This is an interview was done for Street Style magazine
and executed entirely via facebook chat.
www.stylestreet.com.au
Meet Andrew Iacuone
Jean-Paul
Hey, how’s it going?
Andrew
I'm Feeling pretty cool, just chillin in ma casa!!
Jean-Paul
Cool, so you’re a busy man to catch these days, so business must be good?
Andrew
Business is pretty cool! All is good on that front.
Jean-Paul
Where are you working at the moment?
Andrew
I'm working outta Momac in St Kilda.
www.momac.com.au
Jean-Paul
I see
So I first met you when you were 19? Is that right?
Andrew
Damn straight! A sparkly eyed youngster.
Jean-Paul
So when did you start as a hairdresser?
Andrew
I was 14 Years Old. I Started at Toorak rd in Sth Yarra. At a good old place called Rok Studio!
Jean-Paul
14! That’s young... What was your first impression of ROK?
Andrew
Well I initially started as Boy Saturday, and went from there. Rok was a dynamic space as I remember it. Full of Bravado and a real passion for Hair. I loved it. A tough gig though.
Jean-Paul
And what were your duties there as a 14 yr old?
Andrew
Well. I made the best cafe' in town. Well at least that's what I told them. And I took care of the clients and the salon in general.
Jean-Paul
That's so cool. So they took you under their wing...so to speak?
Andrew
Absolutely... or they threw you out of the nest! It was Pretty straight forward. I learned some great stuff in there.
Jean-Paul
So then, why hairdressing? Was that something the young Andrew got into or...?
Andrew
Yeah I loved Fashion and did a stint at Dangerfield (which is a local fashion shop here in Australia). I didn't much like working in the rag trade though. But could see a lot of the same kinds of kids working in the hair game. So I gave it a shot. And felt at home straight up. I've never looked back since!
Jean-Paul
Okay. So then I met you again in London 2001, where did you work there?
Andrew
I was working for Aveda at that time.
They had a cracker of a shop in Knotting hill. I was based there!
Jean-Paul
That's right. It feels like a lifetime ago.
I remember thinking that London was the "Mecca" of hairdressing. And that I was going to learn so much.
What did you learn from London as a hairdresser?
Andrew
Well. To be honest, I remember feeling much the same. I was full of excitement and was quite overwhelmed at first. But soon came to realize that we Melbourne Haircutters rated pretty highly over there. I learned that "Hair is hair". And if you love it and your passionate about it then. You can be just as good no matter where you’re.
Jean-Paul
Yes. I got that too. I also thought that the haircuts walking down every High street was all looked the same. Like everywhere you went the kids had the same haircut.
And that every haircut had a name attached.... The beckham or The fin etc
We just don't do that in Melbourne
Andrew
Absolutely!
It’s kind of Naff really. Like Sydney in that, if they clock it in a magazine or in the street.
They want to roll just like that. We don't roll like that in Melbourne!!
Jean-Paul
So I heard a rumor that you have worked in 16 different salons in as many years... Is that true?
Andrew
Who knows man? I never counted them in my younger days. Maybe? I walked my walk.
Jean-Paul
So it's true or not?
We're not talking lovers here...We are talking Hairdressing Salons
Andrew
I don't Kiss and tell.
Now you got me thinking and counting. I’d say your Bang on.
Well actually, maybe a few less. .
Jean-Paul
16 is a lot of salons, I can imagine what the people reading this would be thinking. Have you got anything to say to them out there?
Andrew
Yeah that’s a sticky question. On paper it doesn’t look good. I guess I was ruthless in my pursuit of knowledge. And my passion for learning took me far and wide. Great for me though. Perhaps. A pity I couldn't learn all that in one place. But all that’s behind me now.
Jean-Paul
So are there any hairdressers that you worked with that you admire?
Andrew
From time to time I came a cross some very talented and passionate people. A young man called Jean-Paul springs to mind! .
Jean-Paul
AHHHH Shucks, You’re making me blush. Anybody else?
Andrew
Martyn Gayle @ Aveda is a genius.
Nicolas Jurnjak in Sydney
Guido Palau is a god, I passed him a pin once. I was peeking and freaking all day!
Jean-Paul
Okay, now a tough one, are you ready?
Andrew
I'm scared.
Jean-Paul
What are the biggest problems facing apprentice hairdressers today?
Andrew
I feel that most salons around the country seriously lack dedication to education and training " Inn House". And that most certainly doesn’t help young kids who are already doing a shorter apprenticeship of 3 years. These two things are the biggest challenges in my view.
Jean-Paul
So tell me your top 10 products/tools?
Andrew
So I had a little look in my kit and have come to realize that I actually roll fairly light these days. I have quite a few things I like to work with but find I like tend to change it in accordance with the direction of my work or the particular brief I'm working with..
I really do like the following products and use them a fair bit..
Strong hold styling gel (Kiehls)
Volumizing tonic (Aveda)
Hair Resort (K.Murphy)
Easy Rider (K.Murphy)
Session Spray (K.Muphy)
Prep (Bumble+Bumble)
Re Do (johnathan Product)
Pli (Loreal)
Holding Spray (Bumble+Bumble)
Brilliantine (Bumble+Bumble)
www.jonathanproduct.com
www.kevinmurphy.com.au
www.bumbleandbumble.com
www.aveda.com.au
www.kiehls.com
As far as styling tools are concerned. I love Blowdrying Hair! So I have lot's of different brushes.. Round brushes, square brushes, Nanna brushes. I also carry a few different mason pearson brushes. yet again in differen't sizes!
I do use quite a few different kinds of Irons. I always have at least 3 different diameter curling irons. I have a really hot Hairdryer being a Parlux and I also carry around three different irons form GHD, being Slim, Thin and thick! But a big favourite would be the 3 Prong tong!
Jean-Paul
Fantastic. So how can we get in contact with you...?
Facebook, mobile number, email address?
Andrew
I generally recieve all of my work through referral. So basically word of mouth. Facebook has been a revolution though!
Momac Hairsressing
www.momac.com.au
www.momac.com.au
120 Carlisle St
St. Kilda 3182
03 95342108
Jean-Paul
Has websites helped, such as
www.myhairdressersearch.com
Andrew
www.myhairdressersearch.com has been an interesting utility as has Facebook. It has definately created an avenue for people to go down should they wish to pursue you! All they need do is google your name or details about you, and you'll show up on screen!
Jean-Paul
What advice would you give to young apprentices?
Andrew
My advice to young apprentices is very simple. It is extremely important that you work for an organization that has a real focus on education and is dedicated to NURTURING, EDUCATING AND CULTIVATING Its people. Much like any company, the success of a hair shop is dependant on its people. So if the right structure and focus is in place, you'll have every opportunity to succeed. Having said that, what an individual puts in is what they'll ultimately get back. So if the dedication is there and within the right structure. The only way is up.
Jean-Paul
Has websites helped, such as
www.myhairdressersearch.com
Andrew
www.myhairdressersearch.com has been an interesting utility as has Facebook. It has definately created an avenue for people to go down should they wish to pursue you! All they need do is google your name or details about you, and you'll show up on screen!
Jean-Paul
What advice would you give to young apprentices?
Andrew
My advice to young apprentices is very simple. It is extremely important that you work for an organization that has a real focus on education and is dedicated to NURTURING, EDUCATING AND CULTIVATING Its people. Much like any company, the success of a hair shop is dependant on its people. So if the right structure and focus is in place, you'll have every opportunity to succeed. Having said that, what an individual puts in is what they'll ultimately get back. So if the dedication is there and within the right structure. The only way is up.
