Alain Pichon is highly respected amongst the fashion crowd for his innovative, evolutionary approach to hair.
He has completed the dream journey from a local hairdresser to a international hairstylist, developing his skills in all areas of hairdressing: as an Artistic Director creating hairstyle product collections, as an academy teacher, hair show performer, product brand consultant, fashion show head stylist, editorial beauty hairstylist, advertising campaign session stylist, adviser on movie sets, as a BBC ‘Hair’ TV show adjudicator, celebrity hairstylist–he also made an art exhibition out of hair.
Alain practices all kinds of hair techniques from coloring, concocting treatments, hair extensions, unique wigs, refined cuts, technical settings, impressive finishes, still life art–anything really to do with hair flair.
Growing up in France with three older sisters, Alain was surrounded by a passion for fashion, magazines and beauty. His father, his grandfather and his great grandfather before him were barbers, so it seemed natural for Alain to follow in the family tradition. Only he was always going to be ultimately different.
At 16 Alain started as an apprentice in Cholet (France) at Michel Brosseau Salon. His master taught him the Vidal Sassoon haircutting technique and the Classic French hairstyling technique, both together would create the perfect foundation to what would become a fantastic journey. Alain’s main ambition was to work in England, land of creative hair. He arrived in February 1988 and first worked in a Guilford Salon called Clippers then moved up to London and worked for Toni & Guy where he very quickly became part of the early artistic team, creating collections, teaching fledgling hairstylists, performing groundbreaking hair shows and lectured all around the world. All under the mentoring collaboration of Anthony Mascolo, he went on to win British hairdresser and artistic team of 1988/89.
After five years Alain felt it was time to go freelance, as a session stylist. He personally wanted to have fun and be creative in the fashion industry. One of his first jobs was to create a Madame de Pompadour style powdered wig for a shoot, which he proudly achieved, only to be confronted with a model with a shaved head. He used double sided sticky carpet tape–in the end, this job secured him his first agent.
Once self employed, Alain hasn’t looked back, in love with his craft and independence.
His easy going nature and ability to express himself makes him popular with the press too and his years of teaching students at Toni & Guy set him in good stead for the mayhem of the shows. Both for communicating with his teams and the leagues of journalists eager to pen down his vision.
What makes him stand out is an ability to zone in on the zeitgeist and create hair that is breathtaking modern whilst always being beyond beautiful. Plus an easy going nature that makes him a firm favorite with all of those lucky enough to work with him. With so many great hairstylists, there is constant renewal in hairdressing and he loves the opportunity to make a difference and contribute creatively to where fashion is heading. That’s his true passion.
Prepping in his London studio allows Alain to create some of his most art minded work with an extraordinary range of shapes and objects from hair. Then using those creations as his inspiration for hairstyles. Always pushing the boundaries, creating sculptures of hair, modeled with gelatine, spray glue, all of which he exhibited to an awed audience during millennium fashion week.
Alain worked with world renown fashion photographers like Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, David Sims, Glen Luchford, Mert & Marcus, Mikael Jansson, Rankin, Karl Lagerfeld.
He collaborated with designers on fashion shows such as Prada Men, Calvin Klein Men & Women, Roland Mouret, Hugo Boss, Diesel, Akris.
He worked with advertising clients such as Dior Hommes, Prada, Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Celine, Sonia Rykiel, Moschino, D&G, Hugo Boss, H&M and David Beckham.
He has cooperated on film commercials with Wes Anderson (Prada – Candy), Wong Kar-way (Ralph Lauren – Notorious), Guy Ritchie (David Beckham – H&M), Nicolas Winding Refn (D Beckham – H&M bodywear) Matthew Vaughn (David Beckham – Jaguar).
As well as with A-list celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson (Red Carpet), Britney Spears (Toxic video), Kylie Minogue (Album cover), Björk (Editorial), Claudia Schiffer (Wedding), David Bowie, Sienna Miller, Sting and Trudie Styler, Gwyneth Paltrow (TV), Madonna, David and Victoria Beckham.
Alain also collaborated with many international magazines like Vogue UK US FR JP, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar UK US, W Magazine, V Magazine, Another Magazine, Dazed & Confused, c32d, 10 Magazine to name a few.
He worked on the design of the hair in the movie Snow White and the Huntsman.
He also worked with hair brands such as L’Oréal, Aveda, Tigi, Urban Tribe and Tresemme.
You can visit his personal website HERE
