With over 17 years of experience in the world of fashion, Stephen Kelly, 39, is one of Ireland’s leading hairstylists. He has worked with supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Jerry Hall and Yasmin LeBon, and styled the coiffures of stars at the MTV Music Awards.
His work appears almost monthly in fashion editorials in magazines such as Irish Tatler, U Magazine, Social & Personal, and newspapers such as the Sunday Independent and the Sunday World.
We talked to him about his career, which Irish celeb's hair he'd most like to chop, and the secret to a really good haircut.
Georgina Heffernan: When did you realise that you wanted to be a hairdresser?
Stephen Kelly: It was a total accident. I left school and went to catering college as I wanted to be a chef. I moved to Jersey and one of my friends was a hairdresser and they needed someone to work on a Saturday; the rest as they say is history, I loved it and found I had natural ability. I could not imagine doing anything else.
GH: How did you go about fulfilling that ambition?
SK: I left catering soon after that and took up a full time position. I was lucky to get a job in a beautiful little salon where I met top stylist Adrian Rivvett and spent the next couple of years under his elbow. I learnt so much from him; I learnt how to put hair up just by watching him, he was an artist.
GH: What do you love - and hate - most about your job?
SK: I love meeting people all the time. I have a very loyal clientele - some have been coming to me for 16 years. I don’t think there is any thing I hate about it. I have made a fantastic career out of it.
GH: What has been the highlight of your career to date?
SK: There have been many, I get a great buzz seeing my hair styles on the front of fashion mags, I have been doing editorial work for about 14 years now. It’s great to have that freedom to be creative. I won creative hairdresser award 2000 that was amazing. I have worked as a guest stylist on Off The Rails for roughly 8 years pretty much since it started that has been so much fun.
GH: Away from the salon - what do you do to relax?
SK: I love going out for dinner with my friends at the weekends. I am a bit of a foodie I love trying new places. And, of course, nothing beats lying on a beach when I can get away.
GH: If you could cut any Irish celebrity’s hair who would it be and why?
SK: I would love to cut Sile Seoige's hair short again I think she looked really cool and edgy with a much shorter look.
GH: You must have seen many changes in hairdressing over the years. What in your opinion were the best innovation and the worst?
I think the best thing that’s happened is the availability of better hair products. Colours are better and there is an amazing range of styling and conditioning products now and it makes our job so much easier.
GH: What is your favourite hairstyle of all time?
SK: I love bobs and anyone who knows me knows I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan so her hair is frequently sent out the door for red carpet and weddings.
GH: What type of hair is the most difficult to cut?
I have tried cutting afro hair in raw state (not chemically relaxed), it was quite difficult.
GH: What is the secret to a really good hair cut?
SK: The consultation. It is so important to spend time with your client before a cut to make sure that all possibilities have been discussed. We have two seasons every year in fashion Spring Summer/Autumn winter I try and do the same with clients hair this way they keep up to date with what’s going on. Be it through colour or cut.
GH: What’s next for you?
SK: I need a holiday so, hopefully, will get one soon. Have a nice few shoots coming up so looking forward to getting my teeth into them. I am starting to look towards autumn winter to see what looks are coming in.
