Perth stylist makes mark Down Under

Apr 20 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

TOP hairdresser John Gillespie’s latest international travels have taken him Down Under.

And now his cutting-edge styles will be profiled across Australia and New Zealand.

John, who famously coiffured stars at the MTV awards in Edinburgh, is an ambassador for L’Oreal Professional and was selected as their European flag-flyer to make for Melbourne to profile a “Sweet Rebellion” theme for 2010.

Every month last year he was off to Paris on assignments and in another packed itinerary, the 41-year-old family man is counting down to Amsterdam and San Diego trips, between appointments at his salon in Perth’s St John Street.

It’s all a far cry from the days when John started out in the industry as a raw teenager sweeping floors, washing hair and making cups of coffee.

He said: “I’ve been to Australia on a working assignment before but this was something special.

“I’m a member of L’Oreal’s H3 International Creation Team and last year we were charged with coming up with styles for men and women under the banner ‘Sweet Rebellion’.

“L’Oreal research had pinpointed iconic figures, including Barack Obama, personalities and fashions as they identified global trends.

“Ultimately, the company is expecting to reach 150,000 hairdressers in Australia and New Zealand as their top local ambassadors filter down the styles.

“I was demonstrating, step-by-step, how to cut and care for the styles we had created in Europe.

“It was very up-close and personal, and totally different from the big fashion and hairdressing shows I’ve done.

“Nowadays, clients want to be able to maintain and maybe tweak a look. They want versatility and product advice to recreate the style at home.

“It has been a really exciting challenge. The facilities at the L’Oreal Academy in Melbourne were impressive.

“It was a huge buzz being invited to represent the European team and we’ve had great feedback.

“Scotland enjoys a great reputation in world hairdressing. We have produced a number of top stylists down the years.

“Fellow stylists tend to be surprised I’m not working in Glasgow or Edinburgh but I like to think I’m flying the flag for Perth when I’m at these events.

“I was in Athens for the Greek launch and also Rome, with translations going on in four languages.”

It was precisely 25 years ago that John began with the family firm locally, although his early career saw him farmed out to Vidal Sassoon in London and Charlie Miller in Edinburgh.

“That grounding was important to me. I did the whole bit, just like any other apprentice. It gives you a grasp on every aspect of a working salon,” he reflected.