Five minutes with: chad maxwell

ghd recently bid farewell to their first batch of graduates undertaking the revolutionary Graduate Styling Programme. The brainchild of  Zoe Irwin, the Graduate Styling Programme was developed to to take stylists further with their skills, knowledge and confidence in all things styling. From the fast paced world of session work to classic bridal techniques, modules are bespoke, allowing students to indulge in the world of dressing hair according to personal skill and interest. We caught up with recent graduate, Chad Maxwell, to find out what he loved about the course and why the ghd Styling Programme is an opportunity not to be missed. Tell us a bit about your background in hairdressing? I currently work at Elajé Hair and Beauty in Cambridge where I have been for two and a half years, building a strong clientele and working with an incredible team. I started hairdressing just under 6 years ago and was assisting on my first London Fashion Week show (Moschino) when I was 16 and have completed nine seasons since. I’ve worked at the Cannes Film Festival, been a member of the ghd Style Squad and of course got my ghd Graduate Styling degree. How did you find out about the Graduate Styling Programme & what attracted you to applying? I found out about the Graduate Styling Programme through ghd. I was fortunate enough to be on the style squad and keep quite up to date with things that are up and coming in the industry so when Jo Robertson (Head of Global Education) and Zoe Irwin told me about the styling degree, it was all I wanted and when Jo offered me a place of course I accepted. What were your favourite parts of the course? My favourite parts...umm all of it! But if I had to pick my favourite modules that weren't mandatory, they would be Fashion Editorial with Zoe Irwin and Express Styling with Leigh-Anne Reagan. Zoe brought so much to the course, my passion is fashion and fashion knowledge and she covered EVERYTHING. From trend spotting and why trends happen to how to make fringes and what should be in your kit bag, even what a call sheet looks like, the list goes on and on. Leigh-Anne was also an incredible mentor, the things she has achieved and her personal development inspires me, so to be lead by her was an honour. What would be your advice to anyone who is interested in doing the course and why would you recommend them to? I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Of course it's a great way to get into the session industry and gain knowledge, but even if that's not your thing, it's still great experience to use in the salon. Clients always remember how you styled them and appreciate it. These days, level of finish is a big factor and what brings back and boosts retention. What’s the most important thing you will take from the course? I have two. Number one is never to panic anymore, if someone wants the impossible make it possible, the range of ways to style hair and put it up is incredible, so there's always an option. The other is; knowledge is key.  Zoe Irwin talked us through a lot of theory and I think if you want to be in the fashion industry, you need to know the history. People have skill but not always knowledge and this teaches you both! How does this course translate back into salon work? With regards to salon work, I am now educating the team in styling and blow drying. As a professional, my session career has been boosted once again which gives the salon a unique selling point in a city full of salons and of course boosts my client retention. Clients and team members are constantly impressed with my knowledge and want to know more. I feel I can achieve more than ever with regards to finishing and the biggest thing however is time – I have learnt how to work under the pressure of strict timings. This means I can comfortably fit more in the salon and boost my column. Knowledge, confidence, power, skill, client retention and boost in figures - what more could you ask for from a styling degree? See more stories like this in our Future Talent Section.