Vivienne mackinder profile

Vivienne Mackinder has been on the hairdressing scene since the 60s, making a name for herself on both sides of the Atlantic How would you describe your business? The short answer is "I do hair". The long answer is that I do hair in the most fabulous and challenging venues worldwide - film, print, shows and salons - from education to freelance work and product development. offer education via hairdesignertv.com - the first online learning programme that showcases tutorials in cutting, colour, dress work, fashion and motivational presentations. I present live shows, seminars and workshops worldwide. I am a filmmaker with three documentaries on the market under the series title I'm Not Just a Hairdresser. It is a non-profit project that celebrates hairdressing, and through this we support Movement of the Heart - a foundation for women's empowerment, of which I am chairperson. I also see clients at the Oscar Bond Salon in New York City. You could describe me as an inventor and I am in talks with Conair to launch a new hair tool later this year. I have also created colour consultation headbands, so clients can try colour before making a decision. What is your business philosophy? To create fresh and fashionable styles without compromising beauty; to seek the beauty of each client, working in a holistic approach of mind, body and spirit. In my educational work my goal is to inspire people to want to be their best. I show stylists how to follow the rules and then break the rules, without compromising beauty. There is a fine line between creativity and bad taste. What are you most proud of? Developing hairdesignertv and the film series. Also, as a British hairstylist, winning awards at the North American Hairdressing Awards five times. I am proud to say that I am a British hairdresser. What's the secret to your success? Desire. This was the fuel I needed to pursue my goals with determination and a lot of hard work. I have had amazing mentors. I gained a solid foundation at the London College of Fashion and was art director at Vidal Sassoon and Trevor Sorbie. This was a great education for which I will be eternally grateful. The best advice I received in my career was to surround myself with the best of the best - the influence and mentorship paid off. What do you think of British hairdressing? There is a good pool of creative talent and strong technique in the UK. The great thing about British hairdressers is that they are not afraid to step out from the crowd, whether it's through a new trend driven though music, fashion or social issues. Punk is the best example. It still influences creative people more than 30 years after it hit the streets. The flip side of this is that we have good training and apprenticeship programmes to groom great talent. I believe the British view hair as a craft and art form, not a grooming service. What is the biggest differences between hairdressing businesses in the UK and USA? The average American stylist will study at school for 10 months. Due to state licensing law, you have to pass the state board in order to do hair. However, this is changing due to the franchises of Paul Mitchell and Aveda schools opening in the country. Ten months is not long enough. The traditional UK training of two to three years allows for a stronger, classic, training and broader skill level. I believe that great beginnings last a lifetime. British training, in content and quality, is superior to education in the USA. US hairdressers are influenced by celebrity hair, especially red-carpet Hollywood, which is fine, but anything over-done gets boring. On the West coast, there are a lot of booth rental salons, which are the kiss of death for the business. While the stylist can generate a solo business and good income, there is no future. It is like having a booth in a market - you're a tiny island fighting for every client and it is not about teamwork. We are stronger and more powerful together than apart. Who do you admire and who has inspired you in your business and creative work? Antoinette Beenders, Trevor Sorbie, Vidal Sassoon, Eugene Souleiman, Orlando and Guido. I have worked with many of the above, but those I have not worked with I would be happy to pass them pins just for the honour of working with them. That is another goal and dream.