Hairdressing icons: patrick cameron

Perhaps best known for his expertise with long hair and flair for innovative updo's, Patrick Cameron is arguably the industry's greatest showman with a self-confessed love of glamour.

Born in New Zealand, Patrick trained with Lyndsay Loveridge in his hometown of New Plymouth - the woman he still calls his mentor and biggest inspiration. 

Looking for more experience, Patrick moved to London in 1987 where he started a career much like any other hairdresser, cutting and colouring in salons as well as developing his traditional techniques. Asked to appear on stage at the Clothes Show Live one year, he made the decision to do long hair for a change - and promptly, a new career path was born.

Patrick soon made a name for himself with his aptitude for show-stopping hair, and he puts as much passion into his presentations as the hair itself. Opera singers, elegant models, graceful dancers and couture fashion all combine with Patrick's energetic and effervescent personality to ensure his shows and seminars are sell-outs.

Working in association with Wella Professionals and BaByliss Pro, as well as publishing his own highly-anticipated annual collection which is launched each year at Salon International, Patrick has dedicated much of his career to education. In addition to demonstrating his skills at shows across the globe, he also runs hugely popular courses at his own training school in London, which was recently awarded Best World Academy by Intercoiffure in Paris.

"I want to take the mystery away from long hair and simplify it," he explains. "After each of my shows, people approach me and say, 'I can't believe how easy you've made it - I finally get it.' For me, that's what it's all about."