In the first of the series, Karoliina meets up with up-and-coming stylist LYDIA WOLFE from Jack & the Wolfe in Lymington. As part of the F.A.M.E Team 2022 she has been shaking things up with her bold take on colour, entrepreneurial outlook, and refreshing approach to education. Let’s hear it for Lydia!
HI LYDIA, IT’S LOVELY TO SEE YOU AGAIN. TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER… HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN HAIRDRESSING AND HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
I started hairdressing 11 years ago when I was 19. It was the tail end of the last and recession and I couldn’t find anyone willing to take me on as an older apprentice, so I went to college as a full-time hairdressing student – I paid for this out of my own pocket with a tax rebate.
Once I knew I wanted to be a hairdresser, nothing would stop me. I worked two jobs while I went to college and, after I completed my NVQ level 2, I found a salon that gave me a job one day week. So, I worked seven days a week, had three jobs AND college – I was knackered!But this experience definitely paid off because the salon eventually took me on fulltime; I worked there for seven years until I decided to fly the nest and open my own salon with my now-husband Jack.
HOW HAS YOUR YEAR IN THE FELLOWSHIP F.A.M.E TEAM BEEN?
Everything I ever dreamt it would be and more. I’ve had so many unbelievable opportunities and met so many incredible industry icons – sometimes I have to pinch myself.
HOW HAS IT CHANGED YOU AS A CREATIVE?
Aside from learning so many new techniques from my mentors – from colours and styling to product choice and even how to conceive ideas – I’ve also learnt how to approach hair much more freely as an artist, instead of simply being trained to stand behind the chair and create perfect hair for clients.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SALON.
I own the salon Jack & the Wolfe in the New Forest with my husband Jack. Currently, we are a team of nine.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR GREATEST ADVICE TO ANYONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT OPENING A SALON?
I can share so many experiences of what did and didn’t work for us – and there are many things I’m still learning now – but one of the most important pieces of advice I can give is to start off small. We didn’t borrow any money and started off as just me and Jack in a tiny one-room studio full of second-hand furniture. It was by no means the salon we envisaged, but we worked our way up and kept reinvesting to expand and improve the business to what it is now. This was amazing because we never had that added pressure of starting off with a mountain of debt.
IF YOU WERE OPENING A SALON RIGHT NOW, WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?
I probably wouldn’t do it pregnant again, ha ha ha! That was definitely a challenge –still worth it though. What I would advise however, would be to ensure you have as much of the infrastructure of your
day-to-day operations in place before you take on employees. People are happiest when they know where they stand and what is expected of them.
HOW DO YOU ORGANISE YOUR FAMILY/WORK LIFE BALANCE?
Very badly at the moment! It’s been a wild year of juggling a business and a family, whilst also pursuing my own creative goals. I’ve started to block one day a week off the salon floor to do any admin tasks and meetings. This stops me having to do it late at night after the little one is in bed, allowing me to focus more time on family. I then work two 12-hour days a week on the salon floor, which allows me a whole weekday off with my daughter before she starts school. Being a mum is just the best.
OH, I HEAR YOU. THE JUGGLE IS REAL!SO, TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS NEXT?
I’d love to follow in your footsteps Karoliina! Over the next couple of years, I’d really love to do more seasons and Fashion Weeks and cross over more into the world of sessions. But my ultimate dream is to lead my own artistic team as a salon.
I’M REALLY HONOURED YOU’D SAY THAT! HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR CREATIVE WORK?
I’ve been fashion obsessed since I was a little girl. You’ll find all the books in my house are about fashion, history, or photography. I always look to the runway –at fabrics, shapes and colours – for my inspiration.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU’RE A RISK TAKER IN YOUR WORK, BUT STILL KEEP THINGS BEAUTIFUL. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
I’d say a little bit commercial and a little bit goth, whilst always trying to combine natural and unnatural colours in interesting ways.
AS A FELLOW SALON OWNER, I’VE GOT TO SAY IT’S TOUGH OUT THERE AT THE MOMENT. HOW DOES OUR INDUSTRY LOOK TO YOU RIGHT NOW?AND HOW DO YOU SEE THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS FOR YOURSELF?
I think time will tell how we all recover from the pandemic and now this financial crisis – it’s definitely been tough and we’re not through the woods yet. Personally, I’ve had such an amazing year pursuing my own creative goals, and I would love to offer the same opportunities to my team. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such passionate creatives.
ARE YOU PLANNING TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS?
I think at some point our business does need to expand – we are situated in a very old and wobbly 350-year-old town house which just doesn’t have the chair space to continue bringing in new apprentices, and that is something we are passionate about.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
KMS Moist Repair Revival Creme!
WHAT COMPETITIONS ARE YOU PLANNING TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR?
My team are definitely entering the Global Creative Awards. As for me, I haven’t decided just yet. This year has been such a whirlwind, our feet haven’t touched the ground.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 16-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you not to pursue hairdressing and go to university. This is the career where all your dreams will be fulfilled.
TOTALLY AGREE. IN YOUR OPINION, HOW COULD WE MAKE OUR INDUSTRY MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN?
I think schools need to change the perception of hairdressing as a business for young people, as well as teaching children how many different industries can be accessed from a hair apprenticeship. Unfortunately, when I was at school hairdressing was perceived as a low paid job that could, at best, give you the chance to work on a cruise ship. I wish I’d known then what I know now – that you can be six years up the career ladder by the time your friends leave university and start their graduate job with student debt over their heads.
OUTSIDE OF SALON LIFE, HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR YOUR SELF CARE?
I try to get my nails done regularly – they get so dirty and covered in colour stains, which makes me feel really unprofessional!
WHO ARE YOUR HAIR HEROES?
Honestly, I know this is a cop-out answer, but I have too many to name. I would love to meet Guido one day.
IT’S BEEN SO LOVELY CHATTING TO YOU LYDIA. ONE FINAL QUESTION…WHAT IS YOUR TREND PREDICTION FOR THE YEAR AHEAD?
I’ve seen stripy highlights from the 2000s creeping back in with young people getting inspiration from TikTok. I wouldn’t be surprised if a more toned-down, natural version of those chunky, bold highlights make a comeback this year.
