H AIR LOOM
HAIRLOOM Published in 2015. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from HAIRLOOM. Printed and bound in Singapore
CONTENTS
FOREWORD By Calvin Gan PHILOSOPHY
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10
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12
1. FAMILY .......................................................................................................................................... Calvin Gan Peter Lee Terence Lai Michael Chiew Reno Tan Bosco Eng Fern Wong Shaylynn Lim Emily Tan Mervyn Lee Benjamin Leow Jinni Liao
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2. CRAFT ............................................................................................................................................. 132 3. CREATIVITY ............................................................................................................................. 140 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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162
Coiffeur Ă la mode
(french, expression) a hairstylist that’s in fashion, up to date.
FOREWORD
I am proud of how far HAIRLOOM has come since we started in 2008. We have grown so much in terms of our skills, our experience, and our business. Our passion for the craft grows stronger every day. More importantly, we’ve also grown as individuals and as a family. In these pages, we celebrate who we are and what we can do, while showcasing some of the talented creatives we work with. I hope you will get a sense of the joy and inspiration we feel in getting to do what we love, every single day!
CALVIN GAN
Creative Director
FOR EWORD 11
PHILOSOPHY
We believe in bringing out the unique personality of everybody who walks through our doors. Our emphasis is on creating looks that suit each individual and their lifestyles perfectly, and our intuitive and creative stylists are poised to make that happen through both natural talent and carefully-honed skill. We are guided by our dedication to Family, Craft and Creativity.
PHILOSOPHY 13
14
FA MILY
(n.) a group of people related to one another by blood or marriage; or a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common interests, attitudes or goals.
There’s no revolving door here – all stylists are in for the long haul, staying to learn their craft at Hairloom. We learn from each other, help each other improve our skills and make sure the environment at Hairloom is always warm, friendly and welcoming. It’s important that our customers feel at home with us.
FA MILY 19
CA LV IN GAN
“If you want beautiful hair, I can make that your reality.” CALVIN GAN Creative Director
Calvin founded HAIRLOOM in December 2008. Trained in the Vidal Sassoon cutting technique, his precise, clean and creative style is one of the best kept secrets in Singapore’s hair and beauty scene. With more than 20 years of experience under his belt, his specialty lies in co-creating a vision of the perfect look together with his clients and then bringing it to life flawlessly. Under his capable hands, attention to detail and refined skill, the looks he creates grow out gracefully and beautifully, never losing their shape nor style. From his work on high fashion spreads, live fashion shows, celebrity styling, bridal and day-to-day creation of wearable looks at the salon, the depth and breadth of his skill and experience grows richer and more vast every day.
FA MILY 27
“HAIRLOOM is like a family they make me feel very comfortable. I simply say “Calvin, you decide.” I pretty much leave my hair to him.” MINDEE ONG Artiste
MINDEE ONG Artiste
“When I walk into HAIRLOOM, it always feels like home. I take a seat, give Calvin the freedom to create, and I always end up loving it.” ROSALIND PHO Artiste
PETER LEE
“Sometimes changing something on the outside helps change people on the inside.� PETER LEE Creative Stylist
Peter has a talent for hard, edgy looks that are skewed towards the European. Ten years of wielding the scissors have helped him develop a keen eye of what works for each individual. Focused and creative, he is able to interpret looks from a variety of influences, from the Japanese-inspired to runway-worthy edginess. Peter is constantly developing his skills and creativity through fashion shoots and competitions, and enjoys the thrill of helping his customers look and feel good.
FA MILY 39
FA MILY 41
“Everytime I go into HAIRLOOM, I come out surprised. I’m rather conservative in what I want, and they’d suggest, ok why don’t you try this? And they’d do it - and I’m like, damn, that works! And people always love my hair.” OON SHU AN Artiste
OON SHU AN Artiste
TER ENCE LAI
Terence has helped many a customer change their look and walk out of Hairloom a new person. Tailoring a cut for a delighted customer still gives him the greatest satisfaction even after more than 12 years in the industry. Terence is guided by both skill and intuition. He is also friendly and personable and is able to put anyone at ease, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for an enjoyable experience at Hairloom.
48 FA MILY
“ Try something you never imagined you would; you may just end up loving it.” TERENCE LAI Leading Stylist
51
“The most unforgettable hairstyle well, all of them are very unforgettable. My hairstylist always gives me looks I never imagined I could wear! ” CHUNG KUN HUA YES 933 DJ
53
MICHAEL CHIEW
“Choose a hairstylist who understands what can help shape your appearance and complement your style.” MICHAEL CHIEW Leading Stylist
Michael has more than 12 years of salon experience under his belt. His forte lies in his ability to constantly come up with new and innovative looks for his customers, updating his interpretation of their unique personalities each time they come back. Having spent five years as an instructor for cut & style, his foundation in hair styling techniques is impeccable. He loves the experience of transforming his clients and looks forward to bringing beauty to their lives every day.Â
58 FA MILY
“My hairstylist is amazing. He would always tell me what my hair needs and how I should care for it. I love how my hair looks so healthy all the time because of HAIRLOOM! ” FARISHA ISHAK Singer
R ENO TA N
64 FA MILY
65
“ The challenge of transforming a person’s look is what truly excites me and fuels my passion as a hairstylist.” RENO TAN Stylist
Reno’s talent lies in helping each customer express their true self, and he is also wonderfully non-pushy and affable while he’s at it. He loves to embrace the new and adventurous, often pushing the envelope when it comes to developing his creativity in cut-and-style techniques. He is always sensitive to his customers’ needs, and his calm and steady energy often lulls them into a deep sense of peace and satisfaction. Each hair session with Reno will always be a relaxing and uplifting experience.
FA MILY 69
“What’s special about HAIRLOOM is that they take great care of their customers - they take note of the smallest detail, such as the shape of your face, your entire sense of style and then they’d come up with the best look that’s suited just for you.” JUNO LIN Singer, Songwriter
BOSCO ENG
“New hairstyle, new life! ” BOSCO ENG Stylist
75
Bosco has a strong, provocative style that is hard to ignore. While he has been learning the craft of hair styling since he was 16, what really drives him is the sense of being able to make someone feel good about themselves in such a seemingly simple way. It’s this feeling of helping people and making a difference in how they see themselves, that drives him to hone his skills every day. He also loves expressing his sense of style and creative intuition during shoots, especially when given the opportunity to create dramatic looks on models for fashion spreads or shows.
76 FA MILY
78 FA MILY
“The most memorable look that HAIRLOOM styled for me is the one for my album cover I looked just like a doll - sweet and girly!” BONNIE LOO MediaCorp Artiste
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FER N WONG
83
“With a healthy scalp, there will be beautiful hair.” FERN WONG Chemical Expert
Fern is experienced in perming, colouring and all kinds of other chemical-related procedures. She has a knack for responding to her customers’ needs and tailoring the results to suit what works best for their hair types. While Hairloom uses the best dyes and chemicals in the market, Fern’s expertise goes a long way in making sure that the colour stays vibrant, and that hair treatment processes leave customers’ hair feeling softer and smoother even longer. It’s safe to say that her attention to detail is unparalleled. For her, exceeding customers’ expectations is what gives her the greatest sense of achievement.
FA MILY 87
“I first came across HAIRLOOM during a makeover for contestants of The Final 1 singing competition. It was one of the first few times that I dyed my hair, and they gave me a little perm as well. It created a very different look, and my hair went up a lot easier too. They’re the go-to guys for my hair!” SHAUN JANSEN Singer
SH AY LY NN LIM
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“Colours can bring out people’s personalities and moods of the day.” SHAYLYNN LIM Technical Expert
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Shaylynn’s specialty at Hairloom lies in making sure every straightening and perm job turns out perfectly with her impeccable technical skills. She enjoys seeing customers walk out of Hairloom with beautiful hair, knowing she had a part to play in it. The favourite part of her job? Giving a customer a great shampoo and wash - it gives her great satisfaction to make sure her customer is happy, relaxed and satisfied.
94 FA MILY
“Everyone at HAIRLOOM is very friendly and professional.” HONG LING MediaCorp Artiste
HONG LING MediaCorp Artiste
EMILY TAN
101
“A great hairstyle works like magic; I aspire to work that magic on my customers every day! ” EMILY TAN Technical Expert
103
Emily knows the best way to turn out a perfect perm as a technical expert at Hairloom. She enjoys the creativity of the craft, and her greatest joy is helping to create all kinds of different looks for customers. As a child, Emily enjoyed creating looks for herself and her friends - so seeing her work on customers now is a dream come true! Her positive presence is a joy at Hairloom.
104 FA MILY
“To achieve the right colour for me, my hairstylist spent a lot of time perfecting it. I cannot be more pleased with the result!� IVY TAN YES 933 DJ
MERVYN LEE
“It doesn’t matter how big your dreams are; just go for it!” MERVYN LEE Technical Expert
Mervyn’s aunt was a hair dresser, and he grew up watching her work her magic on her customers. Inspired by his aunt, he wanted to pick up the trade too, but was met with initial opposition from his dad who had wanted him to go the academic route. Luckily, with his persistence, his father relented and Mervyn started learning the ropes when he turned 19. Nothing pleases him more than seeing a customer smile in satisfaction with their new look. As a quick and eager learner, he’s picking up coloring techniques, washing, and blow drying skills with ease. He looks forward to becoming a full-fledged stylist, one to be reckoned with in the next 5 years!
112 FA MILY
CHASE TAN MediaCorp Artiste and National Basketball Player
BENJA MIN LEOW
“Our passion for hair creation isn’t the only thing that binds us at HAIRLOOM. There’s also fun, creativity, team bonding, and most of all, love.” BENJAMIN LEOW Salon Manager
Ben is indispensable when it comes to creating a hospitable and welcoming environment at Hairloom. He makes sure that the salon floor flows smoothly, from the first moment a customer steps in the door to when they leave with a gorgeous head of hair. Ever considerate and attentive, he listens to customers’ needs, tends to their comfort, and ensures that they get whatever they need to make their experience at Hairloom an elevated one.
118 FA MILY
“HAIRLOOM treats me like part of their family, and that feels really heartwarming! ” NICK TEO MediaCorp Artiste
NICK TEO MediaCorp Artiste
JINNI LI AO
125
“Invest in a hairstyle made just for you.” JINNI LIAO Business Manager
Jinni works behind the scenes to make sure the salon runs like clockwork one of the most important roles there is at Hairloom! Her priority is in making sure every stylist is given the optimal environment and tools to better serve customers, and her pride lies in knowing she has a part to play in the stylists’ growth and ability to give their best every day.
128 FA MILY
“HAIRLOOM has very personalized stylists they will speak to you and find out about your preferences so that you will be very confident and comfortable in rocking your hair style. I always trust my stylists when they do my hair, because they always do their best.� LAI YI XUAN Violinist
131
CR A FT
(n.) an occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill. (v.) to make or produce (something) with care, skill, or ingenuity.
133
All stylists at Hairloom have been trained in the craft by creative director Calvin Gan. These skills are personal treasures stylists inherit over years of careful honing and perfecting, passed down from hand to hand. Hairloom’s stylists are constantly updating and refining their skills, keeping up with the latest and greatest, all to better serve customers and their changing needs.
CR AFT 135
CR AFT 137
CR AFT 139
CR E ATI V IT Y
(n.) the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.
141
ANGELA GUO Hair Model
We believe that hair is just another way of expressing individuality - one that is fun, flexible and full of endless possibilities. Nothing pushes our creativity more than the challenge of coming up with new looks for our customers each time they return to Hairloom. Each visit has the potential for transformation. This constant re-imagining, and making different creative choices that work time after time, is what fuels our imagination and drives us to give our best.
CR EATIV ITY 145
LENA LOKE Hair Model 147
ZAPHS ZHANG Hair Model
ESTHER LEE Hair Model
Our artistes often serve as inspiration - with them, and through them, we are able to express our creativity. We support a talented roster of artistes, working with them to create looks that help their stars shine brighter throughout their careers. From singers to actors, DJs to up-and-coming talents in the entertainment industry and beyond, we are proud that we get to play a part in their exciting journeys.
CR EATIV ITY 151
JOSÉ ANMER PAREDES JAIMES Mister International 2013
What inspires us? The answer is: “Everything”. From the mundane to the sublime - architecture to nature, street style to haute couture, all forms of art to the everyday bustle of city life - and we transmute all of that into beauty for our customers. That’s how we tap into our deep wells of creativity; beauty is everywhere around us, all we have to do is open our eyes and truly see. Hair is the canvas where we recreate this beauty in endlessly versatile, and ever-changing ways: from the avant-garde to the glamourous, edgy to the timeless and classic. Interpreting our customers’ personality in an infinite amount of ways, reinventing their look each time, brings out a side of them that even they had never imagined existed. That’s the spark of surprise and delight we strive for in every act of creation.
154 CREATIV ITY
Hairloom to us is really a place where we can use our skills in the service of love - for the craft, for family, and for helping our customers feel confident to step out boldly as their best selves. We help customers ask themselves: How do you wear your hair? Do you hide behind it - or allow yourself to shine with it? Do you see your hair as something to struggle with - or as one of your best assets, something that reflects your true confidence within? We hope that at Hairloom, we can help each and every one who steps through our doors to answer these questions, and to see that endless possibilities exist within every beautiful head of hair.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to everyone who contributed time, effort and skill to the making of this book. We also want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been on this journey with us: we couldn’t have made it this far without the support of our valuable clients, partners and fellow creatives in the fashion, beauty and media industries. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do our best work. HAIRLOOM truly could not exist without all of you.
ACK NOW LEDGEMENTS 163
STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY Joel Low INTERIOR & PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY Ace Chia MAKE-UP Bobbie Ng (HAIRLOOM team, Hong Ling, Chase Tan, Mindee Ong, Oon Shu An, Rosalind Pho) Sam Ong (Angela Guo, Bonnie Loo, Chung Kun Hua, Farisha Ishak, Ivy Tan, José Anmer Paredes Jaimes, Juno Lin, Lai Yi Xuan, Nick Teo, Shaun Jansen, Zaphs Zhang) STYLING Neo Li Rong CONTENT EDITOR Kerrie Li LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGN Chia Ru Yu