Mark Hayes’ passionate approach to hair design, combined with an unrivalled technical expertise, has inspired hairdressers at Sassoon for over 40 years. In his role as International Creative Director, he travels all over the world coaching, teaching and inspiring.

We could give you “official” biography for Mark but let us just say this… He has been on our Hair Nerd’s Most Wanted List for quite some time. So the fact that we somehow tricked him into being interviewed…2020 is turning around kids.

Tell us your life story in 3 sentences.

Grew up on the outskirts of London in the 60s and 70s, interested in art, design, music and fashion.

Aged 12 I went with my sister to see David Bowie in concert, it was a life changing evening…

Dropped out of architectural engineering college to join Sassoon, the rest is history!

Is there a moment from the early part of your career that really sticks out?

I first met Vidal in 1977 as a 16 year old assistant, having joined Sassoon a matter of months earlier. Vidal was visiting the UK and had requested to meet the London apprentices. We assembled after work and Vidal, instead of using the platform that had been prepared for him, chose to sit in our midst. I have never forgotten how he opened his address; he looked around the room, paused, smiled and said, “Ah, now I get to talk to the important people.” Having the figurehead of the company take such care and consideration with the most junior members made me feel extraordinarily proud and was my first experience of the incredible charisma that Vidal possessed.

Why Sassoon?

I was going to go to college to study hairdressing, but an aunt who was a client at Sassoon said, “Oh no, don't go to college, you should go to Vidal Sassoon.” 43 years later it seems like it was good advice!

What about Sassoon drew you to it?

Firstly it was the atmosphere and the environment- a mixture of fabulous fun and intense study.

You recently launched the Sassoon Online Membership site. What about this is so special?

Sassoon has a legacy and philosophy like no other and our new online programme reinforces this pedigree. Sassoon online features all of the hallmarks of Sassoon education delivered by the best minds and hands in the business and allows us the opportunity to offer bespoke training in the comfort of the learner’s home, salon or school through a variety of formats.

Why should people join?

Imagine having the opportunity to learn new techniques, one to one with any one of the talented SASSOON Creative team without leaving your home or sharing the experience with your salon team or even in a school classroom, our new Sassoon online platform takes education to the next level.

Membership of Sassoon online gives access 24/7 to our entire step by step library including our landmark ABC mens, ladies and colouring technical series as well as our academy and salon collection step by step material.

Pre-recorded streaming content under a variety of headings will be featured and will contain lectures, presentations, talks and demonstrations on a variety of fascinating subjects to take you on a creative journey like no other.

‘Sassoon Talks’ provides a chance to hear the thoughts of the Creative Team on subjects such as the Sassoon Heritage, suitability, consultations, trend reports plus a host of other subjects.

The package will feature collection launches as they happen, the opportunity to be backstage with the team as well as enjoying a front row experience when the team are on stage.

Short interactive pieces entitled ‘Sassoon Detail’, are another feature of the online platform and demonstrate a specific area of a cut or colour technique, so expect to see the treatment and execution of different types of fringes; weaving and folding the perfect foil; working with lines, graduation and layering; control of scissor and clipper over comb and many, many more.

All of this is for just US $19 or GBP £15 per month!

We are also compiling an online schedule, so that any class that we currently offer at our academies, from ABC beginners to collection inspiration, can be taken online.

** Hair Nerd Note - UM, are we the only ones FREAKING out over the incredibleness of this?!

As travel halted all over the world, what have you been doing with this unexpected time at home? What does a typical day look like for Mark Hayes?

The great thing about my life is that there is no such thing as a typical day! I tend to take each day as it comes and wring as much life as I can from each experience. My role at work involves representing a world-famous brand and involves a beautiful collaboration with so many exciting like-minded creative people.

At home my family constantly keep me on my toes and inspire and enthral me in equal measure!

Do you believe we will see lasting changes within the industry as the world begins to reopen?

From a consumer perspective, I believe that the industry will be viewed with renewed respect by the general public who were without their personal stylist for so long. I think the industry therefore needs to invest in education to maintain standards, something that we are making more accessible through the subjects contained within our online platform.

Fellowship Haidresser of the Year in 2009

What is your proudest accomplishment within the industry?

Following in the footsteps of some of the greatest hairdressers in the world as International Creative Director of Sassoon and upholding the standards set by Vidal.

Within life?

My children, I couldn't be prouder of them.

What advice would you give to a hairdresser who is just starting out?

Go for it, be prepared to work hard and always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting

If you could only listen to 3 albums for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

David Bowie: Low (or Heroes). In fact anything by David Bowie from 1972-1979 and then again at the end of his life. The soundtrack to my life.

Kraftwerk: The Man Machine. I used to listen to this with my mum who quite liked them. It reminds me of her and my early days at Sassoon.

The third one is too difficult to settle on as everything from Lou Reed to JS Bach to Gil Scott Heron is rattling through my head. Music is so important…

I knew I was a #HairNerd when...

I first walked through the doors of Sassoon on the 27th June 1977, it’s been an amazing journey so far!

You can Stalk Mark at:

Instagram: @markhsassoon

Or you can head on over to the Sassoon Online Membership and join our Project “Be Mark’s New Best Friend”…