2 mins
Adventures of a Hair Maverick
Lisa Farrall chats about working on global superstars, championing diversity and how an impulse to rebel has shaped her work
What was your start in the industry?
My parents once told me to do something that robots can’t do, so at 13 I started as a Saturday girl and realised the salon was a place that embraced and celebrated my weirdness and rebellion. Years later, I was inspired by Robert Lobetta and Eugene Souleiman in magazines like Vogue so started assisting on shoots including Fashion Week, and slowly made a name for myself.
What have you learnt working with high profile artists such as Coldplay and Ed Sheeran?
You are a small part of a big team – you have to be cool, calm and collected. You are there to do a job, not be a fan, so while it’s fun, you need to be on top of your game.
What does equality in the industry mean to you and how can people make a change?
No matter who walks through your doors – any skin colour, hair texture or hair type – we can offer them a service It’s important that we are texture neutral and that means creating a safe space. This passion led me to launch Wig London, where we offer salons t aining on texture neutrality.
What is your greatest inspiration?
I love the pulse of the city and the people who go against the grain, create their own communities and love freely. I always wanted to be an artist as art is so inspiring; I love to see how diffe ent people use colour or to hear a song that brings you to tears one minute and then has you dancing the next.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
Learn and perfect every type of hair, then create your niche. Use social media as a network tool – find out wh inspires you, soak up everything you see and create your own network – but don’t forget it’s a filte ed perspective. If you see a photo of me on a plane heading somewhere glamourous for work, I’m not as relaxed as I look!
2016
Created the empowering ‘Armour Collection’, showcasing the beauty of black hair and history
2017
Flew to LA to work with Kendrick Lamar on the Black Panther soundtrack
2020
Became a UK and Ireland Ambassador for Matrix
2021
Finalist for HJ's British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional Afro Hairdresser of the Year for the first time in four years.