7 minute read
MAKING HIS MARK...
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
MARK LEESON
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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 the ultimate title,” Mark confesses. “I cherrypicked the photographic team I knew could translate my vision, and just felt that we had the formula to make it happen.”
By the time he won the award in 2014, he’d notched up a truly outstanding track record of finalising for 32 British Hairdressing Awards and winning an incredible 14. On stage, as he accepted his much-wanted trophy, he reflected, “I’ve dedicated my life to hairdressing and to be recognised by my peers as the best in the country is incredible. This has been a dream of mine since the day that I started hairdressing and I’m living proof that if you work hard and don’t give up, you can achieve anything.”
No wonder when Revlon were casting for a Global Artistic Ambassador back in 2018, Mark’s name came top of their list. It signified an exciting new chapter for Mark too. He recalls seeing a claim that Revlon were creators of ‘the most beautiful hair colour in the world; “We tried it and loved what we saw and felt,” he says. With a desire to keep things fresh and inspiring, it was a dream partnership that has enabled him to take his abundant creativity in new directions.
Today, he relishes the opportunities it brings, for him plus a five-strong art team from his salons, to travel the world and fly the flag for British hairdressing. “It’s a great, forwardthinking brand,” he admits. “We are able to bring our fashion-inspired vision to the fold and enable them to see the industry through our eyes.” Without question, it’s a dynamic match.
The fact that Mark’s team is afforded every opportunity to further their own careers is testament to his generous and nurturing spirit. It’s a strategy which has ensured that they have gone on to emulate his success, winning multiple awards at the British Hairdressing Awards in the Men’s, Eastern and Midlands categories, as well as many others. “It’s true that we do have an incredibly strong and loyal team,” Mark acknowledges. “The truth is that the journey is not just about me though.”
Reflecting on the secret behind this fiercely dedicated and loyal team, Mark admits that his philosophy is centred around education and opportunities. “We are located in a town – not even a city – but our team get to travel the world and experience everything a career in hair can reward you with,” he says. “Everyone in the team plays a part in our success,” he adds. “We’re all involved and we’re on the journey together.” It’s not just his existing team he is keen to progress either; a Mark Leeson Apprenticeship program sees talent of the future progress under his generous care and tutoring. Plus, Mark educates for Revlon from an academy in Leeds.
Keen to share his knowledge and experience, Mark is pragmatic about the inevitable imitation of his work that is clear to see across the board at photographic collections and in other people’s salon imagery. “I take it as a compliment,” he says. “It’s true that our look, vibe and feel has become instantly recognisable. But it inspires us to keep trying new things while staying true to what we do. We’ve never stood still and will always continue to push boundaries.”
These days, as well as his high-profile role with Revlon Professional and training and mentoring the team around him, he is rightfully protective about carving out time and space for himself too. “I’ll spend two to three days a week in the salon, seeing loyal clients who have become long-standing friends,” he says, “then two days a week will be taken up with media commitments, PR and shoots.” The rest is spent with Richard, their dogs and perhaps planning a sunshine break or two.
When asked to sum up his career, Mark’s enthusiasm for his craft shows no signs of flagging. “I’ve already had such an immensely rich adventure and I feel so blessed and fortunate to have experienced all that I have,” he says. “Hairdressing has given me the greatest opportunities I could have wished for. I want to continue creating beautiful imagery that inspires other hairdressers and leaves our very own piece of history.”
