BEHIND THE LENS

Love London

Colin Greaney takes us behind the lens of his award-winning collection, created to showcase Mahogany Hairdressing’s directional cutting and colour techniques, and the work that earned him the title of London Hairdresser of the Year

What do you love about this collection?

This collection will always be special to me because it marked a defining moment in my career. We had recently opened our salon in Mayfair, London, and the collection won me London Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, in 2001. That recognition gave the new salon an incredible boost and helped establish our presence in London. Looking back, it represents real momentum for both my career and Mahogany Hairdressing.

What was the inspiration behind the hair?

The focus was showcasing our ethos of directional cutting and innovative colour techniques. The imagery was inspired by a jewellery campaign I saw in Italian Vogue, whose fashion-led aesthetic became the starting point. My vision was to create a blend of sensuality and graceful beauty. The combination of high-gloss, minimalist jewellery and strong hair shapes created the striking, luxurious finish I was hoping to achieve.

How did you set up the shoot?

This was one of the most ambitious and expensive shoots I’ve ever undertaken. Every model was sourced through agencies in Milan, and after selecting them, we travelled there to create the collection. I also flew the photographer, make-up artist and fashion stylist to Milan so we could work together on location. It was a major production with a lot of moving parts but having the right creative team in place made all the difference.

Did anything go wrong on the day?

One of the biggest challenges on the day involved the model wearing the mohawk, who was flying into Milan from Russia. There was an unexpected delay when airport officials queried her documentation, and we didn’t think she’d make the shoot. It was stressful, but thankfully her agency resolved the issue and she arrived in time.

Do you have a significant memory from the shoot?

Without question, the greatest memory connected to this is winning London Hairdresser of the Year. It was unforgettable, made even more emotional because I had become a father for the first time that year. During my acceptance speech, I dedicated the award to my newborn daughter, Mercy. It’s a moment I’ll always treasure, and it makes this collection even more meaningful whenever I look back at it.