Today we have a interview for you from the ever talented and completely fabulous Tracey Hughes, owner of Mieka Hairdressing. This award winning stylist and colourist is definitely a woman who's earned her place as top Australian Salon and many other awards over the years. This fantastic hairstylist is definitely one you should know.
You've built up a hair empire with your workshops, seminars, 2 salons and so many awards. Do you have any words of advice for other young hairstylists/colourists who are looking to start up their own business?
Focus all your energy on developing really strong fundamentals skills first. Your initial training can set you up for future success. It's important to master the classic foundation techniques as all creative techniques are derived from them. Keep an open mind at all times to allow your experience and creativity to flourish from many resources. Never stop learning and make the most of every opportunity that presents itself. Running a business comes down to good time management, great organizational skills and an amazing team.
What is one moment in your life that really stands out as a career changing moment? Why this particular moment?
I have had so many proud moments it's hard to determine what is the biggest highlight of them all. I have been fortunate to win many awards however I was recently awarded 2011 Australian Masters for my contribution to the industry which was humbling. It was an unexpected achievement that recognized my dedication in supporting our industry's growth. In saying that, the ultimate moments are not always about me. Some of the proudest career-changing moments have come when someone's "light bulb" goes on and they have a profound learning experience that sparks their own personal growth. For me, these are the moments that are most inspiring.
You're originally born in England, what made you move to Australia? Was it for work or pleasure?
I first came to Australia as a backpacker just wanting to travel. However I fell in love with Australia; the sunshine, the lifestyle and the passion I discovered within the hairdressing industry there. So I chose to migrate to Australia permanently and a few years later in 1997, I established my own business, Mieka Hairdressing, which is now home to two successful salons.
Were you trained professionally to be a hairstylist when you were younger or are you self taught?
I began my hairdressing career as an apprentice in 1986 at Christopher Boyton in the UK, and was very fortunate to receive the best training and became a qualified hairdresser in 1989. I believe continual learning is the key to a successful career so training is an ongoing journey. I instil this everyday in my team at Mieka.
Why did you choose this profession?
I initially had visions of becoming a barrister after my school studies finished and was planning on going to university to study law. However I was naturally artistic so I listened to my instincts and had a change of heart which took me down the creative career path of hairdressing. I am the happiest when I can "zone out" and just focus on creating fantastic hair. It's expressive, calming and inspiring to just create. It's a form of art but more importantly it's about the people so that's why I chose this profession. Making people look and feel great about themselves is so rewarding.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while cutting someone else's hair?
There have been quite a few over the years that it really is too hard to narrow it down to just one!
You run your salons, you're the Hair Director at Australia Fashion Week and a stylist at New York Fashion Week, on top of always being called in to various magazines, TV shows and websites to set trends - does it ever get stressful? What do you do to centre yourself when you feel overwhelmed?
I believe any situation only gets stressful if you allow it to. It gets difficult at times, yes, especially trying to time manage effectively. I travel nationally and internationally on a weekly basis, whether it be for a show, seminar, workshop, in-salon training, working at fashion weeks, editorial photographic shoots, doing media interviews, teaching my own team or working on clients in my salons. Both Mieka Hairdressing salons have fantastic managers I spend time personally mentoring and working with to ensure smooth operations in the salons. The rest of my team at Mieka are extremely motivated and all invest countless hours and dedication into their training. I have a great supportive husband who is our Accounts Manager so he takes care of all financial matters. My Personal Assistant helps arrange my schedules and my Publicist manages our PR, Marketing and Media relationships. So it can get difficult occasionally juggling everything but I credit my success to all those around me. I have practiced yoga for many years which keeps me focused in the present. I center myself when I get time at home with my husband and animals.
Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from lots of different avenues. I am inspired by fashion, art, architecture, photography and nature. However what most inspires me is the team of people I work with. I love to push boundaries and I'm very self- motivated so I can self-inspire to ensure I am constantly evolving as a hairdresser and an educator in order for me to support those I teach in their growth too. People, motivation and energy inspire me.
What has been your favourite era in hair styling?
I would have to say the 80's. As much as that era was a little overdone and trashy it was a great era to train in as you learnt to do all aspects of hair and techniques were developing rapidly then. The 60s were also really cool as Vidal Sasson created precision then, and there was so much freedom in fashion evolving.
You've won awards in both styling and colouring, is there one you prefer over the other? Why is that?
I believe that a hairdresser should be trained in all aspects of hairdressing. Not everyone has the passion or talent to focus on being a well-rounded hairdresser so that's where specialists come in.
My philosophy is that you can't be a brilliant stylist without seeing where colour should enhance your haircut. You can't be a brilliant colourist without understanding shape to see where colour should be placed to complement the fall of the haircut.
Cutting and colour go hand-in-hand and when they work together that's when you can achieve maximum results. If you don't do both then it comes down to great communication between stylist and colourist; that they share a common vision and can clearly relay that to each other.
Personally I have constantly kept myself educated in both fields however I do prefer cutting much more than anything else.
You can find Tracey at:
http://www.miekahairdressing.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mieka-Hairdressing/120745057990092
http://www.traceyhughes.com.au
http://www.Facebook.com/TraceyHughesEducation
Via: Spotlight Stylist - Tracey Hughes