Opinion column by Christophe Gaillet, an exceptional hairdresser

Christophe Gaillet is this hairdresser from Biarritz who travels the world to share his passion with others professionals.

Famous for his works of art which achieve the unanimity during prestigious shows for l’Oréal Professionnel or the Haute Coiffure Française, Livecoiffure wanted to know more about the creations and about his last trophy received in Bologna the last week-end.

Yes, I have my ritual, my process. It is a three-step process. At the beginning, I need images, ideas. For that reason, I think I’m not a creator because I transform which exists. These searches are made via internet, magazines, and works of art. I am a fan of Dali, Magritte. I love surrealism, the transformation, the evocation. My tool: the hair. The second step is dedicated to work the shape, the texture, the color. Then I end up with the drawing, in black and white. My last step of the process is the technical reflection. Which tie, which support, all these things you must control so you don’t have to think too much in the wings because I have a very short preparation time. It remains an unknown part during the show : 20 to 30 %. It is the time of the emotion, the weakness. This weak side shows the reality of the work . My motto: each hairstyle tells a story…

Today, my liberty is the transmission, the sharing. I love these moments of exchange because I have an intrinsic need to evolve in a tribe ! And I’m lucky because I go every continent. It is a real self-enrichment to know different cultures. It is my mission. I share and I’m given one hundred times more things. Our commune denominator, passion. And don’t forget also that before the art there is the control of the technique. You can’t evolve in that profession – and the others- without the knowledge of the technical and historical heritage.

Surpassing myself ! I always need to prove to myself that I can push again and again my limits. And that trophy given by the International Association Presse Professionnelle Coiffure at the Cosmoprof of Bologna is a real pride for me. An added value. What I feel, for example, a mountaineer climbs to the top of the Mont Blanc and once arrived, alone, he screams with joy because he did it but no one can hear him… accept himself.