4 minute read
10 MINUTES WITH PAIGE CAMERON
By Anne Russell
In 2015 at the age of 16, Paige Cameron began her dream of working in the art of hairdressing. She started her school-based apprenticeship. After being told by some teachers at school ‘hairdressing isn’t a job, it’s a hobby’ she wanted to prove them wrong. So, she decided to leave school at the end of year 10 to pursue this dream further. Paige has now been a team member of Cobelle Creative since 2017.
AHIA 2023 New Creative Talent winner and fellow Hot Shots Alumni, Anne Russell, spends 10 minutes chatting with Paige about the industry and her AHIA 2024 win of New Creative Talent!
How do you feel about taking out the title New Creative Talent 2024?
Taking home the New Creative Talent 2024 award is incredibly validating and exciting for me. It reaffirms my commitment to creativity and inspires me to push boundaries further in my work. I feel grateful for the recognition and motivation to continue evolving, collaborating with others, and contributing to the industry in meaningful ways. This title encourages me to embrace new challenges, and to keep exploring new innovative ideas.
What inspired your collection?
When creating this collection I was Inspired by deep-sea corals. I intentionally selected a dark environment and used UV lights to enhance the ethereal luminescence, creating a captivating visual experience. I guided my team to envision a UV shoot that highlighted the stunning glow of this underwater wonder.
To maintain balance, we chose minimal, natural makeup that complemented the intricate hair designs, keeping the focus on the elaborate hairstyles and adding harmony to the overall look. Ultimately, my vision directed the team to craft a captivating synergy between the glowing beauty of deep-sea coral, UV lighting, and meticulously designed hairstyles.
What do you enjoy most about being a hairdresser?
I love how a hair service can change someone’s day. It empowers individuals, uplifts their spirits, offers a means of self-expression and most importantly makes people feel and look good. This career allows me to channel my creativity while making a positive impact on my clients, team, and workplace.
I enjoy styling and thinking outside the box, using various methods and materials to create imaginative art, in addition to how you can express yourself and tell a story with hair. Although I also have a deep passion for colour transformations. I love seeing the smile on my clients faces when they rediscover their outer beauty.
It’s incredibly rewarding to challenge myself creatively and craft the perfect shade that truly resonates with each client. Additionally, I find foiling to be a peaceful process that allows me to focus and refine my technique, making it one of my favourite aspects of the craft. Each of these skills brings me joy and fulfilment, as they enable me to make a positive impact on my clients’ lives.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by artists who show no boundaries or limits to their determination and passion. Justin Anderson has set his place as one of the most coveted celebrity stylists in Hollywood. I love his story and am intrigued by how his fascination with hair from an early age developed into his passion and craft.
I also admire the works of Mark Van Westerop, for their creative foresight and ability to take inspiration from an environment, story or cultural observation and make it applicable to hair. I love this inventive side of the industry and hope to explore it further.
What’s next for you?
I have lots, but a future goal of mine is to continue to grow and evolve with time. I envision myself as a world-recognised talent. A lifelong dream of mine is to travel and collaborate with the people who inspire me in the industry. As a young professional, I strive to immerse myself in opportunities that foster my growth as a hairdresser and build my presence in the industry.
I’m eager to learn from diverse experiences and make meaningful contributions along the way. As I grow, I hope to one day be someone else’s idol and inspire future hairdressers to push the boundaries, just like my idols inspire me.
@paigei01 @annerussell_
