How Hairstylist and Salon Owner Sam Bell Created Her Hair Collection, Pattern Theory

Published 20th Jan 2026 by Aobh O'Brien-Moody

Sam Bell is a hairstylist and the owner of Hair at 58, an award-winning Aveda Concept Salon in Bristol. Here, she unpacks one of her favourite collections that she's undertaken, called Pattern Theory.

What do you love about this collection?

I love how this collection sits between hair and art. What excited me was the creative freedom. It reflects my love for detail and design. This collection represents where technique meets creativity. Seeing hair transformed into something sculptural and fabric-like was rewarding.

What was the inspiration for the hair?

I worked on a show at London Fashion Week last year and the designer gave me a brief to make the hair match the fabric of her clothes. That was super exciting to execute! I loved the idea of textile artistry and pattern design. I was drawn to the way fabrics use repetition, contrast, and structure to create impact, and I wanted to translate that into hair. Using only blonde and black allowed me to focus on form, pattern, and texture.

How did you go about setting up the shoot?

I always create separate moodboards for hair, make-up, styling and poses. Next, I found models that worked with the hair needs and my budget. I used a mix of agency models and freelancers. I spent months perfecting the colouring techniques as it was very technically challenging. I developed a tie-dying technique for one of the looks, and it took hours to tie all the bands!

Did anything go wrong or surprise you on the day?

I only had myself and one other stylist, Tony, to do hair which made it quite full on, but with a team of amazing assistants supporting us we did it, and everyone had a great day. As with any creative shoot, there were moments where adjustments had to be made, although these moments often led to unexpected results that enhanced the final images. You need to be open to things changing on the day and just going with it, that’s when the magic happens!

Do you have a significant memory from the day?

There was a point in the shoot where I took a minute, stood back, and watched my entire team from Hair at 58, all working really hard but laughing and having fun whilst helping me bring my vision to life. I felt immensely proud, and it put a massive smile on my face. It’s all about the teamwork, nothing beats the feeling of creating something beautiful together.