I originally trained at Vidal Sassoon salon in Sloane Square. I trained for 4 years and during my training I had to complete at least 3 models per week. To obtain these models, I used to stand outside Sloane Square station after work and ask people if they would like to receive a free haircut! If they agreed, I used to march them straight back to the salon or book them in for another model evening.

This was actually hard work as sometimes I would be approaching many people for over an hour and this was all done after work come rain or shine!

I found it quite a challenge as I had to approach people with good hair and also with good bone structure. You may be asking “if it’s just for a model (where I’ll be learning and improving my cuts under my  teacher’s instructions), why would they need a good bone structure?” The answer is simple! Whilst I was training, I treated almost every model as a potential photo shoot, so firstly I would have to do a great cut so my teacher would be impressed, then, I would ask the hair model if I could style her hair again on a different occasion for a photo shoot.

I have always remembered my first few shoots, as I had put so much work into making them happen and being an apprentice I had zero budget!

I think even back then when I was training, hairdressing was one of the most exciting industries around and to be fair all these years later, it still is!!