Thursday, May 19, 2011

Paco: A Parallel Universe

It’s all about inspiration, style, references, and professionalism. That’s what it is for me anyway, hairdressing that is. When I lived in New York City I seemed to get it...kind of like osmosis. All I had to do was look around and I was impacted by what was there, but I always referenced my work. I think most of us do though. What does that mean? We get a picture from somewhere, you know, a magazine advertisement for shoes but the model had great hair. For color it could be old movies like Bridget Bardot in “God created Women” with sexy, blonde, long wavy hair. Jane Fonda’s short choppy shag in “Klute” which was very edgy at the time. Julie Christies cute inverted bob in “Shampoo” and of course Mia Farrows famous Sasoon pixie in “Rose Mary’s Baby”. There are countless rock n’ roll references in my head. Mick Jager, Beatles, Joan Jet, Rod Stewart, and the many looks of Madonna. As for fashion I always “Did the Flip” for Linda Evangelista... what a chamaeleon. You see, you have to have a reference. Whether it be a photo in your brain that will inspire you to create it, mimic it in your own way, to customize it on your model client. Now you have to apply your skill, your talent, experience and knowledge, to finally create something beautiful! Hey, you could get inspiration rom a kid working at the local coffee joint or movie theater. It really doesn’t matter where you get it, as long as you get it! That’s why I love people watching, you never know who your next new reference will be. I know I “get it” everyday from working with great hairdressers.


The amazing thing for me and in my career has been relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona. I walked into an incredible place, SALON PUCCI. There I met fabulous people, talented artists, and a true sense of professionalism. I knew I was “home”. It was strange and to be honest, looking back a little scary, but a good feeling. I was getting inspired by clients, and co-workers simultaneously. There was a weird feeling that came over me. It felt like I was transported, I mean like “beamed up” as in Star Trek to a parallel universe. All the same people but with different names and different faces, but also so cool and beautiful, all in one.


Working with great artists beside you , a creative environment for me is key. It’s all about the end result and “kicking it up a notch”. You have to still revert to your memory banks to conjure up your references and re-invent your looks. Incredibly, you keep developing new ones, Katie Perry, Christina, I’m not so sure about Justin Bieber, HA HA!
Seriously, environment is so important for me as an artist. Salon Pucci is a think tank for creativity and a breeding ground for young talent..and not so young as well. It is my parallel home and a place full of energy that inspires you to “doo it” better.


That is how some of my brain works, the process to translate whatever my vision is to someone’s hair. I think I speak for a lot of people at Pucci in saying that we need to keep moving forward and become visionaries in our own way. When a colleague does a hot cut or a great color, and when the style comes together it’s so cool not only for the one who “did it” but for all who can see and appreciate it. For the client perhaps, life changing and for me, certainly inspirational. Alas, a new reference. That’s what I get in Pucci, we all........”GET IT!!”

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