My friend and I both needed our hair sorted out. I hadn't had my hair cut for over a year and it did look a state (I had been growing out a disastrous crop) and she was broke. I was only fourteen at this time and had up til now been fairly unadventurous with hair, favouring the slightly layered bob sported by so many Londoners.
We arrived late to the School (in our defence it is hidden away!) and perhaps we had spent a little too long in Topshop! Located in a small side street near Bond Street tube station (approx. 5 minues walking distance) and the trendy South Molton Street, the building is at first rather unpreposessing and didn't appear the glamorous salon that the Advanced Academy we had passed by to be. Still it was too late now...
We handed over our vouchers to the admittedly haughty receptionists and were left to wait in the reception area, where a man quite literally pounced on us! He immediately started to stroke our hair and talk about what he would like to do with it. We were both terrified, not knowing who he was or why he was stroking our hair. It transpired that we were to be seperated, one of us to stay put and the other to visit the neighbouring advanced academy (yes the very same salon we had joked that tramps like us could never afford!) for a more interesting haircut. We both clung to each other and stressed how we would dearly like to stay together. However one of us had to go and we were both young and none too assertive. Neither of us wanted to go as the man was more than a little scary and was not suggesting the basic trim we had in mind. After about ten minutes of cajoling by the man and arguing between ourselves, I heroically offered to sacrifice my locks. Little did I know it would change my life in the way it did... (sorry about that terrible cliche but it has and still does!)
Clutching the map and ticket I was given, I walked to the Academy, feeling rather apprehensive and nervous. You have to remember I was just fourteen at this time. This building was gorgeous, really modern and I never cease to be impressed by the coffee machine in the lounge area upstairs. The receptionist sent me downstairs where I was ushered into a classroom, obviously the last one to arrive, so I was given to the one remaining student.
"Student" seems such an understatement! It turned out that my stylist as he shall now be termed had his own salon and had over ten years experience. Luckily he was English, so conversation
was free-flowing and relaxed. The teacher was great. He was incredibly complimentary and loved my new red trench coat, badly crooning his own rendition of "Lady in Red"! Let me explain, the teachers supervise and guide the students, showing them how to do certain sections, correcting any slight errors and giving general advice at stages throughout the haircut. The students cannot progress until each stage is approved, so they are not exactly given free reign with your hair. They are also told pretty much what to do with your hair, although mine came up with his own ideas and was really innovative as we had a little time to chat it through because the teacher was with another client and student. The teachers, or creative directors as they like to call themselves are no mere stylists either: they are at the top of their game and are technically and visually amazing with hair.
A problem I had here was that I simply did not understand the hairdressing jargon that my student was rapturously nodding to. I wanted to show them the pictures of celebrity hair I liked and had cut from magazines the week before, but something stopped me. Perhaps I thought they would laugh at me or perhaps I was so compelled to trust them, I don't know. Still being none the wiser as to what they planned to do with my hair, I just said go for it. The teacher had been quite rude at this point, describing my previous "style" as a "bush", laughing at its condition and telling me to look into the mirror and to ask myself if I honestly thought that my hair flattered or suited my face. I have to admit I was a little offended at the time but having looked in the mirror and looking back at old photos I have to admit my hair was boring, not cut to suit me, barely a style, in bad condition: in short pretty dreadful.
Before we go any further I should describe my hair type and colour to you. I had just past shoulder length straight brown/auburn hair. The thing about my hair is although fine, I have so much of it, makin it look big (the correct term for this is "weight").
No complimentary biscuits or cups of coffee here I am afraid. Not even a glass of water, unless your stylist is very nice or thirsty themselves.
Five hours after I had set foot in the Academy and after everyone else had packed up their hairtools and gone home, I was finished. My hair was exactly the same length but what a transformation! It was slim, shaped and oh so stylish. It suited my face well and had obviously been precision cut. I was over the moon and had been asked to return the next week for colour.
Getting outside (I swear that building must be made of lead the mobile signal is so low), I had several missed calls and an angry text message from my friend demanding to know where I was. I found her later and compared notes. Where my hair was interesting and what most would call a cool haircutm, hers was the same bland hairstyle (albeit neatly cut and blowdried) I had just freed myself of. Still she was happy with it.
On my third visit to the Advanced Academy or Creative School, I was asked to be a demo model by one of the teachers there. I had been asked by other ones to do this but had never bothered calling them up. I was a little shy - these people are very sophisticated. This teacher however was different, he was so friendly and nice and had just overseen a great new colour to my hair. There hadn't been time for the student to cut my hair, so I did need a haircut.
Having your hair cut by a teacher is great. The actual cut takes a lot less (about an hour to an hour and a half) but there is still a lot of waiting around before and after. You have to have your hair cut in front of a class of students and you feel like the paparazzi are after you when posing for photos later. Also you have to be even more open to new ideas. The finished result though does always look stunning in a kind of work of art way.
I have been going there for years now. I have done some modelling work for vidal sassoon with make up artists and some truly dodgy outfits involved, but the money is good and it is an ego boost i can tell you! The receptionists are also a lot nicer to me now, chatting about clothes and catching up on the latest gossip.
My hair is what most would describe as extreme: often wild colours with very different lengths. I have had it black, red, plum, blonde, platinum blonde, green, pink, blue...you name it I've probably had it! The cut continually changes and I've always loved it: the whole experience, the flattery, the end results. I also get on really well with my stylist and colourist.
If you need any more convincing, take the philosophy of the teacher who on my first visit, conviced me to go for something unique and interesting: "You know the great thing about hair? It always grows back!". Nowadays my hairdresser doesn't even bother explaining his latest incarnation for my hair and if I get scared (rarely i might add!), he quotes these wise words and I just think go for it!
Quick summary and helpful hints (an insider's guide): 1) wear something that reflects your lifestyle and personality. I tend to dress quite mad or retro, so they give me something to match my style.
2) ask about colour even if isn't immediately offered to you
3) befriend the receptionists, most of them are absolutely lovely!
4) the guys there are quite flamboyant and can be fairly touchy feely, it's just their way and they are all great and geniuses with hair! don't wear a short skirt, they find this hilarious (?!)
5) be open - you never know just how gorgeous you'll look i promise
6) book about a week in advance, salon is open every weekday (except bank and public holidays) with appointments around 9.30 and then again at 1.30
7) take a book or magazine you will be bored otherwise, particularly if you have a foreign student (there are translators don't worry)
8) choose the school that is right for you. there are four to choose from: - the bond street school where my friend went - basic trims and simple cuts - very cheap way of having hair cut simply and neatly compared to normal salons prices for the same easy cuts - leave around 2-2.5 hours - does cheap highlights another mate has had these for the past two years and loves them - never been cut there personally by either my hairdresser or a student but i suppose you do risk a bad cut as they can have a bare minimum of 3 months training - however mates have had good solid cuts from here (simple, slightly layered hair)
- the advanced academy on grosvenor street - as above - anything from 2 - 5 hours - students must have either 5 or 8 years experience (courses vary) and models must be open to new ideas - colour available
- the creative school in green park - creative like the advanced academy but does run some classic courses (timeless yet still very layered cuts) - colour available
- the school in knightsbridge - got sent here in a taxi once by the academy to pick up some urgent dye for my hair but have never really been inside the place - like the aa and creative school but does more colour work
9) very much favours pensioners (they do go! it's so cute as they tell you tales of having been there when it started for mad cuts and now go for their classic cuts course), students and those with too much time on their hands - no weekend or evening work unless your a paid model. When at school, I had to bunk and it does take up the best part of the day so you'll probably need to skive the day off!
10) do not wear halternecks or shirts, dye is exceedingly difficult to get out
11) do not wash your hair on morning of colour as you will be in PAIN
12) men can go there too
13) arrive a little in advance to talk more to the student about you want and hope to get picked by the competing students
14) they like curly hair so do not straighten when you go, they cut nicely for curly girls
15) if you do get a cool mad style or colour, prepare for abuse if you live in a dull suburban town like i used to. round london though they love it and stop and ask me where i got it done :)
16) fast incredibly pro haircuts and colours, free products, dyes, intensive condition, touch ups whenever i need them and not forgetting drinks and biscuits...the perks of a demo model or a paid model are endless but you have to be picked. Some of the really high paid permanent models get so much money, travel expenses from anywhere to London and to travel the world...some girls get it all grrr.....
17) don't be disconcerted by the fact that most of them talk to your reflection in the mirror!!
Hope this has been helpful and will inspire you to try out the school. Sorry I can't be more of a help on the actual school, as I have never had any first hand experience of cut or colours there as I prefer something a bit different. I think it is good for someone seeking a good well cut yet not too different style or a trim.
Thought I'd better update this with the telephone number of the school - 0207 318 5205 - the receptionists can redirect your call if necessary (trust me this is easier than listing all the different numbers!).
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Cheap and cheeful, you usually get a very good hair cut, an interesting experience Disadvantages: Takes a long time, your student may make a mess of your hair
exceptional by (22%):
very helpful by (78%):
