Australia: The Hair Down Under

A bevy of Oz talent rides the wave to success
By Anupa Mistry

Australia, an idyllic haven for beach bums and surfers, might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of emerging hairstyling talent. But Down Under is increasingly becoming the place to watch for innovative collections and trend inspiration.

Kevin Murphy, an acclaimed Aussie session stylist and founder of product line Kevin.Murphy, says there are lots of very talented hairstylists in the country. He attributes part of this to the Australian fashion industry. “Hair defines whether your look is on trend,” he says. “It’s a very young industry so there are a lot of niche brands. Since there isn’t as much money at stake, it allows designers and stylists to be more creative.”

Anthony Wynne-Hoelscher, publisher of Australia’s salon-professional magazine Culture, agrees that fashion and cutting edge hair talent are linked. “In Australia, there is a very good ‘editorial’ sensibility amongst top stylists,” he explains. “They understand that session hair and fashion are all about unity—one doesn't overwhelm the other. Ultimately, it’s the consumer who fills salon chairs, not another stylist, so there's no need to impress with wacky shapes and techniques.”

Murphy’s known for perfecting beach hair and takes his affinity for loose waves around the world when he tours. “Australia has always had the messy look, and that has now translated into texture,” he says. The tendency for Aussie collections to feature movement likely comes down to practicality, he says. “The humid weather means it’s really difficult to keep hair straight, so the Australian woman is more likely to embrace the natural movement of her hair.”

Despite their laid back work, Aussie stylists still undergo formal training. “For a career in hairstyling, you can choose either a traditional three-to-four-year apprenticeship, or a full-time program at a recognized institute that usually run for 12 months,” explains Wynne-Hoelscher.

And being Down Under doesn’t mean a lack of exhibition opportunities either. Australia’s Hair Expo, which occurs the first week of June in Sydney, is one of the largest salon trade events in the Southern hemisphere. “The best part of the Hair Expo calendar is the really amazing seminars and workshops that are available,” says Murphy. “It also hosts the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards that determines the Australian Hairdresser of the Year. Industry peers judge the awards, and the gala event is always a great time.”