Show Us Your Kit x Frank Apostolopoulos

I think hairdressers sometimes feel like they need to make their mark and ‘create hair’, but if you’re smart, you’ll just look at it and understand that, ‘that’s enough’.

Frank Apostolopoulos

We expose the kit of five-time Australian Hairdresser of the Year slash all-round legend, Frank Apostolopoulos. The products, bits and pieces he can’t live without.

TJ: What is the strangest thing in your kit?

FA: I don’t think there’s anything that strange, but in saying that, you need ‘everything.’ A great hairdresser needs to be prepared, willing and able to manipulate hair in all kinds of ways. You might need to squash it one day (cue: hair nets and salt spray), and just generally make it feel irregular the next.

TJ: What does your kit say about your idiosyncrasies as an artist?

FA: I love unexpected hair so I suppose it’s indicative of my quest to create hair that takes on the guise of an unlikely fabric. Hair that makes people question its composition … I want people to look at my work and ask themselves, ‘is that hair, or something else?’

TJ: And for your less artistic, campaign-ready work, what’s your kit essential?

FA: Campaign hair is always about natural easy looking hair, and for this, sea salt spray is a hero. My two favourites are the BIBA Sea Salt Spray and Wella Professionals’ EIMI Ocean Spritz. I’ll often mix it up with both.

TJ: How essential is a well-equipped kit to your performance on set?

FA: Of course it’s essential, however just as essential is knowing when NOT to use your kit. More than likely a model will walk in with hair that they’ve just woken up with, and if you’re clever enough, you won’t do anything to it. I think hairdressers sometimes feel like they need to make their mark and ‘create hair,’ but if you’re smart, you’ll just look at it and understand that, ‘that’s enough.’ More often than not, it’s about looking at your model and encouraging what they’ve got rather than changing things.

TJ: The most obscure thing you’ve ever used in hair?

FA: Nothing totally obscure comes to mind, but I’ve used everything from sequins to leather in hair. It’s also about non-traditional use of product, get creative, there are no rules. Saturate a model’s roots in barbering pomade and squash for a wet, stringy rock n roll vibe … many stylists would never think to use a male-centric product this way.

TJ: Your favourite wig?

The gold creation on now supermodel Adut for the Australian Hair Fashion Awards last year. People find it hard to believe, but every part of that is hair! Check it out HERE.

To browse Frank’s NEW streetwear line, EGO by Frank, head to our SHOP.