A Bite of the Big Apple
by Jayne Howarth
Award-winning Bad Apple Hair took on the Big Apple this autumn when it made its debut at New York Fashion Week. Aid, the Group’s Creative Director, was the only UK hairdresser to be invited by TIGI to style some of the hottest catwalk looks to complement the newest looks by top designers Mara Hoffman, Chris Benz, Mark Fast and Maisonette 1977.
Business partner Daniel Torres and Aid jetted to Manhattan after Nick Irwin, TIGI’s International Creative Director, personally invited them to join his highly talented team for the September spectacle, which kicked off the fashion week season.
It was the first of a whirlwind few weeks for independent salon Bad Apple Hair, which was subsequently asked by Nick to assist the creative team at both Paris and London fashion weeks.
“It was a huge honour to be selected by Nick to join the TIGI team in New York and is a testament to the great work the team does,” says Aid.
“It was incredibly hard work, but not only did we get more valuable experience in the world of catwalk styling with one of the biggest names in the hairdressing world, we were also able to prove what talented creatives we have here at Bad Apple Hair.”
Aid’s artistic and technical talents were used to full effect when he helped to style up to 30 models per show using TIGI’s CATWALK range of hair styling products, while Daniel was quickly recruited by Nick to assist him organising the models backstage.
Not only did Aid do a fantastic job, completing technically challenging styles quickly and under pressure, he also met an old friend and former colleague Paul Hanlon – the Birmingham-born hairdresser who is now an in-demand session stylist across the globe for such names as American Vogue, Calvin Klein and Dior.
“It was an amazing experience and we learned so much,” says Aid.
“Just as important for us is the fact that everything we learned over there we have passed on to the team here at Bad Apple Hair and it is really inspiring the team in Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.
“Creative hair styling for shows and photoshoots is so different from what we do every day, so taking this new direction is exciting for us all.”
Nick Irwin was so impressed with Bad Apple Hair’s work in New York that he asked them to join his elite teams for both London and Paris fashion weeks.
Four stylists from Bad Apple Hair’s Birmingham city centre salon and Michaela, the franchisee from Sutton Coldfield, joined Aid to style models for the prestigious Jaeger runway show at Somerset House.
They also tended the locks for models at Kristian Aadnevik, a protégé of Donatella Versace who counts Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole among his fans, whose avant garde show was held at a sumptuous gentleman’s club in Pall Mall.
Shortly afterwards, Bad Apple’s Rob, who joined the company just a few months ago, was selected by Aid and Daniel to join Marco Lafrate and Maria Kovacs, of the TIGI creative team, for the Paris Fashion Week. There, he assisted at the Pam Hogg runway show, whose unique punk/glamour designs are worn by Lady Gaga, Kate Moss and Rihanna. Even Vivienne Westwood, the doyenne of British fashion, came backstage to wish the Scottish-born designer good luck for her show.
“It’s been an amazing few months for Bad Apple,” says Daniel.
“Doing these shows has confirmed once again that we have some fantastic talent here and the team is learning all the time from those colleagues who have had the chance to experience the buzz of the fashion weeks.
“And, of course, this can only be good for our customers, who rightly expect the best when they come to Bad Apple.”
Clients’ expectations have always been high and for Daniel, excellent customer care is always at the top of the agenda.
The catwalk experience has meant that all the stylists at both the Burlington Arcade and the Sutton Coldfield salons have been able to access some of the most up-to-date styling techniques around. But, assures Daniel, customers with more conservative tastes need not worry.
“Just because we are doing more fashion shows doesn’t mean that our customers will all end up with outlandish hair,” says Daniel.
“Our approach remains exactly the same: if you want a classic cut or a more cutting-edge style, Bad Apple will help you to choose the right cut for you and your lifestyle.
“Whatever you choose, though, it will be catwalk quality.”
And with Bad Apple’s five-step consultation every time you visit, you can be assured that you will get the right hairstyle for you.
For more information about Bad Apple Hair - or to book an appointment online - visit www.badapplehair.com or telephone 0121 633 0633.
Burlington Arcade, New Street, Birmingham B2 4JQ Tel: 0121 633 0633
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