2 minute read
Jill Lietz
A cut
A cut
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AboVe WHAT BECOMES A LEGEND MOST
JILL LIETZ | HAIR STYLIST
Interview & Photography by Charlie Price
You have been doing hair since the 1960s. That is quite something! How were salons and the industry different then?
Back in the 1960s I would see my clients once a week. Busy… you have no idea. I would work 7 days a week sometimes because even back then I wanted to always be open to new clients. I did shampoos, sets, backcombing, comb-outs, and hair spray all day! I would drive from Lansing, Michigan to Toronto, Canada once a month without fail to study with a great hairdresser at that time, Max Madison. I was so fortunate to be in his presence.
What was it like to be trained by living legend Trevor Sorbie? You were a core member of his American team. That must have been a heady time, no?
Trevor Sorbie… Wow! Even now I feel so grateful for just knowing him and that I can call this great mentor my friend. Trevor had a standard of excellence and accepted nothing less. I learned that if you want something bad enough, it was achieved by practice, practice, and practice. As painful as it was sometimes, I would not change a thing. The amazing community of fellow hairdressers whom I hold now as valued friends came from the Trevor Sorbie tribe. Ruth Roche is my BFF, whom I met on day one of my auditions with Trevor... it was love at first sight.
What current hair trends do you love and which do you loathe?
I love everything beautiful, with integrity to the work. I try to look at something always with non-judgment especially if it hits me with “shock”. I love to be shocked! It is different, almost scaring me at first, then I calm down and try to figure out how it was done. What I “hate” is bad taste or no soul in the work.
If you were a haircut which one would you be?
If I were a haircut… hmmm, very disconnected, crazy bits all over the place but within all that a strong structure, somewhere. You asked!
What has been the top three moments of your career thus far?
Only name three? Not possible! Being on the Trevor Sorbie Artistic Team. Winning NAHA 4 times. My Lifetime Achievement Award. Being a Master Stylist. Being part of the artistic team of the Beauty Underground as they are my Tribe, my family!
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