INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
MAKING HIS MARK By Julie Bellinger-Gibb
As Global Artistic Ambassador for Revlon Professional, Mark Leeson is a name synonymous with glamorous, wearable hair. We look back at the journey that has shaped this glittering career and find out why his signature look is a formula he’ll never deviate from.
Possibly best known for his immaculately executed photographic collections, Mark Leeson’s iconic style saw him scoop the coveted British Hairdresser of the Year title in 2014 and pick up the accolade of International Hairstylist of the Year in 2020. Mark’s photographic work is highly regarded throughout the world, combining technical expertise with commercial appeal, and cutting-edge precision with flawless, feminine style. Much emulated and instantly recognisable, he has created an entire brand with beautiful hair as its hallmark. Starting out at the age of 16, Mark’s career began in the 1980s at a time when hair was the epitome of personal expression, thanks to bands including Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran. “All the guys were having colour in their hair and it was a great time to be entering hairdressing’ says Mark. ‘There were no limits when it came to your imagination.” Perhaps offering a clue to where the future precision emerged, a young Mark honed his presentation skills as a leading platform artist in his early career. A commanding manner on stage at shows and seminars is matched with exacting finesse and creativity. Demanding unflappable skill under scrutiny, performing in front of a packed audience no doubt shaped his ability for conjuring up incredible hair at the drop of a hat. Mark fulfilled a career ambition in 1996, when he opened his first eponymous salon in Mansfield with partner Richard Darby. The signs of a successful future in hair were clear to see when Mark won his first hairdressing competition way back in 1984. But after spending 12 years with
the John Hawley salon group, graduating from salon junior to shop manager and eventually becoming an educator, he jumped at the chance to buy one of their salons. “I saved for a long time to buy the business and worked extremely hard,” he explains. “Seeing Mark Leeson above the door was incredible. It was a good move. Within two years I had trebled the turnover.” Ten years of staggering success followed and in 2006, Mark and Richard secured a larger site in order to cater to an ever-growing client list. With a proven formula for full columns, the duo allowed all their richest fantasies of a super salon come to life. Mark Leeson Hair, Body and Mind offered the ultimate hairdressing experience - a luxurious and tranquil setting in which clients can enjoy top-to-toe treatments, carried out in a space spanning over 3,000 square feet. Just under ten years later, in 2015 Mark grew his empire and opened a second salon in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, managed by his protégé and multi-award-winning member of the Mark Leeson Art Team, Shaun Hall. Today, the same style that was honed in his early career has become synonymous with the Mark Leeson brand. Indeed, his two thriving salons maintain a fully-booked status – even following the fallout from two lockdowns - due to that intuitive understanding of ‘simply great hair’ that his clientele have unsurprisingly fallen in love with. Alongside growing the Mark Leeson business, Mark had an increasing hunger for winning awards. Already three-times winner of Eastern Hairdresser of the year at the British Hairdressing Awards (and earning a place amongst the industry’s elite in the British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame) he set his sights on winning British with a determination that could only result in success. “For me, it was
