Few stories truly surprise seasoned stylists. Yet it's still shocking to hear how often women are erased from the narratives that have shaped the world we live in. The hairstyling sphere is no exception to this injustice, especially when it comes to the origin of the ceramic hair straightener.
Susan Powls, co-founder and Honorary Chair of Cloud Nine, has this year returned to the front and centre of the industry to reclaim her legacy as a pioneer of kinder hairstyling.
In 2009, only three years after stepping away from ghd – the business she co-founded in her 50s after a long-standing and successful career as a stylist – Susan endeavoured to tackle a new challenge in the industry.
Knowing the problems caused by heat damage and the standardised styling temperatures found within other straighteners, Susan persisted in her ambition to create styling tools unlike any other on the market. Tools that could adapt to everyone’s hair, making it both look and feel healthier no matter it’s type.
Then came Cloud Nine, co-launched by Susan and her two sons, Martin and Gavin. This move marked the start of a new era for DIY and professional stylists alike, with the brand’s manifesto firmly rooted in promoting world-first technology and hair health.
Since then, Susan’s unwavering commitment to creating a kinder way to style has inspired a global community of stylists and continues to influence a new generation of female entrepreneurs looking to bring something new to the plate.
From having her role in ghd’s history omitted from the history books to becoming the driving force behind Cloud Nine’s kinder approach to hairstyling, Susan’s story is one of courage, determination, and strength, showing us that it’s never too late to start again and introduce something kinder to the world.
Read Susan’s full story here.
