By Leanne Cutler, Hair Shots 2 The World

This year’s NAHA Avant Garde finalists give us the lowdown on their latest extreme hairstyling… they stem from all over North America … Utah, New York, Portland and Mexico …

Nicholas French

Matrix Artistic Director, Fifth Avenue, New York

What is your driving motivation to do Avant Garde hairstyling?  Was there a person who inspired you?  I AM INSPIRED BY ARTISTS, MUSIC AND FILM

How did you set your themes for your NAHA finalist collection? A TRIBUTE TO THE WARRIOR WOMEN OF THE 15TH CENTURY

What were the biggest challenges in creating the hairstyles and at the shoot? THE BIGGEEST CHALLENGES WERE CREATING INCREDIBLE SHINE, BALANCE, PROPORTION AND SHAPE WITH REAL HAIR.

Do you use wigs built into the model’s hair or both?  What is your preference and why? EACH PIECE OF HAIR IS MADE INDIVIDUALLY, AND IS 100% HUMAN HAIR.  THEN IT IS ATTACHED TO FOUNDATIONS THAT I MAKE

What is the role of photoshop in an Avant Garde photo collection?  What is its place? THERE IS NO ROLE.  I USE HARDLY ANY AS I DO NOT BELIEVE IN IT.  I CREATE SHOWS ALL OVER THE WORLD WHERE THESE PIECES ARE SEEN LIVE AND REPRESENT THE PHOTO.

How does completing an Avant Garde shoot help with your salon business?  Does it help get dollars through the door? I HAVE HAD 3 SALONS IN MY LIFE AND HAVE FOUND THAT AVANT GARDE WORK CREATES SUCH A BUZZ WITH THE PRESS THAT IT IS ASPIRATIONAL FOR CLIENTS TO SEE THAT.

Do you apply any of the techniques and skills from this collection in your salon? ALL ASPIRATIONAL TECHNIQUES HAVE A TRICLE DOWN EFFECT I.E. BY BLADES OF GRASS TECHNIQUE CAN BE USED AS A HEAD BAND ON VERY NORMAL HAIRSTYLES AND IS VERY UNIQUE.

What is your favorite hairstyling tool when doing Avant Garde hair?  What are your favorite materials that you incorporate apart from natural hair? MY FAVORITE HAIRSTYLING TOOL IS MY HANDS.   I RECENTLY STARTED TO USE STENCILS IN MY HAIRSTYLES WITH AN AIR BRUSH.

What are four tips that you would give to hairdressers wishing to do their first Avant Garde photo shoot? 1.  NEVER TRY TOO HARD   2.  KEEP IT SIMPLE, KEEP IT GOOD   3.  HAVE A IDEA THAT IS NEW AND FRESH  4.  IT IS NOT A FANTASY, YOU ARE CREATING FINE ART.