An icon answers: antoinette beenders

Gemma Hensman from Hensmans Northampton, puts five questions to her hairdressing icon Antoinette Beenders.

Out of all the fantastic collections you have created, do you have a favourite?I like the collection I did for my last HJ's British Hairdressing Awards entry as I thought it was a strong shoot and different from what we have been seeing. I am also very pleased with the Aveda spring/summer collection that is coming out in Berlin in April; it is all very transparent and on-trend. Where do you get your inspiration from to create images for photo shoots? It depends what it is for. When I do my HJ's British Hairdressing Awards shoots I have complete creative freedom and I try to push my ideas as much as I can. I like looking at fabrics as well as different shapes. I spend time in galleries and I travel a lot so I am like a sponge and suck up all that I see! When I shoot for advertising or editorial I have to shoot to a brief, but I still like to push the boundaries. How long does it take to prepare for HJ's British Hairdressing Awards photo shoot?It depends on what time I have available. It can take anything from three weeks to three months from start to finish.You travel regularly; do you have a favourite destination?My favourite destination for inspiration at the moment is Katmandu in Nepal as it has the most fascinating people there. For fashion, I like London and Paris.What's the best advice you have ever been given? Keep it simple and concentrate on one thing at a time. When you are photographing hair, don't go over-the-top on make-up and styling, as this will distract from the hair. A photographer once told me 'simplicity speaks volumes' and it's true.