Johanna Cree Brown shares her journey from her teenage hairdressing years in Scotland to London Fashion Week...
What has been your career journey?
I started hairdressing at the age of 17 in Glasgow. Initially, I worked for the Rainbow Room in Scotland and then I moved to work for Trevor Sorbie. I've done lots of roles from educator to being Art Director and at the moment I'm doing a lot of fashion work.
Did you always want to do hair?
I wanted to go to art school – I went to do a foundation course after school which was art, photography, and there was a hair and make-up session in it as well. The minute I started doing the hair, I loved it, and I thought I could combine creativity and a career.
What do you do in your role as Creative Director of Special Projects at Trevor Sorbie?
It usually covers fashion, but it depends – it either comes from the company or it comes from me. If I have an exciting project that would be good for Trevor Sorbie, then that's what we do. The last one I did was the Mithridate show at London Fashion Week, I've done the L'Oréal Colour Trophy, a huge show for Fyodor and they're having a retrospective of their work in Latvia, so I've just created some more wigs for that.
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from everywhere – I'm constantly working with new people. You have to be aware of what's happening, whether it's politically or what's been happening on the streets. Social media can give some sort of inspiration, but going to galleries and exhibitions, working with a vast array of people and always collaborating is the best way for inspiration.
What advice would you give to those looking to get into the fashion industry?
Assist as many great people as you can find that relate to your aesthetic and where you would like to be. So, if you're wanting to work for a fashion brand or a magazine, see who's working in that world and try and assist. You learn so much, and you also get to grow up and share your journey with the other assistants working with photographers, or lighting, or make-up, working their way forward.
What's next for Johanna?
Fashion Week is the next big one! I have a few projects between now and then – a couple of editorials and a small fashion show, but the main one is London Fashion Week in September for SS25.
1995: Promoted to Photographic Image Director for RRI
2006: Became Art Director at Trevor Sorbie
2010: First fashion collaboration with L'Oréal Professionnel Paris and David Koma
2022: Designed wigs for Labrum London AW22 LFW show
