Growing up in a hairdressing dynasty - the next gen

How does it feel to grow up in a hairdressing dynasty? We spoke to three of the biggest names in the industry as well as the next generation of hairdressers about what it's like to follow in your parent's foot steps...

Beverly C and Jordanna Cobella

Beverly C is one of the most successful and respected hairdressers of her generation. She has been crowned HJ’s British Hairdresser of the Year twice, and is a familiar face educating and presenting around the world. “My first taste of hair was when I was just 14 years old working as an assistant on a Saturday. I loved the atmosphere, the creativity and it was great fun. But I never thought that it would lead to the career that I have now. I have been in this amazing industry for 35 years and I still love every minute of every day I spend either teaching, presenting or working in the salon. All three of my girls were, by default, surrounded by ‘hair’ talk ; shows, shoots, business decisions, and watched both parents immersed within the industry. None of them showed an interest in hairdressing, but Jordanna did pick up the scissors occasionally and decided to have a go when she was 11. Natasha, Jordanna and Alex have all spent time helping their dad, Anestis, on a business level, but Jordanna was the one who fell in love with the industry and made the decision to join the company with a view to taking over the Cobella business in the future. Jordanna has learned so much about the business from her dad and I concentrated on the creative side. We work closely together in all areas and it has been an amazing journey and I am in awe of her energy, her passion and what she has achieved. Jordanna has always said she has big shoes to fill - but she is her own person and will develop in her own way. For me, pressure is a good motivation. Success and achievement comes hand in hand with pressure – it’s how you cope or use the pressure that’s important.” Jordanna Cobella cut her first head of hair at the age of 11 and has never looked back! “I always knew I wanted to do something creative and social. After completing a law degree, the urge to join the creative world was not going to subside so I listened to my heart. I was initially attracted to the show reels, show productions, hair shoots and competition work that I grew up seeing from my parents. But the most rewarding and attractive part of hairdressing has got to be the impact you can have on a client both physically and emotionally with your skill. I thrive off bringing the best out in people and I thoroughly enjoy meeting new characters and building trustful relationships with them. My mum is one in a million. The first lesson she taught me when we were training was that education is a gift, a gift that should be shared. Whether my mum is teaching me, a roomful of educators, a beginner’s cutting course, foreign student class or an evening for clients, she gives more than anyone I know. The way in which she shares her secret recipes for success, her top tips and tricks for techniques is so admirable, thorough and delivered with such eloquence and modesty. I certainly have huge shoes to fill! Her achievements are just phenomenal. Of course, there are pressures on me to keep up, deliver, achieve and contribute to the industry just a tenth of what she has. I want to make a mark in our industry particularly for education, training and keeping up the standards my mother and her peers have worked so hard to raise. Competition and pressures are a healthy part of dreaming, believing and chasing success as long as you enjoy each step of the way.”

Errol Douglas and Yolanda Douglas

Errol Douglas has been hairdressing for almost 40 years and has won numerous accolades, as well as being nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year a staggering 22 times. He owns an eponymous salon in Knightsbridge, London. Hairdressing has always been a big part of my life – it’s more than a job, it’s a vocation. My children were around when I was building my business and when they were small would regularly travel with me to shows around the country, such as The Clothes Show and the National Wedding Show. They got to know my team and other hairdressers really well. So I suppose it was no surprise when Yolanda said she would like to join the business – I was overjoyed. Colour products and technology are ever-evolving and so sophisticated, it’s the perfect market for a young hairdresser. Yolanda is really adventurous when it comes to colour so watch this space! It’s hard starting out on any career, and I have told her to find a good mentor and research as much as she can. She has to keep her eye on the new trends, get as much education as she can and try to come up with a technique of her own. She will make her own pressures – her only pressure from me and the industry is that she doesn’t fall under my shadow and makes sure there is a difference between us.” The oldest of three children, Yolanda started hairdressing over two years ago, but has been doing hair for as long as she can remember. “I’ve always been passionate about what my dad does, so knew I would end up following him into hairdressing one day. It’s such a creative industry and brings so much joy to people – I like making people feel good about themselves so this was the obvious career choice. However, it wasn’t until I started hairdressing I realised how big the industry was and how technical it is. Growing up, I watched my dad travel the world and hear about his passion for the craft. I have always admired his creativity, drive and determination to stick to trends and promote hairdressing on a global level. He works incredibly hard but I had no idea how well known and respected he was. Following in his footsteps will be a blessing and hindrance – I feel like I need to constantly prove myself and make a name for myself not just as Errol Douglas’s daughter, especially in the workplace. I have a lot to live up to but I love that I am recognised as Errol’s daughter – he inspires so many people, including me.”

Anthony Mascolo and Joshua Mascolo

Anthony Mascolo is synonymous with cutting-edge, fashion-forward hair. He started hairdressing when he was 12 years old and was qualified by the time he left school, having worked with his dad and brother Bruno. “I started my career a long time ago in the Toni & Guy salon in Streatham, London, where my dad and my brother Bruno worked. Bruno was always my mentor and used to take me with him on photoshoots. I learnt from the best. And I believe this was the same for Joshua. He would come and hang-out in the Bed Head Studio after school. It was a different business but it still showed him why we love what we do. He would also come backstage at shows we did, even overseas we always tried to take the kids as much as possible. This meant they got to know our extended team of photographers, film-makers, models and stylists. He could have chosen any career but as he went through his teens he became more and more keen to be a hairdresser. He’s our only child to come into the industry, our other two are creative in other ways. As soon as he said he wanted to be a hairdresser, Pat started teaching him all the basic skills at home and it was great to see him learn so quickly. Students at the TIGI Academy don’t always know who he is which I think is good. You should gain your respect from being fantastic at what you do, not who you are. Of course, being my son has expectations, but I don’t think that’s put a pressure on him. He’s his own person and his own abilities will allow him to progress. Because he’s my son, I’m able to give him opportunities, like working in the USA or coming with me on international shows, but he’s ultimately got to make his own success.” Joshua Mascolo started hairdressing as soon as he left school and is now working full-time with TIGI. “My parents gave me the option to stay in education or to leave and study hairdressing – it was a no brainer. I had grown up watching them and their friends having so much fun, working hard but enjoying their life and that was something I wanted to do as well. Being around hairdressing was a big part of my upbringing and definitely influenced me to want to be part of what they do. I admire lots of things about my dad – his attitude, how humble he is, his sheer skill and rawness. But mainly I admire how people around him look up to him. Being his son brings certain pressures; there’s the expectation for you to become the one you are pressured to be. My dad has always brought me up to be my own person and not just follow and copy what he’s done. However, I think in this case I feel that I have something to prove, not just to other people but to myself.” This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Hairdressers Journal, and was written by Ruth Hunsley