ON T HE U P W IT H E R R O L DO UG L A S M B E
MEET
STEPHANIE BACELIC
Hairdressing chooses you like a bolt of lightning, and for me it struck at the age of just 10. Over 40 years later I’m still devoting everything I’ve got to this incredible industry. It’s been my lifelong ambition to represent this craft, and today when covid allows, I travel the world doing just that.
Globally recognised and with a host of awards and accolades – the most recent being International Hairdresser of the Year 2021, I also hold the prestigious title of Patron of Honour for the Fellowship for British Hairdressing – one of only four other hair stylists ever chosen to receive it. Whether on stage, behind the scenes at a shoot, educating, or acting as an ambassador, I continue to translate my passion and dedication into showcasing the best of global hairdressing. I’ve even been described as the King of Hair. I don’t know about that. But if you want to call me an icon, I’ll definitely take that compliment. In 2008 I achieved the ultimate honour when I received an MBE from HM The Queen for education and services to the hairdressing industry. Being recognised for my commitment to this professional has to be the pinnacle of all I’ve accomplished. In recognition of the emerging global talent surrounding me, my next key project is to bring you this feature. ON THE UP with Errol Douglas MBE is going to be spotlighting some of those talented individuals that are, most definitely the ones to watch. I had the good fortune to meet Stephanie Bacelic on a not so recent trip to London and since this time we’ve kept in contact, becoming firm friends. Stephanie has been hairdressing for 16 years, starting as an apprentice at the age of 15 she has literally lived and breathed the industry ever since. Currently you can find her working alongside her mum at her salon Chiseled Hair in Melbourne. As well as hairdressing, Stephanie enjoys the role of fitness coach which she feels is a very important part of her life. “My job is twofold”, says Stephanie, “I help people to glow both inside and out.” Stephanie has worked with some pretty incredible hairdressers in her time. Starting her career at Biba Hair in Melbourne, she 50
Hair Biz Year 15 Issue 6
learned the Sassoon way of hair, which has given her the most amazing foundational skills and fuelled a desire in me to want to learn and grow more. From there she worked alongside Joey Scandizzo and his team for almost 8 years, touring and styling with GHD hair, presenting on stages at Hair Expo, working with brands like Excellent Edges and more. She was also lucky enough to be able to shoot and work along with Andrew O’Toole who shot her winning image for Wella TrendVision which then saw her winning Young Talent and representing Australia in Madrid. “This was such a big highlight in my career as the winner for the colour category was her mum Sanja Scher, being able to experience this with her on an international stage was, she says, truly incredible.” Stephanie then took her skills overseas to London which is where we met and we’ve since become close friends. Working for herself in London she was lucky enough to experience the rushes of Fashion Weeks, collaborating with creatives all over the world, learning from so many amazing hair experts in the British Fellowship of Hairdressing, she grew overall into a more confident stylist. Her career so far has been nothing short of amazing, she’s just shot a collection for the Australian Hair & Fashion Awards 2021, and is planning on entering Victorian Hairdresser of the Year, which she’s extremely excited and proud of. I cannot wait to see what the next couple of years have installed for her. She plans on hopefully travelling overseas again for work and to network with other creatives, creating an online course so she can teach a wider audience and just have fun! I asked Stephanie if there was one piece of advice she would give to the younger generation: “Never compare your journey to anyone else’s, the sky’s the limit, surround yourself with people who bring you up, support you and help you believe that anything you want is possible. Know your why and never give up on you.”
