2 mins
ADVENTURES OF A STYLING AMBASSADOR
Chris Long, GB Styling Ambassador for Dyson, talks us through how he journeyed from salon to session, giving his top tips along the way…
As we sat down with Chris Long in Dyson’s Beauty Lab on Oxford Street, we jumped straight in. Rewind 21 years, and Chris could be found in a little salon in Gloucester. “About 10 years ago, I was asked to help out at London Fashion Week. On my way home, the hairdresser I was assisting called me asking if I could fly to Milan and Paris, and my session journey started there.” Fast forward to 2024, Chris works on photoshoots, fashion shows, and press days, to name a few – something which he didn't envision. “I thought you had to work in London to do that. Even though I wanted to do it, I didn’t know how to get there.”
Often, when people think of session styling, they think glamour, celebrities, room service – but the session industry requires hard graft. “I was assisting, staying in bad Airbnb’s, going places by coach – it’s not glamorous, but you work up to that.” And after having worked for Dyson for over five years on numerous campaigns, Chris was eventually announced as GB Styling Ambassador in 2023. “It’s one of my biggest career highlights. I know all the products, and when I was asked, I couldn't believe it!” But each journey comes with its own challenges, and taking the jump from salon to session was something that affected Chris at the beginning of his career. “You don’t know if you’re going to get work from one week to the next.” And perhaps something most stylists can relate to was the challenges during lockdown. “I was classed as production so I could still work. I was in boiler suits and facemasks, stood at the other side of the room, telling the model how to do her hair,” he revealed.
When it comes to inspiration, for Chris, it's all about the collaboration between the hairstylist, the make-up artist, the stylist, and the client. Following people such as Sami Knight (Adele’s hairdresser), and Peter Lux, Chris is all about flawless, classic looks. “You can draw your inspiration from everywhere but for me, I just love beautiful hair.”
As our chat draws to an end, we ask, any words of advice? “Work hard and find people you like to work with. Be nice to everyone you meet – it can take you a long way.” When asked what's coming up, Venice Film Festival is mentioned, and just like 10 years ago, where Chris’s session journey began, he’s returning to Milan and Paris for Fashion Week. “And that’s all I can tell you!” he teases. We can’t wait to see what secrets are up his sleeve…
PHOTGRAPHY: ZAC WALTON
2006
Completed NVQ at Ashley Paul Hairdressing, Gloucester
2016
Assisted on first fashion show at London Fashion Week
2019
Shot first global campaign for Dyson Beauty
2023
Became Dyson's GB Styling Ambassador