HJ ADVERTORIAL
GOLDWELL ARTSQUAD: Where Fashion Meets Hair
Mark Leeson and Richard Darby on collaboration, runway inspiration and pushing creative boundaries with the Goldwell Art Squad
▶ What inspired this year’s collection?
Runway fashion is always a major source of inspiration. The team explored different designers, breaking down their collections and translating shapes, silhouettes, fabrics and colour palettes into hair. These references informed everything from the cuts and shapes to colour placement, allowing the team to push each idea further.
▶ How has the creative direction evolved?
Evolution is always important, but the fundamentals remain the same: collaboration, mood boarding, sharing ideas and bringing together the team’s experiences. Individual fragments gradually come together to create a collection with its own clear identity.
▶ What did the Goldwell Art Squad members bring to the process?
The team were instrumental in both planning and executing the shoot. Some members returned from the previous year, bringing their experience and a desire to push their creativity further, while also sharing their knowledge with the new team. Everyone played to their strengths and brought their own perspective, while working towards a unified vision.
▶ How did fashion references translate into the finished hair?
Each team member selected a runway designer and explored their Autumn/Winter collection in detail. Garment shapes inspired haircuts, while fabrics, colours and patterns influenced colour palettes and placement. Although the concepts were varied, working from the same creative process gave the collection a strong visual identity.
“WE WANTED TO GIVE THE TEAM PERMISSION TO PUSH THINGS AS FAR AS THEY COULD.”
▶ What did you want the collection to achieve?
The focus was on showcasing the team’s progression, exploring the breadth of Goldwell’s colour portfolio and pushing creative boundaries across hair, fashion and photography. With clear mood boards and references, everyone could stay aligned while still having the freedom to experiment.
▶ How can hairdressers take inspiration into the salon?
The aim wasn’t to create commercial, wearable looks from the outset, but to give the Art Squad freedom to step outside their comfort zones. There are techniques, colour placements and styling ideas that can be adapted for clients, but the priority was creative exploration. Giving the team permission to push ideas as far as possible was what made the collection exciting.
MARK LEESON
RICHARD DARBY