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Partnering for a Cause Jamie Lee Curtis collaborates with longtime friend and hairstylist Sean James PHOTOS BY CHRIS MORTENSON; CURTIS’ HAIR BY SEAN JAMES, MAKEUP BY GRACE AHAN
Santa Monica resident and actress, Jamie Lee Curtis, has partnered with her longtime friend and hairstylist, Sean James, for a collaboration between their brands. By Kamala Kirk hroughout the years, actress Jamie Lee Curtis and celebrity hairstylist Sean James have collaborated on many projects and iconic looks for her film and TV roles, among them “Halloween Kills,” “Freaky Friday” and “Knives Out.” The two first met when Curtis brought her daughter, Annie, in for a haircut at Fred Segal Santa Monica almost 30 years ago. “At the time I was going to a fancy hairdresser and my guy was out of town,” Curtis recalled. “After Sean cut Annie’s hair, I told him I needed a haircut too. I sat in his chair and when he finished, my mind was blown. I loved what he did and he’s cut my hair ever since.
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We’ve worked together on many movies and have been friends for a long time. He also cuts my husband’s hair and both of my daughters’ hair. He was at Annie’s wedding and will be at Ruby’s. Sean has become a part of our family.” James, who is represented by Aim Artists and works at Matthew Preece Salon in Santa Monica, is an award-winning celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Chris Hardwick, Eugene Levy, Cole and Dylan Sprouse, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. “When I first cut Jamie’s hair, she trusted me to give her a new look,” James said. “And over the years, I’ve helped create different looks for her various roles and projects. I’ve
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traveled the world with her and it’s been wonderful to be by her side for special moments in her life like when she received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy. We share a deep connection and my entire friendship with her has been a collaborative effort from the start.” Most recently, Curtis and James have partnered for a special collaboration between their brands, My Hand in Yours and Beach Blvd, to benefit an important cause. In 2019, Curtis launched My Hand in Yours, a line of handmade artisan gifts that provide comfort and support. From candles to small sculptures, all of the items are designed by artists and handpicked by Curtis, with 100% of
proceeds going to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “For years I would send little bronze feet made by sculptor Anne Ricketts as gifts along with a note that said, ‘Be where your feet are,’” Curtis said. “For someone going through a hard time, it would remind them to be present and help them stay grounded. My Hand in Yours is a phrase I always write on cards for friends and loved ones, it’s my way of saying ‘I love you.’ When I came up with the idea for the company, I approached Anne to make a small sculpture of two hands clasped together. I’ve been very blessed in my life and the purpose of My Hand in Yours is not to make more money, it’s to raise money for the Children’s Hospital. I pay
for all of the costs including manufacturing. If you spend $35 on a tote bag, all of that money goes towards the care of critically ill children. Every cent is sent.” “Jamie is an incredible philanthropist who has been working with Children’s Hospital for many years since I’ve known her,” James added. “When I think of Jamie, I don’t think of her as just a movie star. I think of her like a sister and someone who contributes and gives back to society. My Hand in Yours has such a great selection of beautiful gifts that provide people with closeness and love during these times of separation and isolation. The most important thing is that all of the profits go to Children’s
