Raphael Salley, session hairstylist, on a career at the cutting-edge

Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!

Globally renowned for creating iconic hairstyles on famous names and faces across music, film, fashion and art – from supermodels to Hollywood A-listers – session hair stylist Raphael Salley has amassed an awe-inspiring roll-call of devoted clients and collaborators during his expansive career.

We’re talking Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Helena Bonham Carter, Charlotte Tilbury, Givenchy, The Vampire's Wife, Versace, Agent Provocateur, Isabel Marant, Juergen Teller, Harley Weir, Nick Knight and Edward Enninful…as well as fashion publications – Dazed, AnOther Magazine and Vogue.

From serendipitously bumping into fashion hair legend Eugene Souleiman in make-up mecca Screen Face in West London, to getting approached by global creative talent agency Streeters, to this Dazed and Confused shoot that would lead to hair consultancies for Hollywood directors Jane Campion and Matthew Vaughn, Raph tells us about the moments that shaped his career and lets us in on his secrets for getting the best out of a subject in the styling seat.

During the episode, Raph also opens up to us about how he rebuilt his confidence and his career after overcoming a life-changing trauma and the lessons he learned along the way. 

“Once the trust is gained with the artist, once that person is feeling comfortable in your chair, you can pretty much do anything! They'll say, yeah, go for it”.

Wondering what that book of healing poetry Raph mentioned a certain actor read to him was? Wonder no further. 

EPISODE INSIGHTS

Developing long-lasting relationships with A-list clientsThe importance of seeing an opportunity and taking itRebuilding a career in the wake of physical traumaStories from an illustrious career

Find out more about Raph @raphaelsalley

We’d love to know what you thought of the episode @creativebloodworld

EPISODE CREDITS

Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown