From Guido Palau, we remember from these thirty years of profession, the “hair” of the most striking shows of Prada, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta... Always with this taste for a slightly strange look, hairstyles never too perfect.
Originally from Bournemouth, a seaside town where he studied the style of summer visitors from London, trained in the Vidal Sassoon method in the Mayfair salon, this child of the punk and new wave years began to collaborate with magazines at the height of the grunge period.
And participates in the emergence of a new idea of beauty, embodied by Kate Moss and the portraits of David Sims.
The legendary clip
Freedom!
'90
by George Michael and his cast of supermodels, the minimalist campaigns of Calvin Klein, the shots of Avedon for Versace, the theatrical collaborations with Alexander McQueen...
Having become one of the most influential hairdressers of his generation, Guido Palau launched on March 2 with Zara, a range of styling products (texturizing spray, hairspray, smoothing balm) with a scent designed by nose Jérôme Epinette and colorful packaging signed by the Baron & Baron agency.
“I wanted to create a line that references fashion, that is pleasant to look at on a dressing table or in a bathroom, and that makes people want to try it.”
Encounter.
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Guido PALAU -
When I started in the 1990s, hairstyles were frankly theatrical on the catwalks.
The new generation of designers is more anchored in reality, there are fewer aesthetic references to the past.
In keeping with the times, hairstyles have generally become simpler.
But we can play with this simplicity, by modifying the shine, the texture, the flexibility.
This is what makes the effect even more modern.
Hairdresser Guido Palau Ned Rogers
What is special about this range with Zara?
Whether it's the blow-dry spray, the volumizing mousse or the curl activator, these are products that I use backstage and in the studio.
The formulas are both easy to understand and “work”.
If styling is sometimes intimidating, it doesn't require expertise; the textures are intuitive and their finish is supple.
They are superimposed on each other without risk of exaggerated effect.
For example, I often use balm as a finishing touch.
Gently passed through the hair, it eliminates flyaways, smoothes frizz and adds shine.
The secret to any styling is to start with a small amount and gradually build up the look.
Often the first thing people notice, whether on a fashion catwalk or on the street, is the hairstyle.
Guido Palau, Hairdresser
How does hair contribute to self-construction?
Like clothes, they help give a complete idea of fashion.
Often the first thing people notice, whether on a catwalk or on the street, is the hairstyle.
In addition to defining a style, it expresses personality.
With Zara, we wanted to take this very inclusive point of view of hairstyle as a means of self-affirmation.
Especially since in recent years, there have been fewer rules and stereotypes.
Ultimately, TikTok, Instagram and red carpets, more than dictating trends, feed the imagination and give ideas.
One day au naturel, the next day with a great blow-dry, the next day with an extravagant look... Women are emancipating themselves from a supposedly universal ideal of beauty.
It is these singularities that have always inspired me, I seek neither perfection nor conformism, I prefer things that are a little wonky and I like women to do their own hair.
In this regard, you have always claimed a very urban inspiration.
It's my English side.
My teenage years were marked by music and fashion.
At the end of the 70s, this cultural ferment was palpable everywhere in the streets and in the clubs, there was a lot to observe and that's where I accumulated visual references.
At the time, hairstyles had a real impact on British youth.
I imagine it was the same in France.
A good time to learn this profession, especially since young people were used to changing their hairstyle very often and daring more eccentricities.
Here too, there was the emergence of a new idea of beauty.
Today you can be fifty years old and have blue hair, fortunately that no longer shocks anyone.
Everyday Basics by Zara Hair, on sale from March 2 in stores, €15.95 each.
Zara
Guido Palau is launching a range of six hair essentials with Zara.
Zara
Everyday Basics by Zara Hair, on sale from March 2 in stores, €15.95 each.