How did you get into hairdressing? I got pretty lucky, because I fell into a world where I loved being from day one. Hairdressing wasn’t a natural choice for me – my parents actually suggested it after my high school failures and I’ve never looked back.

What inspires you? Besides the obvious things like fashion and youth, it’s when hair truly becomes part of the total image as an accessory that it strikes me the strongest. I’m inspired by the “Total Concept” and the bigger picture as well as teamwork.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt during your career? I often see young hairdressers waiting and waiting for things to happen – you have to really chase it and grab it before someone else gets there. At the beginning of my career I was relentless yet invisible until the opportunity was presented to me. I knew that I had to be omnipresent but without annoying anybody and it worked…

What is your favourite era for hair? The 90s. I feel this decade was the buffer between the 80s and the era we are living in now, not only in fashion and hair but other aspects like technology and lifestyle. Also, education in hair really took off on a massive scale during this time, giving young talent new opportunities and platforms.