Our Colour Director Christine Rowe at Valonz collaborated with photographer Tim Richardson, Art Director Shane Sakkeus and myself on this shoot for Oyster Magazine. You can see the original artists work that inspired us all. I spoke with Christine on how she was able to interpret the brief

Ren xxx

Yves Klein - Blue Venus

When Tim contacted me about collaborating with him on this shoot, I was thrilled to be able to work with such a creative team of people and really push the perception of hair colour as we know it. We had the idea to reference abstract expressionist’s work who worked with bold colours that made a statement with shapes.

Francis Bacon - Crucify

During the project, I read about Artist Francis Bacon and the process and approach he used when painting. Something he said stayed in my mind which I wanted to use when creating this project; he said, he may walk into a painting with an idea for the canvas to go into a certain direction, but all of a sudden the paint is running the other way and he goes with it, not fight it. It doesn’t mean it is wrong, it’s just taking on a new journey and that’s the exciting thing about it.

Jackson Pollack - Untitled

The greatest challenge for me was how could I create these colours on hair? I liked the play of colours mixed together that created tones that you don’t normally see on hair.

Anish Kapoor - Drip

I loved the idea of crossing over mediums, brining acrylic paints and using Wella’s fantastic palette of colours; For example to create texture into the hair, however the logistics of the paints weight would then effect the style that Renya needed to create into a shape. Although the colour needed to be recreated, I needed to be really creative with my knowledge of the Wella range and then research on the techniques that the artists used played an enormous part of how I could get the colour right.

Marc Quinn - Kate Moss Sculpture 8

Photographer Tim Richardson Art Direction Shane Sakkeus Hair by Renya Xydis forThe Artist Group, Hair colour by Christine Rowe for Wella Make up Mark McCarthy for Valonz

Behind the scenes…

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Salon Manager Harold Samu and 2IC Natalie Matijevic

What’s a great day for you in the salon Natalie? A great day for me is when the stylists and colourists are on fire. The mood in the salon is great and clients get everything they want.

What is the one thing you love most about your job Harold? What I love about my job is the challenge of matching clients with the right stylist; someone with whom they will respond on an interpersonal level and who has the perfect skill set to create the look they want to achieve.

Senior Colourist Michael Kelly & Emerging Stylist Henri Melki

What sort of a hairdresser would you like to be known as Michael? A forward thinking professional that’s creative, fun and a bit of a colour guru!!

Henri how do you excite your daily hairdressing from the time you walk in the salon door?
I try to never cut corners with my work. I try new things and read magazines before work to get me in the mood for a good hair day!

Senior Stylist & Colourist Cassie Weller and Colour Director Shari Reynolds

Shari with nearly 3 decades of experience locally & internationally, how do you encourage your younger team? The next generation of hairdressers? I like them to be aware of every detail that makes colours perfect – the discipline to give every client your very best always. Be committed, consistent and creative – love hair and be the master of your career.

Cassie tell us what’s your favourite cut right now? At the moment I’m loving a long bob aka LOB. It suites most face shapes and easy to style. It’s a powerful, sexy chic look. Think Olivia Palermo, Abbey Lee Kershaw, and Elin Kling

Senior Stylist Ryan Mitchell & Senior Stylist & Colourist Nicole Sudjana

Nicole what’s hot right now in hair? I’m loving disheveled, air rated hair- anything that’s textured without loads of layering. Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective. Colour wise I am loving honey and copper tones- soft and seamless texture created when combining balliage and foiling.

What sort of a hairdresser would you like to be known as Ryan? Versatile I want my clients to feel confident that I can deliver what they want custom for their needs, I would also describe my work as all or nothing I love doing undone hair rock and roll chic, or really structured strong polished shapes

Senior Stylist Richard Brand and Editorial Stylist Travis Balcke

Richard who and what inspires you? How do you get your inspiration? Everything around me, the fashion on the streets to fashion week and even my colleagues at Renya Xydis City. Playing with fabrics of different textures and relating that back to different hair types. Also brainstorming with my team in the salon.

What are you looking forward to Travis? I have a trip to India in July with Wella. I will be educating hairdressers there about the new styling range. Doing the shows in NYC in September - I migrate to the Northern hemisphere twice a year to work on all the international shows.

Apprentices Alex Andrews and Chandra Luy

Alex what’s the best advice given to you by your seniors? To be consistent with what I do each day, to look and learn and practice, practice and practice! I love that we are involved in a variety of work from Hair Expo to editorial work.

Why did you choose Renya Xydis City to do your apprenticeship Chandra? Renya Xydis City is known for their education in the hair industry, I want to learn from the best. They have the experience and know how to show me how to be the best hairdresser I can be. I love my team as they encourage me continuously.

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I am so lucky to work with such talented people! Jessica is a delight to work with! One of my Head Colourist - Sheree Knobel at our Salon X looks after Jessica’s hair colour, she does such an amazing job - it is so natural looking and really complements her soft features - good job Sheree!

Ren xxx

What to find out more on Sheree

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I love this shoot I did with the talented photographer Georges Antoni from The Artist Group

Ren xxx

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Image Credit Spotlight Report

Image credit Zimbo

Image credit Simon Bullard

It’s great to see such internationally known actors like the gorgeous Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska supporting this amazing Film festival. I worked with Cate & Mia on Friday - When most actors are wearing their hair long, both Cate and Mia are working shorter hair that looks chic and understated.

Ren xxx

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