#IndustryInsights - Aidan Darcy
This week we had the pleasure of chatting with multi-award winning Irish hair stylist, Aidan Darcy, all about his successful career as one of Ireland's top hairdressers.
How did you first get into the industry?
As a child I was always very creative and arty, I always loved creating and making things with my hands. School wasn't for me and I wanted to leave after third year to become a hairdresser, but my family weren't too keen on the idea of me leaving school so young. So after completing my leaving cert I started researching the best possible way of pursuing hairdressing as a career. I didn't get to start my hairdressing until 2012, so this year will be my fourth year working in the industry.
Can you describe a typical work day?
Being a hairdresser, there isn't really a "typical day" as such, each and every day there's always something different. Working in Sugar Cubed on Clarendon Street is the best possible environment for me to be working in. I feel very blessed to be working with such a talented creative team, we are like one big creative family. I get to be myself and I get to be creative which is amazing. Some days I'm out of the salon working on photo-shoots etc., so it's nice to experience all aspects of hairdressing.
What motivates you?
That's a very good question, and to be perfectly honest I motivate myself. I'm not doing any of this for anyone else but myself. I don't want to be better than anyone else, and I'm not in competition with anyone else, I simply to do it to make myself happy. There are so many creative people in this industry who I look up to and admire, I love to see other people succeeding and doing well.
How do you integrate social media into your career as a hairdresser?
Social media has played a massive role in my career to date. I have got a lot of work from my social media accounts, people seeing my work and asking me to work on photo-shoots / fashion shows etc. I have also got a lot of clients from social media. It's a great platform to showcase your work and I think it's very important to portray your personality, as well as your work.
What has been your biggest career achievement to date?
That's a tough question, I don't think I could pick one as there has been so many. Winning the title of Republic Of Ireland L'Oreal Young Colourist 2014 was a huge moment for me, especially only two years into my hairdressing career. I was lucky enough to get to work on shows at Paris Fashion Week last October, as well as London Fashion Week in February of this year. I think that's every hairdressers dream and I was lucky enough to experience it. Also a shoot I worked on a few months ago was featured in British Vogue in March of this year, that was just mind blowing.
Have you any advice for people thinking of entering the industry?
Always follow your heart, have tough skin and don't let anyone walk over you. Everyone is unique and individual, embrace that and let your talents shine through.
Is there anyone that influenced you to take this career path?
No there actually wasn't anyone in particular who influenced me to take this career path, there's people that have influenced me along the way but nobody from the very beginning.
Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?
I hope to be as happy then as I am today. I hope to be as successful as I possibly can be, I want to inspire others to succeed and be the best possible version of themselves that they can be.
What is your pet peeve about working in the industry?
There are no pet peeve's as such, some people are very judgemental and not always in a good way. I have learnt to build a thick skin and block out the negatives and focus on the positives, because there is a lot of positive things that have happened to me and will continue to happen. I always try to see the good in every situation.
What do you do to relax and unwind after a long days work?
It depends on the day. Ha! I love to listen to music to unwind, anyone that knows me knows that I love Britney Spears, I love listening to her music as it helps me relax. I also love Lana Del Rey and Robyn. I love being by the sea, I think it's very soothing and it's a great way to unwind.
Make sure to follow Aidan on his Twitter and Instagram to see more of his amazing work.
YM.