DUALITY

FEATURED ARTISTS

Photographer: 
Steven Popovich @ Sugarglider Productions
www.stevenpopovich.net

Hair
Dale Delaporte @ Names Agency for Prema using TIGI
www.namesagency.com.au

Makeup
Colette Miller For MAC Pro using MAC Cosmetics 

Stylist
Kasia Kostrzewa
www.kasiakostrzewa.com

FEATURED HAIRSTYLIST INTERVIEW

1. Stylists are very sharp on their artistic visual direction. What do you find to be the most difficult when bringing a team of artists together?

Every group of artists is very different, because every artist is very different. There are a whole bunch of different experience based opinions, and styles on a set, and there are of course times when this doesn't work in everyone’s favor. On the other hand, these are often the things that make every single frame worth it, more than you expected, and have you walking away gob smacked and more inspired than when you began your day.

2. When sending your work out for the world to see, what do you hope your element of the project says to the viewers?

I like my work to be noticeably mine through those little nuances that make me an individual. At the same time, I think we always, as artists, want people to be surprised when they see new work. Nobody wants their creative works to be predictable and to not evolve.

3. What were the best editorial words of wisdom or advice that stand out to you now? Who handed you these pearls and how do you apply it to your professional career?
ASSIST. ASSIST. ASSIST! Although I think there are very very few people out there that have in innate natural ability to do what we do, I think working closely alongside somebody, or many people, that have experienced things that you can't even imagine is incomparable. Those are the sort of people that have so much to teach. And these little insights are often the one tiny thing you need one day to get you out a make or break bind. I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best hairdressers within Australia, and internationally, and those experiences never leave you.

4. On set, there are often last minute choices, situations...but what do you feel is a common mistake Artists make?
Lack of building a base. Often people jump in to a style, or idea and don't think through the very early stages in enough detail. Product, blow-dry, backcombing, root direction. These are the differences between something incredible, and something far away from it's potential capacity.

5. Regarding artistic visual direction... What do you find most difficult when bringing a team of artists together?
For a photo shoot like this, the hardest part is getting everyone together at the same time. As time goes by, me, and the people around me, get busier and busier. There are so only so many opportunities to be really creative in a professional sense within Australia. Almost every time we are able to be as creative as we like is when we do a test for a submission, or just for the hell of it. So getting everyone together to do an a amazing shoot like this, at the same time is quite the challenge.

6. Sharing knowledge not only grows our industry but showcases talent and strong work ethic, as well. Who is your mentor? What was the most valuable lesson they taught you?
Michele McQuillan. She taught me that you can be an incredible person with a amazing heart, and still be at the absolute pinnacle, if not the best within your industry. That, and you're never beyond learning from those around you.

7. As an editorial artist, what do you feel is one of the biggest mistakes beginners tend to make?
Easy! Impatience. We are all guilty of it, but until you make the mistakes from being impatient, you don't realise how vital patience is.

8. How would you describe your artistic style? What has influenced your work the most?
I am EXTREMELY lucky to have had a very rounded career so far. I have had the opportunity to assist, and learn from some of the most incredible editorial hairdressers this country has to offer. Which has help me create, what I like to think, is a very rounded style. Across the board there are things I love from every type of editorial style, and what is important is what you take away, and what you leave behind.

9. What 3 items would you never do a shoot without?
I don't think there is anything that you must have on every single shoot. Sometimes, the look just doesn't require even the most heavily used item. But my most used would have to be
 a) Mason Pearson Brush
 b) Blow-dryer
 c) TIGI Queen for a Day. (My favourite product by far)

10. Have you ever had an "OMG, what the hell am I doing here?!" moment? Share.
I am writing my responses to this questionnaire on a plane from Paris. I have been away for 31 days. My longest time away from home ever! I worked on the core team for TIGI under direction from Nick Irwin, the international creative director of TIGI, at New York Fashion Week. Then I moved on to London, Milan and Paris working under Guido Palau for shows like Dior, Prada, Valentino and Miu Miu (Which was pretty much under the Eiffel Tower)
I grew up in housing commission in the western suburbs of Sydney.
I have had so many "What the hell am I doing here?!" moments in the last month that I don't think either of us has the time for me to list them all. :)

11. What do people find most surprising about you?
Without sounding conceded, my age. 90% of people think I am about 5 years younger that I actually am. (I'm 30)

12. What is one of your #hairstylist problems?
Fear of not having the right equipment each day. I carry waaaaaaay too much with me every day to shoot, but it's always that one day that you don't take that one piece of equipment, or that one product that the artistic director wants that look that only that item/product can do….

13. I knew I was in love with fashion when....
I began to admire that character people became when they wore certain items. the confidence it evoked. The class. The enjoyment...