What does it mean to be a third-generation stylist? Did it make it easier to choose your trade?
When you grow up at the very heart of this industry and can see your family working in it every day, you are taught the LOVE for your future trade. Another great advantage was that my father wanted me to continue the dynasty and revealed to me all the professional secrets. I am so grateful to my destiny for such a start!
And how did you come to your present post — the Director of Pelsynera Salon?
At first, I just helped my farther in the salon — swept the floor, washed clients´ heads (smiles). Then I went to a hairdressing academy and graduated. Funny enough, I did not receive too much in the academy — supposedly because the manner of teaching was very different from the present one, and did not provide me with enough knowledge and experience. Nevertheless, I have always been rather self-taught and I got a real and tremendous education during my trips to London, where I happened to work with British masters like Trevor Sorbie, Vidal Sassoon and Anthony Mascolo. Yet, all I really wanted was to freely implement my own ideas and to show to the whole world what it means to be a stylist. That process was catalyzed when I met Sonia, my business partner — an indispensable member of our team. That´s how we established Pelsynera Salon.
What, in your opinion, is the great difference between your salon and others?
I am absolutely sure that the best way to style hair is to personalize the services rendered to each individual customer, and always catch up with modern trends and even surpass them. We follow this simple rule without fail and that is what sets us apart.
Do you create your avant-garde hairstyles just for young people?
Not exactly, the plain truth is that when you work on a collection you always try to find the strongest images, sometimes built upon crazy contrasts in length or volumes, which really are intended for younger people since they are the most adventurous. The ideas can always adapt for older men and women. You might soften the technique or style, yet that hairstyle will be based on the original, most creative concept.
Most stylists have to work with all the styles and lengths, yet your signature style is cool haircuts on short hair, and you have never changed your creed. Why do you enjoy working on short hair so much?
I like to work with short hair most of all since it gives more freedom, more opportunities for creative work. And it lends itself best in the use of color. In our most recent collection we used red, orange and yellow — the three principal colors on which the collection is based.
Why did you choose the name “Conjuro” (“conjuration”) for this new collection?
Well, the case is just that a “conjuration” is all about creation — from NOTHING into SOMETHING, and each creation process is unthinkable without a great deal of magic and inspiration!
And what is your main inspiration for creating something new?
Apart from the most natural reason — my desire to implement and demonstrate new ideas, it is also a correction and evolution of my previous works. In addition, sometimes I just really strive to improve on somebody´s look, which may be even more interesting. Yet, I am absolutely convinced that what is the most important for me are ideas in themselves. And in these terms, Barcelona is undoubtedly a city of great opportunities… It is a very “cosmopolitico” and I take inspiration from all the various cultures. New ideas are always in the air…all you have to do is catch them!
Spain is one of the countries most affected by the global economic crisis. How did it influence Pelsynera´s performance? And who suffers more — stylists or their clients?
At a time when both stylists and their customers have to keep down expenses, the best way for us to survive is to maintain the highest standards of our services. We simply have to be more attentive and creative and keep our customers. This is the only thing to justify the cost of our services and to ensure a steady profit regardless of economic climate. That is why I sincerely hope that at least our clients won´t be the “injured party.” Yet, we are not going to be involved in price wars, since it would mean the reduction in service quality and prestige of our trade which, in turn, would reduce the number of our regular customers.
What advice do you have for newcomers to our industry?
Learn from the excitement of what´s new as well as from the Masters of our trade. Spain is extremely rich in talents, and most of all, I admire the works of X-presion, Identity, and Jose Boix, when I see their works in a magazine. As a stylist, your first publication in a magazine, first show, or first contest are the things which lay the foundation for your professional growth, since you have to work hard and be creative to reach your goals and achieve success. That´s what I would like all the newcomers in our industry to be — laborious, with good technical skills and ability to generate new ideas! Just catch your magic!
Comments (0) 
Print this Article
Email to Friend
