Nicholas French is based between the Hamptons, New York and Palm Springs, California.
He followed his fathers ( Freddy French, French of London) footsteps into the hairdressing world.
He has produced over 1,500 education shows and seminars worldwide.
French is presently the consultant/artistic director for Matrix/L’Oréal.
His hair creations have been featured in magazines such as Vogue UK-Australia, Harpers, Cosmopolitan, Marie-Claire, Elle, Glamour, Harpers Bazaar, Redbook, Oprah, OK, American Salon, Modern Salon, Hairdressers Journal UK, Irish Hairdresser and Estetica.
Nicholas himself has appeared on tv shows such as Fashion tv, Oprah Winfrey show, e Chanel, Good day New York channel 5, Today show channel 4 and as a judge for pilot hair battle spectacular.
He has worked closely with celebrities over the years such as dame Judi Dench, Twiggy, Jerry Hall, Paul Hogan, Elizabeth Hurley, Shirley Bassey, Peter Sellers and Catherine Deneuve.
French’s work was inducted in two hairdressing icon books called “From Salon to Celebrity ” and “Top 50 Hairdressers”.
He was a 4 time Winner at NAHA (North American Hairstyling Awards) for Avant Garde hair in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 and 8 times Finalist.
Bio Ionic awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Voted #1 Platform Artist (USA) by Beauty Entertainment Magazine.
Nicholas who or what inspires your beautiful hair creations, your avant-garde looks in specific?
I seek my inspiration away from hair. My last influence was Jackson Pollock a great 1950’s American artist who’s home and studio I visited. I immediately started creating hair with a similar feel and texture using his pouring and drizzling techniques that he used to create color.
Can you tell me a bit about your Skyfall Acadamy in Palm Springs?
It was always a dream of mine to have a creative exchange retreat for hairdressers where the focus was developing hair art in it’s purest form in a unique and beautiful setting. I have always found creativity very limited in hotel facilities so with that in mind I acquired a property in Palm Springs set high in the Cahuilla Hills overlooking Barry Manilow’s estate. SKYFALL is a circular home designed by famous architect R. Denzil Lee in 1963. In August this year I am hosting three 2 day events called ICONS AND LEGENDS with the fabulous Martin Parsons, Vivienne Mackinder and Damien Carney. For more info and to book www.nicholasfrench.com/education
What are your favorite styling products at the moment?
Raw Biolage by Matrix
What words of wisdom do you give to new aspiring hairstylists?
As a young hairstylist you have signed up for a lifetime of eternal gathering of knowledge. I am still learning something new every day. My rationale is “WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I CREATED SOMETHING NEW FOR THE FIRST TIME” and ‘DON’T IMITATE INNOVATE” and “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP”. Sometimes you have to go through bad times to get to the good times.
