Sébastien Allary: This hairdresser from Lyon was elected Meilleur Ouvrier de France.

Livecoiffure: How did you start your hairdressing career ?
Sébastien Allary : I am the third generation of hairdressers, my grand-father and my father were a hairdresser before me. It became a passion very soon. My parents would take me to the salons with them. Even when I was a child, I would love that ambiance, I couldn't style but I had my role: I would give the hair curlers, sweep... This is a family history. Then, I followed a traditional career, CAP, BP and I did my apprenticeship in my father's salon before practicing in other salons. I became independent at the age of 22-23. I then participated to competitions, the French championships receiving many awards.

Livecoiffure: Could you tell us about your "Saga Coiffure" salon in Lyon ?
Sébastien Allary : Saga Coiffure are before everything the initials of my family: The S of Sébastien, the A of Alexandre my brother, the G of Gérard my father and the A of Alexandre my surname. We will soon renovate the salon. We have clients who are very faithful, it's been 10-15 years they have been coming to our salon because they like the security and we already know very well their hair, haircuts and preferences. Once we identified very well the need of these clients, it is easier for us.
However, we must keep innovating because the clients need change. For example, it was moving to follow the life of a woman first student then who came for her wedding and then who needed another haircut for her job... this is amazing to accompany her !
Each woman tells us things: Haircut, haircolor and secrets... Gradually over the year, they want to project a different image of themselves. That's why you must feel these women to better adapt yourself and satisfy their demand.

Livecoiffure: You were elected Meilleur Ouvrier de France, could you tell us about that experience ?
Sébastien Allary : Well we are many to be part of the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. In the hairdressing field, it happens every 3 years. It's been 18 years there wasn't any in Lyon. With 25 years of experience, I was a bit bored so I decided to participate to the competition of MOF in 2013. I worked twice as hard with regular trainings in the Lyon region, approximately three times a week and every week end and twice in Paris every two months. For the semi final, there were 85 registered persons and then 18 persons were selected for the finals.
Then comes a one year training during which you have to create male and female haircuts, wedding hairstyles and two haircuts on a couple with a different theme each year. This year, the theme was the architecture of the future, the most impressive visual trial. You must then make a report by means of a video being completely anonymous. We had to choose an architecture which inspired us and to explain the creative process. I took the museum of Guggenheim in Bilbao, fascinated by its curved construction.
The most emotional moment is not really the dedication but the day of the competition, this is something one live just once in a lifestyle. I have never felt such a pressure ! Many persons have been dedicating to that competition and a lot of work and money were invested. The trick is to know how to manage stress, to remain calm. Some candidates choose acupuncture, other homeopathy or have a mental coach to manage this pressure. At that moment 3 years are brought Into the open, this is it!
The day I knew I was Meilleur Ouvrier de France, it was a real pleasure that I shared with all the persons who supported me in every sense of the word. [laughter].
I called my father to tell him the news, I was very proud, everyone is then rewarded: I have been working with a beautiful team with which I have been training a lot at the hairdressing school of Lyon. I was surrounded by amazing models who took a lot of their private life time who would come three times a week very late at night and even on Sunday ! The models are essentials because we work on persons not objects ! We must create a relation with them, this is very important. My models, my coach and my assistant have the same right as me to have a part of the medal. Nobody is strong enough alone to receive that prize !
The human adventure is as important as the new knowledge I acquired. All of that makes you grow up, makes you more indulgent, it is something make you progress even if it was difficult, you must never give up, we are always at the edge of desertion, you must be ready psychologically to absorb all that quantity of work. You must be humble, question yourself. Even if we are all professionals with 15-20 years of experience, this remains a new learning. Other persons transmit us their knowledge, it is amazing ! I am today at the spiritual and human level better than two years ago ! The official ceremony in the Sorbonne was very moving. I realized at that moment what was happening, I burst into tears.

Livecoiffure: What are your projects for the next year ?
Sébastien Allary : I started to get bored as I was telling before and after that long work of 3 years and that dedication as MOF, I rediscovered my profession, it has become a real passion ! I am planning to work for brands: they need professionals to provide trainings.
I also want to set up an Academy with my associate to offer training on haircuts and chignons to professionals. Being Meilleur Ouvrier de France means receiving a knowledge from old hairdressers and retransmitting it in my turn !I also have a project which is dear to me, travel the world in order to promote French hairdressing ! I would like to make that project come true at a moment of my life.

Sébastien ALLARY Coiffeur Créateur
226 et 243 rue Paul Bert
69003 LYON
www.allary-coiffeur-createur.com