DANNY

40 YEARS OF FABULOUS: CELEBRATING MY FRIEND MARK LEESON’S HAIRDRESSING LEGACY

AS WE STEP INTO 2025, WE JOIN MARK LEESON IN CELEBRATING AN INCREDIBLE MILESTONE—40 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING. OVER THE DECADES, MARK HAS NOT ONLY TRANSFORMED THE HAIR INDUSTRY IN THE UK BUT HAS ALSO MADE A SIGNIFICANT MARK ON THE GLOBAL STAGE.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into Mark’s remarkable journey, exploring the passion, creativity, and dedication that have propelled him to create one of the most iconic hair brands in the world. Join me as I reflect on the highlights of his illustrious career and the fabulous impact he continues to have on the art of hairdressing.

Reflecting on Your Journey What inspired you to pursue a career in hairdressing, and how has your passion evolved over the past 40 years?

My journey was by chance really… I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I left school although I knew it needed to be something creative and hairdressing just happened.. and from the very first day I was hooked… my passion for the industry hasn’t waived really and 40years down the line I’m still as passionate and creative as I was then perhaps even more so

Industry Changes How have you seen the hairdressing industry change since you started, and what do you think has been the most significant shift? The industry continually changes and shifts and you see so much resurgence of different influences over the decades but I think the biggest shift has definitely been social media and the various platforms available that we communicate on. I’m certainly more old school and a bit of technophobe so although I know it’s an essential tool, I’m still learning lol

Creative Process Can you walk us through your creative process when designing a new hairstyle or collection? What influences your work?

Please note, this column is the opinion of the columinst and not that of GNI or Romeo & Julian

My brain is constantly looking at new ideas and visions which then leads to researching fashion trends, catwalks and designers and then I usually sketch out my ideas. Then collectively we break those ideas down and decide what works and what doesn’t and how it translates down. Then say if it was a new collection, I would then adapt my models to suit the looks I want to achieve and every detail is then planned in terms of lighting, make up and fashion to complement my vision

Awards and Recognition You’ve received numerous awards throughout your career.

Which one holds the most significance for you, and why?

I’ve been more than fortunate and been awarded some of the most honoured awards around the globe but I guess winning British Hairdresser of the Year has been the pinnacle as it’s not only recognised in the Uk but respected throughout the world

Mentorship Have you had any mentors who shaped your career? How important do you think mentorship is in the hairdressing industry?

Mentorship is my thing and I love nothing more than nurturing new talent, extending someone’s skillset and boosting their confidence. I’ve always trained , nurtured and hopefully inspired right from the start of my career and as my career has developed so has my passion for mentoring and this has played a key role in my own development and with my relationship with my partnered manufacturers. My career started in the 80’s and I was surrounded by talent and it was the age of icons like Trevor Sorbie and the high-profile London stylists that really set the trends and everything you wanted to aspire to so there was plenty of inspiration out there

Trends and Techniques What current trends in hairdressing excite you the most, and how do you stay updated with new techniques and styles?

I’ve always believed that hairdressing is so personalised to the individual that anything can be a trend. I think having a strong foundation and skill set really enables you to keep evolving as hair is just a material and a canvas and once you’ve learned that then anything is achievable.

I actually love watching and learning from my younger art team members as they bring a different approach and ethos to their game and that is inspiring in itself

Client Relationships How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your clients, and what role do they play in your creative process?

Again, I’ve been so lucky… many of my clients that I still do now have been with me for over 30years and some clients that still come to the salon have been coming for over 40years so I guess that is a testament not only to myself but to my team and salon.

I always like to put a twist on my creativeness whether it be on a shoot or whether I’m doing a catwalk show and especially when I’m educating. Breaking things down so that people can relate to it and allowing elements to be client friendly is essential as at it allows you to make small updates with clients so they believe there are moving with you and part of fashion etc

Challenges Faced: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?

I think my biggest challenge was when I was ill and had to take over a year out from work. Surprisingly it really knocked my confidence and belief in myself. I think the pressure of not being in the salon even though I knew the team were outstanding in my absence plus the fact I didn’t know whether I would ever be back working behind the chair again really affected me but thankfully I soon regained it all the minute I went in in my first day back.

I also think managing people’s expectations and careers gets harder as time goes on as people’s needs and aspirations are much more vocalised and everybody wants everything yesterday and in the real world it just doesn’t happen like that and so that’s tough balancing that

Advice for Aspiring Hairdressers: What advice would you give to young hairdressers just starting out in the industry?

I think embrace as much of the industry as you can and learn and listen to a varied mix of hairdressers. Every day is a school day and there is always something new to learn. Be a sponge and absorb as much as you can.

Future Aspirations: As you celebrate 40 years in the industry, what are your goals for the future? Are there any new projects or initiatives you’re excited about?

I’ve recently rejoined the Goldwell family as their ambassador and so there are lots of exciting new projects coming up.

I love creating new collections and education is still paramount to what I do.

As a salon we continue to create collections to enter competitions etc and of course I would love to be crowned British Hairdresser of the Year again. I’ve still so much more I want to achieve not just for myself but also for my team so I’m super excited for what’s to come.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mark Leeson for taking the time to participate in the interview. Your insights and perspectives were invaluable, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to learn from your experiences. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

Danny Malone Theunderdogdm