Steven Robertson is a prolific and gifted hairdresser who has worked with Lunatic Fringe for 7 years. He is the go-to talent for bridal and long hair dressing which has lead him to a finalist for the NAHA 2014 Hairstylist of the Year award. As past Co-Creative Director of the salon’s artistic team for 5 years, his work has largely contributed to the success of the team over the past few years; including the 2012 and 2013 NAHA Salon Team winner for Lunatic Fringe Salons. Robertson is a graduate of The Paul Mitchell School, Salt Lake City and a former Learning Leader at the school. Today he continues to work tirelessly and passionately full time behind-the-chair while creating collections for NAHA and national publications and maintaining commercial accounts. His distinctive editorial work has been featured at NAHA 2012/2013, Canadian Hairdresser, Launchpad, Highlights, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Teen Vogue, Brides Magazine and Blackbook Magazine to name a few. Commercial work includes advertisements for Shabby Apple, Taubman Company (City Creek Center, Salt Lake City), Struck Agency (PMD), The Design Farm (Hale Theater), Maggie Sottero, Sottero & Midgley, Flirt Prom season collections (2012-present) and Fitness Magazine. http://www.stevenrobertsonhair.com

Inspiration for your NAHA collection.

I wanted to do a really dark (as in mood, not lighting), haunting, yet pretty when you first looked, but almost sad the longer to looked. I wanted everything to be soft, blurry, smokey, airy and windblown. I was originally inspired by the image attached (artist and photographer, unknown). The collection, albeit beautiful, didn’t turn out quite as dreary as I was originally wanting. But you can’t have everyone being all depressed at your collection! My collection still remains unnamed. I should do an Instagram contest to name it!

You have been nominated and won two NAHA’s now… This is your first individual nomination. How does this feel different?

Had been in a leadership roll for 5 years at Lunatic Fringe Salon directing the artistic team, it was GREAT to have been able to finally lead the team to 2 consecutive NAHA awards in 2012 and 2013 with the help of photographer Fumi Eguchi. I then decided that I wanted to give it a go strictly on my own to see if I was capable of snagging the same recognition and victory for myself. Selfish, I know. But sometimes we need to be a bit selfish!

You have been doing a ton of editorial work, lately.

Very much so! I’m currently balancing a very full Tuesday-Saturday schedule at Lunatic Fringe while booking freelance editorial work on the side. And by on the side, I mean, working a TON! I slowed down on personal editorial work a few years ago because I wanted to say that, at some point in my career, I was a busy successful stylist behind the chair too. I feel like that’s important to move forward in education, as I would be training hair dressers that have those same ambitions. It’s unfair for me to not have had the same goals. I’m happy to say that I am on par behind the chair and back in to the editorial scene at the same time.

What amazing outfits does your super fab #HairHusband have planned for the weekend?

As most may not know (but of course, the Hair Nerds do!), my #HairHusband Matthew Sandoval, was also the fashion stylist for my nominated collection. He has superb taste in fashion, unlike myself! Not only will he be putting together his outfit that may or may not include jewels, exotic furs and spikes all over the place, he will also be shopping for me so I look presentable to those attending NAHA. Normally I look like an unshaven homeless person and he looks like a fancy, well put together handsome devil of a man!

Why NAHA? What keeps you entering?

I enter NAHA because it’s fun (and stressful)! It gets me out of my routine. It allows me and my #HairHusband to create works of art that we can share together. It allows me to see how I’ve progressed as a hair dresser over the years. It just so happens, that others enjoy what I create as well. But that’s a byproduct that’s not originally planned for. I’m very thankful when the judges of NAHA enjoy my work as much as I do!

What is in the water in SLC? Thoughts on having so many NAHA winners and finalists in your area and do you think it changes the dynamics?

This may be an out there response, but this is kind of what I think. First of all…SLC has a very large ratio of talented artists that range from hair dressers to dancers to musicians. So that helps! I think with NAHA, there was a point when say photographer Babak (among a handful of others: Robert Legresti, Eric Fisher, etc) were shooting collections that started an aesthetic of hair presentation that was so on point that it then trickled downward to other hairdressers and their creative teams. It was appreciated (like many of their nominated and winning collections) how hair was displayed. I think the SLC teams are creating the same thing, except with hair itself, that was originally started by those above. We do hair a little differently here. And the industry has been starting to showcase our small, yet very talented city!

Best advice you were ever given by a mentor.

Most advice I’ve asked for has been technically related, how to do this kind of style, or how to graduate hair this specific way. All that advice has technically gotten me where I am today. The advice that people usually miss that is built in to my ever being, is showing up to work simply to work. Not to receive a check. Not to be congratulated. Not to win awards. Not for any other reason but to progress myself. That is the reason that myself, and all the other nominees get the recognition we’ve gotten. Because everyone else didn’t show up to work.

Want to stalk Steven at NAHA?

NAHA is the most prestigious photographic beauty competition in North America and celebrates the artistry and skill of the professional salon industry. Each year, individuals are recognized during a star-studded awards ceremony.

July 13, 2014

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada

Red Carpet Reception: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Awards Ceremony: 8:00pm – 10:30pm
Don’t miss the NAHA After Party following the Awards Ceremony!

To purchase tickets click here.