Session styling: matthew curtis's top tips for landing catwalk work

Session styling is one of the most-wanted jobs in hairdressing - but how do you go from salon stylist to working backstage at catwalk shows across the globe? Matthew Curtis is a session stylist, celebrity and television hairdresser. Matthew is the lead stylists for 12 shows at New York Fashion Week over the Autumn/Winter 2014. Here he shares his top ten tips on being a session stylist: How do you get into session styling? You have to start at the bottom – assisting and putting yourself out there. Build relationships with the designers, their PRs, show producers and of course other session stylists. You should be surrounding yourself with people who are able to help you progress in your career. How do you stay in the world of session work? The end goal is to head up your own shows. You need to build those relationships from the early stages – look to new designers so you can grow together. Be known for delivering outstanding hair, listening to the brief and doing what is asked. I’m always serious during the shows but I relax afterwards and network with the creative team – you need to get that balance of professionalism and fun to succeed. How do you build your contacts? You have to be proactive; make sure you know your goals and then work at them. Speak to your peers and network so you can build your brand and fashion contacts. You need confidence to push yourself and to negotiate what is needed, whether that’s a brand link, team assistance, or to lead your own show. Networking is vital in this sector. What does being a session stylist involve? A lot! The lead up to the shows is intense – you have to be researching trends, preparing for not only the looks but the team, the sponsorships, what brands will work with you, your team, the designer, then it’s a matter of communicating with the designer and show producers – being based in the UK and leading in NY means I need to have good contacts over there, working with me all the time. Is it hard work? It can be but it’s essential to have a good team around you. It’s important to have someone who will help you to coordinate – whether that’s an agent or a manager, you do need help if you’re heading up multiple shows. It’s also key to have the right people on your team – people who can style long hair, others who can do hair up, wigs etc. It’s hard work right the way through as you’re not only do the shows but organising the tests and scheduling the all the shows. Delegation is vital so you can then focus on the vital areas. How do you keep the relationships you have? It’s an ongoing focus – fashion week isn’t just about that show, it’s a yearlong relationship. So, whether it’s the designer, PR, show producer or your hair team, ensure that you are constantly in touch. The great thing about social media is that it’s so much easier to keep everyone front of mind, no matter where you are in the world. How you juggle working in the salon and being a session stylist? You have to have a good team around you – for both the salon and session. I’ve got a great salon manager and I know they are representing the salon just as well in my absence as I am when I’m there. I probably cut hair in the salon two days a week now. The other days I’m in meetings, shooting, on shows, developing projects, building relations and networking. How does session styling work financially? It’s a process really. The beginning is very much about assisting for no fee and really working to gain your contacts. You’d then progress to being a paid assistant – probably really covering your expenses but this helps with your confidence and your value in the team. You’d then be looking to progress to a first team where you can then expect better fees and then, when you start to lead, there is the opportunity to build brand links and sponsorships that can help with the years of dedication to your session craft. Ultimately it’s not really about the financial element – it’s the love of the craft. How do you get an agent? Like anything it’s a process - and a slow process - where you need to develop a good relationship with them. An agent is keen to work with you and help develop you and be recognised as a brand. Start with looking at the type of agency you want to work with, the type of work you want to do ie shoots, shows, commercial, film etc. Keep in contact with the agency and offer your assistance to work with their named stylists. You’ll start to get more and more work as you put yourself ‘out there’. It’s important that you and your agent are on the same page and they are developing you in the area you want to move into. How do you keep profile in the media? Working with brands enables you to reach a wider audience and social media is a vital link in keeping your front of mind. Your peers, customers, followers will help create your name through social media. Considering a PR will also help to keep your profile active and seen in the right publications and medium.