We were lucky to catch up with Allison Lawsen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned Hair Styling from many different people, in many different forms.

Beginning as an Apprentice in Sydney Aust, I aligned myself with hairstylists who also worked on Fashion shoots & shows. By doing this I was able to learn cutting, coloring & techniques from the runway shows. I saw high level creativity & thinking outside the box.

Later I moved to London & New York where I was an assistant on Photo Shoots & a member of Fashion Week Teams.

I think hairdressers are always learning. Speeding up the process can mean you miss important insights & even learning from mistakes is imperative to growth.
Be it colleagues, classes or clients, as creatives our job is forever changing & the industry evolving. We never stop learning.

The most essential skill is learning on the go. Every client / job is different which requires you us to think quick & be flexible & adaptable.

I never felt any obstacles in my way. I learn easily by watching, & I like to get my hands dirty in the process. I have had talented & generous mentors & teachers to guide me along the path.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

A friend suggested I try Hairdressing because I was always changing my look. I love clothes, planning outfits & trying new things. I love music, art & photography.

I work at Bonita Marina Del Rey in LA, cutting & styling for my clients.
It’s a beautiful salon space. It’s gorgeous. So unique.

My experience in many areas of Hair sets me apart. Learning at such a high level, I am very knowledgeable.

I like to create my cuts for my client, every person is so different. Hair is very personal. Trends always play a part, but wearable hair is my thing. I love to do haircuts that don’t necessarily have to be blown out & styled, & teach my clients little tricks to make their hair look cool without too much effort at home.

I’m most proud of the adventure this career path has provided, & the array of skills & experiences I’ve picked up on the journey.
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I’ve worked on Award Winning Teams,
I have worked on Fashion Shows in Sydney, London & New York.
I worked on music videos like Lady Gaga, I did Sarah Burton’s hair for the Met Gala (honoring Alexander McQueen). I’ve worked for top hairstylists such as Holli Smith, Eugene Souleiman & Sam McKnight.
Often I’ve had to pinch myself how lucky I am.

I’m a Kerastase Care Coach now too. This is an amazing opportunity to delve into learning about Product & their development.

I strive to provide value to my clients throughout their time with me. I want them to feel welcomed & heard when they talk.

When they leave, I want them to feel beautiful & confident. There’s nothing better than great hair.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is I get to evolve & try new things. Being around people & other creatives fuels me.
Every day I learn something new about the world around me that reshapes my view of what life is about.
There’s a flow to it. It’s boundless.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn to let go a bit. I can be my own harshest critic. I would look for how I could have done it better, rather than appreciate my work & know it ALWAYS gets better. Creativity is always evolving.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: allison_lawsen

Image Credits
Ben Benoit