1. ALAIN PICHON
BORN 1966
HAIRSTYLIST
Alain Pichon is highly respected amongst the fashion
cognoscenti for his innovative, evolutionary approach to
hair. He has completed the dream journey from a local
hairdresser to a international hairstylist, developing his
skills in all areas of hairdressing; as an artistic director,
creating products hairstyles collections, academy
teacher, hair show performer, product brand consultant,
fashion show head stylist, editorial beauty hairstylist,
advertising campaign session stylist, adviser on movie, a
BBC ‘Hair’ TV show adjudicator, celebrity hairstylist… he
also made an art exhibition out of hair.
Alain practises all kinds of hair techniques from
colouring, concocting treatment, hair extensions, unique
wigs, refined cuts, technical setting, impressive finish,
still life art… anything really to do with hair flair.
WORK
Alain works with world renown fashion photographers like
Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, David Sims, Glen Luchford,
Mert & Marcus, Mikael Jansson, Rankin, Karl Lagerfeld.
Collaborating with designers on fashion shows such as
Prada men, Calvin Klein men & women, Roland Mouret,
Hugo Boss, Diesel, Akris.
Advertising clients are Dior hommes, Prada, MiuMiu, Ralph
Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Celine, Sonia
Rikiel, Moschino, D&G, Hugo boss, H&M, David Beckham
brands.
He has cooperated on film commercials with
Wes Anderson (Prada - Candy), Wong Kar-way (Ralph
Lauren - Notorious), Guy Ritchie (David Beckham - H&M),
Nicolas Winding Refn (D Beckham - H&M bodywear)
Matthew Vaughn (David Beckham - Jaguar)
As well as his A list celebrities such as,
Scarlett Johansson (Red Carpet), Britney spears (Toxic
video), Kylie Minogue (Album cover), Bjork (Editorial),
Claudia Schiffer (Wedding), David Bowie, Sienna Miller,
Sting and Trudie Styler, Gwyneth Paltrow (TV), Madonna,
David and Victoria Beckham.
Alain also collaborates with many international magazines
like Vogue UK US FR JP, Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazaar UK
US, W Magazine, V Magazine, Another Magazine,
Dazed & Confused, c32d, 10 Magazine to name a few.
He worked on the design of the hair in the movie “Snow
White and the Huntsman “with Kristen Stewart, Chris
Hemsworth by Rupert Sanders, costume design Colleen
Atwood
Hair brands and products -
L'Oreal, Aveda, Tigi, Urban Tribe, Tresemme.
Lately he is a judge on a BBC ‘Hair’ TV show, alongside
Denise McAdam and presenter Steve Jones.
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2. HISTORY
Growing up in France with three older sisters, Alain was
surrounded by a passion for fashion, magazines and
beauty. His father, his grandfather and his great
grandfather before him were barbers, so it seemed natural
for Alain to follow in the family tradition. Only he was
always going to be ultimately different. “At 23 years old I
left France for England, and never came back” he smiles. “I
felt things were more creative there at that time.”
CAREER
At 16 Alain started as an apprentice in Cholet France at
Michel Brosseau salon, his master taught him the Vidal
Sassoon haircutting technique and the Classic French
hairstyling technique, both together would create the
perfect foundation to what would become a fantastic
journey. Alain’s main ambition was to work in England, land
of creative hair. He arrived in February 1988 and first
worked in Guilford salon called Clippers then moved up to
London and worked for Toni & Guy where he very quickly
became part of the early artistic team, creating collections,
teaching fledgling stylists, performing groundbreaking hair
shows and lectured all around the world. All under the
mentoring collaboration of Anthony Mascolo, we went on to
win British hairdresser and artistic team of 1988/89.
After five years Alain felt it was time to go freelance, as a
session stylist. He personally wanted to “have fun, and be
creative,” in the fashion industry. One of his first jobs was
to create a Madame de Pompadour style powdered wig for
a shoot, which he proudly achieved, only to be confronted
with a model with a shaved head. “There was nothing to
attach the wig to,” he laughs. “I used double sided sticky
carpet tape in the end, this job secured me my first agent.
Alain then learnt quickly that you have to be very innovative
and ingenious on every photo shoot.” Luckily being creative
comes easily to him. He is a true visionary, seeing hair in
not only in its conventional form, but a whole concept
waiting to be explored. “it’s like a material form ready to be
played with“
Once self employed, Alain hasn’t looked back, in love with
his craft and independence.
Alain has been represented by Camilla Arthur Management,
Untitled Agency and he is at Streeters Creative
Management and Production since 2007.
ART STUDIO
Prepping in his London studio allows Alain to create the
some of his most art minded work with an extraordinary
range of shapes and objects from hair. “in my studio I was
playing with hair off the head. It was a new medium to me
– weaving, moulding and fixing the hair to everyday objects
like earrings, handbags, glasses straps, Lamp shades. Then
using those creations as his inspiration for hairstyles.
Always pushing the boundaries, creating sculptures of
hair, modelled with gelatine, spray glue, all of which he
exhibited to an awed audience during millennium fashion
week.
Alain is now very interested in how fine artists could use
hair as their medium.
I love to see hair through photography… I remember a great
effect where I superimposed the hair on a print and
re-photographed it, creating a 3D aspect to the hairstyle.
Recent editorial work reveals Lily Cole with a frizz of
auburn curls that simultaneously showcases Alain’s
amazing technical talent, his unwavering grip on fashion’s
zeitgeist and his love of making women look beautiful too.
“I guess it’s a French thing,” he shrugs. “You always want
your work to be beautiful, edgy and new too. But always
beautiful.”
COMMUNICATION
His easy going nature and ability to express himself makes
him popular with the press too. “It’s about being prepared,
and thinking through your inspiration, then being able to
find the right words to explain yourself, so they can
connect with where you are, and what you are trying to
express.” His years of teaching students at Toni & Guy set
him in good stead for the mayhem of the shows. Both for
communicating with his teams and the leagues of
journalists eager to pen down his vision. “It means I am
confident in explaining my look. Telling my stylists and the
magazine press how they can re-create it.”
So just what is it that makes Alain stand out from all the
other stylists? Technical genius, an ability to zone in on the
zeitgeist and create hair that is breathtaking modern whilst
always being beyond beautiful. Plus an easy going nature
that makes him a firm favourite with all of those lucky
enough to work with him. “I just love the idea of moving
things forward, and pushing boundaries,’ says Alain. “with
so many great hairstylists, there is constant renewal in
hairdressing and I love the opportunity to make a
difference and contribute creatively to where fashion is
heading. That’s my true passion.”
FAMILY
Alain has been married to Eva Charlotta since 1993
They have 3 children, Carmen Adora 21, Viktor 15 and
Alfons 5.
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