As Greek Goddess Athena so famously professed, “Fortune favours the bold, but wisdom guides their path.”
A quote that perfectly befits our reigning 2023 Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Lyndal Salmon. Here, the creative powerhouse and industry-revered educator guides us through the creative process behind Athena – the collection that saw her crowned with our industry’s top honour.
TJ: CAN YOU CHAT US THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS BEHIND ATHENA?
LS: It’s hard to know where to start with my creative process, because I have chosen to weave these practices into my daily life. Shoot or no shoot, I dedicate a lot of time to my creative process. This way, when I’m presented with an opportunity or choose to throw my hat in the ring, I am ‘match fit’ – always ready.
Of all my past collections, (award winning collection) Athena was hands down the most poetic and precision-perfect project I have completed.
TJ: WHERE DID YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
LS: My initial thoughts were that I may never get this opportunity to shoot again, and so the images need to be relevant, beautiful and inspirational now and in 20 years! From there I asked myself, what images do I love that have stood the test of time and what is it about these images that I love?
TJ: WHAT OTHER PREPARATION WENT INTO THIS COLLECTION?
LS: Believe it or not, the colour work that goes into a black and white collection is extremely critical because all you have is shape and shade – advice I learnt from mentor and friend Alyson Shoer.
I spent a hell of a lot of time prepping colour, and there’s a lot of shape testing that goes into my work. For this collection, I wanted very intentional shapes showcasing techniques and craft.
TJ: WHAT LED TO YOUR PASSION FOR EDUCATION?
LS: I am an educator in my bones. I can’t even wash the dishes at BIBA Academy without narrating my way through it! Being an educator for me is not the same as being an expert. You need to take people on their journey and ignite their spark. If ever I hear the phrase “I want to get into education to pass on my wisdom, I cringe.
Education can be full on, and the multitasking levels are through the roof, but it has kept me grounded and inspired for 20 years and I’m not going anywhere. I love it.
TJ: AS 2024 FAME TEAM DIRECTOR AND REIGNING 2024 HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR, WHAT KEY LESSONS OR TIPS WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THE FAME TEAM WHEN CREATING COLLECTIONS AND ENTERING COMPETITIONS?
LS: Start now. Create an image album on your phone. Start honing your eye and developing your aesthetic and remain authentic to that. Metaphorically weave your creative practice into your daily life. As the mother of two beautiful girls, I have found the only way I can carve ourt time to test ideas and develop techniques is to ‘smoosh’ it all together. Boil a wig in one pot, boil pasta in another, sit back and critique the results.
TJ: DESCRIBE THE FEELING OF HEARING YOUR NAME CALLED AS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR.
LS: From a collection perspective, it was the final chapter to the creation process. When Renya Xydis called my name, I basically ran onstage, going two stairs at a time in my Nike Flex. The creative process – and my collection Athena – had the send-off it so deserved.
When Renya called my name, I was in an alternate universe, complete shock – like, how? What? Me? There was insane relief coupled with cold sweats, beaming and bubbling with pride, joy, and overwhelming love for our industry.
