HJ INSPIRATION
BEHIND THE LENS GUOCO
From pandemic planning to an accidental hero shot, Emma Simmons reveals the story behind her striking GUOCO collection
HAIR: EMMA SIMMONS MAKE-UP: PAULA MAXWELL STYLING: BERNARD CONNOLLY PHOTOGRAPHY: TONY LE BRITTON
What do you love about this collection?
I love its simplicity. There are no frills or unnecessary distractions – just beautifully crafted hair. For me, it’s all about clean lines, strong shapes and precise execution. It reminds me that great hair doesn’t need to be overcomplicated to make an impact.
What was the inspiration behind the hair?
The collection was inspired by the architecture of Singapore’s Guoco Tower. I remember looking up at the building and wanting to recreate that same feeling of strength, precision and striking simplicity through hair. I’ve also always been inspired by Vidal Sassoon, whose iconic geometric shapes first drew me into the industry and continue to influence my work today.
How did you go about setting up the shoot?
The shoot took place during the Covid pandemic, so we chose to work in Manchester to minimise travel and kept the team deliberately small. With restrictions still in place, every detail had to be carefully planned to ensure everyone felt safe and comfortable. It was probably the most organised shoot I’ve ever worked on.
Did anything go wrong or surprise you on the day?
One of the standout images happened completely by accident. As the model walked into position, the photographer took a quick lighting test and the image appeared on screen. We all immediately knew we’d captured something special and asked her to turn straight back around because that spontaneous shot became our favourite image from the collection.
Do you have a significant memory from the shoot?
I remember feeling incredibly nervous before the shoot because of all the uncertainty surrounding Covid, but once we started creating the looks everything fell into place. We seemed to find the perfect shot almost immediately with each style, and by the end of the day I felt enormous relief and pride. It reminded me that taking a risk can lead to some of your best work.