8pm Friday
night - the casting is 9am Saturday morning.
Metamorphose show was done and we flew back on time, in fact early on Monday,
as though nothing had ever happened.
The show must go on!!!
P.S Of course I have missed out the anguish, the laughs and the dinners and the
late bars... but as you know, what goes on tour.... stays on tour.
P.P.S Before I left Ri, my wife, had thought this year we should drive to Italy
for a holiday. Ahhhhhh! But then with the re-surge of the cloud who knows...."
Richard Thompson
MAHOGANY TRENDS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Always ahead of the latest trends, Richard with his flair for maintaining understated
individuality and excellence, is perfectly attuned to interpreting high fashion,
directional runway trend from the catwalk to the salon floor.
Already he's looking ahead to the Autumn/Winter 2010 trends and says:
"In the fashion world, there is a return to neoclassicism. So this means high-quality,
immaculate trophy pieces and beautifully cut and coloured hair. This direction
is then complimented with fun, frivolous accessories. For hair, stunning curls,
waves and height."
Loose and Textured
As opposed to the neoclassicism look, the other major trend of the season is to
go 'understated'. This low-maintenance style has lots of texture and movement
and it neutralizes structured styles - a great match for this season's foray into
grunge.
How-to: Use a texturising styler on wet hair - giving the hair a 'sea-breeze
effect' - free, wild texture. It can be sprayed into the roots for lift or all
over the hair for the full effect. Rough dry and then finish by spraying in some
more texturiser. Having long layers, loosely cut is the key to getting the best
out of this look.
 
Unkempt Hair
It is time to lock away the shampoo and hairbrush! The grunge look of the early
90's is in full swing, with greasy roots and unbrushed bed-hair.
How-to:
For a matte, unkempt look, use a dry shampoo as washing will only separate the
strands of hair - follow with a high-hold styling product, to create matte volume
and texture. Tip your head upside down and apply to the roots, mid lengths and
then the ends. Massage the roots with your fingers and flip back, allow the hair
to fall back down by itself. This will separate the hair, mattify it and keep
it in place.
 Fishtail
Plait
The plait has been modified for A/W, following the summer's penchant for wide,
graduated plaits; the fishtail unveils as the latest plait trend. This one is
tight and centred, whilst still retaining a sense of imperfection with loose bits
and a little frizz.
How-to:
Split the hair into 2 sections in your hands, pull the outside of one of the sections
into the opposite panel, then pull a slice of that section into the first panel.
Continue with this movement until you reach the ends of the hair, tie with elastic
then loosen and distress the plait with fingers.
 Big
and Round
Crimped, teased and backcombed; this look is wild with a sense of romance - the
essence of neoclassicism.
How-to:
Apply a curl defining lotion which provides maximum definition with medium hold,
to wet hair and rough dry, then curl with GHDs, back brush and add more defining
lotion to control the waves at the roots. Fix in place with a strong spray for
hold.
Sixties Backcomb
Reminiscent of the sixties film Hairspray, hair is high - the higher, the
better!
How-to:
Blow dry the hair upside down using volumiser products smoothed through the hair,
gain as much root lift as possible, then back brush leaving 1½ inches around the
outline. Spray with hairspray.
For a chignon, dress this outline length around the head, pin and secure into
the nape and add hair from the back brushing into the pins to maintain height.
 Dark
and sleek Bobs
As opposed to the many unkempt styles taking prominence, the intense, dark bob
with blunt fringe is a dramatic alternative.
How-to:
This look is all about line, colour and shine. The hair should be cut into a bob
and the length of the bob should very much depend on the face shape. Longer faces
are flattered by lengths at the jaw; rounder, wider faces suit lengths nearer
the shoulders. They can be worn smooth or set for texture. The new Mahogany 3
month blow dry system is brilliant at smoothing and softening the hair for ease
and shine. Bobs need precision cutting - Mahogany's trademark, and the perfect
oil on water black colour (a Mahogany hairdressing invention) or a Translucent
black, which creates depth without heaviness.
Click
here to see more styles in the Mahogany Gallery
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Article by Heather Bell.
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