Africa is chic! Interview of Stéphane Scotto Di Cesare about his last collection.

High in colors, the last Spring Summer collection by Stéphane Scotto Di Cesare warms your heart! Between tribal inspiration and primary art, the hairstyles are eclectic. Exclusive interview of this great artist.

Sara Svati

Livecoiffure : Could you tell us about your last collection?

Stéphane Scotto Di Cesare : Generally, I create my collections according to a demand. I’ve been contacted by the company Coco Crystal, who is a friend of mine, she game me free rein regarding the hair creation on the models. I created these hairstyles in the context of an African festival. I had 12 hairstyles to create and the aim was to highlight the “ tribal fashion “ side. I was passionate about art and especially primary art, it was for me a pure joy to develop my artistic sense with her! We developed a project and Crystal contacted Helmer Joseph, a very famous Quebec creator designer so we could collaborate together. I did some researches on the ancestral African tributes, I readapted them and actualized them. I drew, imagined my hairstyles with Helmer. We were in contact for a few weeks and with the rest of my team, we would go regularly at his place to make adjustments. We created the collection in about ten days.

Livecoiffure : How do you proceed to create your hairstyles?

Stéphane Scotto Di Cesare : I like creating several hairstyles at the same time, they “rest” in my workshop at home and when I pass in front of them, I modify a few things. I never go very fast in my process or finish a hairstyle from A to Z.
There are hairstyles which were created faster than others and some of them, I prefer make them ripen. When there is an obstacle, I solve my problems by talking with other art lover and even with person out of this world. My friends tell me what they think about my hairstyles even if they pretend to not know anything about this world, I like having an external and honest advice.
My young girls often give me their opinions and when one of them say : “ Dad, it’s beautiful”, I know that I have to question myself straightaway [laughter] My only desire if that people say “Wow! “ when they see my creations.

Livecoiffure : Where did your inspiration come from?

Stéphane Scotto Di Cesare : This is something inside me.

Every day, I look around me and I borrow some parts of life to adapt them in my collections. Since I was young, I’ve been going to museums, I love archeology, painting, any kind of art. I’ve always loved primary and tribal art, I have African masks at home and it guided me a lot. I did a lot of researches on the tributes from South Africa, the Zoulous, the Maasaï and they inspired me a lot! I walk and eat art, I do researched in my software. I like colors, animals, armor...I try to create something new each time. It is important to know how to renew.
For me, it is even better if you have narrative and historical elements, success comes with these two ingredients! Anyway, my creations always have a link with my past and I always add a new and funny element.

Livecoiffure : Could you explain us briefly how you “technically” proceeded to create your hairstyles?

Stéphane Scotto Di Cesare : It was very interesting to play with several materials, I wanted to invent something completely different. I made hairstyles with turban, African dolls.
It was exciting to sculpt the fabric. I really liked working with the material. I want, in the future, be closer to the milliners. I made a few hairstyles with patterns, others with pottery. I used a lot of recyclable materials like iron, bottle caps, old leather, washers, feathers… and even a lampshade!

Coiffures: Scotto Di Cesare
Photos: Mathieu Charrois
Designer ( styliste ) : Helmer Joseph
L'organisatrice : Cristal pour Coco cristal