- Candice Birns
- Candice Birns
- Candice Birns
PEOPLE: LA hairstylist Candice Birns on styling for the music industry
Interview: Anthony Mascolo
Images: Amanda Charchian, Aaron Feaver, David Gomez Maestre
Special Thanks to Candice Birns
Born and raised in Los Angeles, the glitch and glamour of Hollywood runs in Candice Birns’s blood. “I was a child actor and theatre geek who only cared about the hair and make-up trailer”, she jokes. Along with hair, music played a huge part in her life growing up, “I was, and still to this day am obsessed with Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Michael Hutchence, Jim Morrison and Brigitte Bardot”. Nowadays, her career as a hairstylist to musicians allows her to combine these two loves. Working with artists including Haim, Calvin Harris, Bastille and Soko, her busy schedule sees her flitting between Los Angeles, New York and London, accompanying her clients on shoots, music videos and red carpet appearances. We caught up with the hairstylist to talk trends, inspirations, and what it takes to be a stylist in the music world.
What inspires you? Life inspires me! I know it’s a generic answer but every day there’s something new to get excited about. Also your basics: music, fashion, history and art, yet another generic answer but so true. A lot of cult films directed by Fellini and Cassavetes have always brought me inspiration as well.
"When you're working with an artist it's a collaborative effort on both ends. You're essentially creating an entire brand for them”
Current favourite hair trend? My own. Every girl loves a proper shag. (in hair that is)
You work with musicians including Haim, Calvin Harris and Bastille. What is it like styling hair for the music world? I always knew I wanted to work with musicians, it just came to me naturally. When you’re working with an artist it’s a collaborative effort on both ends. You’re essentially creating an entire brand for them. As a hairdresser you hold someone’s beauty and confidence, and set the tone for that person’s day. It’s imperative to create your own trends and also know everything going on in the fashion, art and beauty world.
As a frequent traveller, how have the places where you have lived and worked inspired your work? I’ve travelled a lot and have seen a lot and history constantly surrounds you. Growing up in LA you have old Hollywood, and going to Europe you can feel the history on every street. When I’m in the south of France all I want to do is 60s Bardot. But when I’m in London I’ll go back into 60s mod. It’s always determined by where I am that moment.
If you could cut or style anyone’s hair (dead or alive) who would it be and what would you do? Janis Joplin. I’d put some layers in and shape it, she needed a proper shag!
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR
- ANTHROPOLOGY OF HAIR