Over the years, I’ve gained valuable skills from encounters and experiences that have changed my life, enabling me to deliver top-quality hairdressing services for family, friends, the general public, famous artists, sports stars, and luxury-brand fashion shows.
This is my story.
My journey started in my family home in Paris, where I picked up on the importance of hairstyles from a young age. I was always fascinated by the transformation that came from a good haircut, and I paid close attention to the techniques used by my hairdresser. Once, when I got home after a visit to the salon, I sat my brother down in our living room armchair, and gave him a haircut using the remote control!
When I was 12 years old, I began cutting my own hair just for fun. As I got better, I started cutting my younger brother’s hair, and eventually my father’s, who had high standards. Little by little, I realised that hairdressing was more than just a hobby for me – I enjoyed it and was good at it. While the idea of turning it into a career wasn’t on my mind yet, I knew that hairdressing was becoming increasingly important in my life.
After high school, I looked for a summer job to be able to get my driving licence. I couldn’t find a job that really appealed to me, because my passion for hairdressing was always at the back of my mind. I ultimately realised that I had to turn my passion into my profession.
I continued cutting my friends’ hair for free as a way to perfect my skills. One day, to thank me, they pooled some money together and bought me my first professional clippers. They believed in me, and that set me on my way. I then bought a finishing clipper and a real cape. I now had a proper, professional set up. No more towels! At 18, I started cutting hair at people’s homes and did my first paid haircut, but I had no idea back then that my story had only just begun.
In 2017, my world changed when I started working for professional football players. At the salon, I had the opportunity to style the hair of Tiémoué Bakayoko, a player from AS Monaco, and Blaise Matuidi, a player from Paris Saint-Germain. They each opened doors for me at their respective clubs, and I’m very grateful to them. However, my career really took off after meeting another famous player.
Although it was the first time I had met Kylian, it felt like I had known him forever. We had an instant connection and were soon in touch regularly. He wasn’t too well known at that time, but that summer PSG offered him a contract, and he promised me that if he joined the club, I would become his hairdresser and he would get his haircut every three days. He did join PSG and I did begin cutting his hair regularly, but we also played video games and ate meals together. We became very close friends, almost like brothers.
In October 2019, with new opportunities appearing, I decided to leave my job at 235 Barber Street and become self-employed. This gave me an opportunity to grow my reputation and visibility among the general public and celebrities. I began providing my services at clients’ homes, as well as at film production and advertising companies.
That same month, I joined Guido’s team, and he gave me the freedom to work on all of the Afrocentric styles. I worked on more Fashion Weeks and styled celebrities such as Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior, and the American rapper Travis Scott. I remain very grateful for all of these wonderful opportunities.
I am also very proud to be part of the integration of hairdressers into the exclusive world of Fashion Weeks. Before, barbers could only hope to work in a salon and for private clients, but now they can aspire to work at higher levels. I feel honoured to be contributing to the growth of my profession, and I look forward to exploring other areas that hairdressing can expand into in the future.
In May 2021, I decided to obtain an official hairdressing diploma in order to expand my knowledge and get official recognition for my skills. This year led me to a deeper understanding of my instinctive gestures when cutting hair, and confirmed that I had indeed chosen a profession I love. Becoming certified meant that I could now open my own salon and become a hairdressing examiner, which is an experience I continue to find very enriching.
When I was in high school, all my friends would go to the hairdresser. I was the only one who didn’t go, and they couldn’t understand how I managed to have a perfect haircut all year round. After a while, they pressured me into confessing that my hairdresser was none other than myself!
Their surprise quickly turned to curiosity, and the first request came soon after. I cut one friend’s hair, then two, then three, until I ended up cutting the hair of the whole school, including teachers and other staff! They would look at my school schedule to see when I had a free period at the same time as them, so I could cut their hair. In my schoolbag, I started packing my clippers alongside my notebooks.
Over the next few months, I realised that styling hair truly inspired me. It felt more like a calling than just a hobby. During my first year of university, where I had started studying law, I applied to “L’Appartement 235TH”, a renowned hair salon in the Paris region, and they gave me a chance. For the next year, I tried to juggle my law classes with working at the salon.
However, in 2016, I finally stopped my studies to become a full-time barber, so I could fully develop my passion.
In March 2017, Tiémoué asked me to come to Monaco to style his hair before a match against Manchester City. I was so excited about this opportunity that I even missed my driving test to rush to the airport instead. Despite having little money at the time, I used all my savings to buy a last-minute plane ticket.
That day, flights were disrupted, and no planes were flying from Paris to Nice, so I was obliged to go to Saint-Tropez, where there were scheduled shuttle buses to Monaco. When I arrived at 11pm, however, I was shocked to find out that the last shuttle had already left. I only had one option left: to call a taxi. With the last of my money, I was driven as far as Nice, but I had no idea how I’d then get to Monaco. Generously, and luckily for me, Tiémoué asked a driver to pick me up and take me to the hotel where the club’s players were staying.
It was one in the morning when I finally met Tiémoué at the hotel. He then revealed to me that he had prepared an amazing surprise for me: to cut every Monaco players’ hair. At that late hour, though, they had all already gone to bed, except for one. I went to his room, and was greeted by Kylian Mbappé.
Due to my hard work and my progress, I was promoted to manager at 235 Barber Street in Paris. My dedication to the business had paid off, and through being a manager I gained a better understanding of the importance of human relations in the workplace. I was also able to further develop my teaching skills by training barbers from different branches of the company.
In January 2021, Virgil Abloh, designer of the Men’s Collection for Louis Vuitton, was putting together his fashion show for Paris Fashion Week. He wanted to showcase models with afro hair. Guido Palau, a renowned hair stylist and part of the LVMH group, did not have a hairstylist who specialised in afro hair, so he gave me the opportunity to show what I could do.
Guido appreciated my work for the Louis Vuitton show, and he asked me to style the Dior show models’ hair the following day. It was a great experience that I couldn’t wait to do again.
In February 2021, I was asked to style the Versace models for Milan Fashion Week. It was an honor, but I was also nervous because I had never done it before. When I arrived, I was presented with a challenge: to create a hairstyle that was unique to Versace. I came up with the idea of using the Medusa motif from the Versace logo.
I tried the design on a European test model on just one side of the head, and was congratulated by Donatella Versace herself. I was then given the task of creating the design on an Afro model who would be walking the runway the next day, this time on both sides of the head. The team wanted to create a standout hairstyle and filmed my work, which was shared on Versace’s website and Instagram account to promote the show.
In 2022, I had the honour of becoming a Dior ambassador for their famous “Sauvage” product range. They wanted me to demonstrate the use of their hair products. Being a Dior ambassador brings together many facets of the professions that I love: hairdressing, male beauty, and fashion. I am so pleased to be continuing this wonderful experience in 2023.
My journey started in my family home in Paris, where I picked up on the importance of hairstyles from a young age. I was always fascinated by the transformation that came from a good haircut, and I paid close attention to the techniques used by my hairdresser. Once, when I got home after a visit to the salon, I sat my brother down in our living room armchair, and gave him a haircut using the remote control!
When I was 12 years old, I began cutting my own hair just for fun. As I got better, I started cutting my younger brother’s hair, and eventually my father’s, who had high standards. Little by little, I realised that hairdressing was more than just a hobby for me – I enjoyed it and was good at it. While the idea of turning it into a career wasn’t on my mind yet, I knew that hairdressing was becoming increasingly important in my life.
When I was in high school, all my friends would go to the hairdresser. I was the only one who didn’t go, and they couldn’t understand how I managed to have a perfect haircut all year round. After a while, they pressured me into confessing that my hairdresser was none other than myself!
Their surprise quickly turned to curiosity, and the first request came soon after. I cut one friend’s hair, then two, then three, until I ended up cutting the hair of the whole school, including teachers and other staff! They would look at my school schedule to see when I had a free period at the same time as them, so I could cut their hair. In my schoolbag, I started packing my clippers alongside my notebooks.
After high school, I looked for a summer job to be able to get my driving licence. I couldn’t find a job that really appealed to me, because my passion for hairdressing was always at the back of my mind. I ultimately realised that I had to turn my passion into my profession.
I continued cutting my friends’ hair for free as a way to perfect my skills. One day, to thank me, they pooled some money together and bought me my first professional clippers. They believed in me, and that set me on my way. I then bought a finishing clipper and a real cape. I now had a proper, professional set up. No more towels! At 18, I started cutting hair at people’s homes and did my first paid haircut, but I had no idea back then that my story had only just begun.
Over the next few months, I realised that styling hair truly inspired me. It felt more like a calling than just a hobby. During my first year of university, where I had started studying law, I applied to “L’Appartement 235TH”, a renowned hair salon in the Paris region, and they gave me a chance. For the next year, I tried to juggle my law classes with working at the salon.
However, in 2016, I finally stopped my studies to become a full-time barber, so I could fully develop my passion.
In 2017, my world changed when I started working for professional football players. At the salon, I had the opportunity to style the hair of Tiémoué Bakayoko, a player from AS Monaco, and Blaise Matuidi, a player from Paris Saint-Germain. They each opened doors for me at their respective clubs, and I’m very grateful to them. However, my career really took off after meeting another famous player.
In March 2017, Tiémoué asked me to come to Monaco to style his hair before a match against Manchester City. I was so excited about this opportunity that I even missed my driving test to rush to the airport instead. Despite having little money at the time, I used all my savings to buy a last-minute plane ticket.
That day, flights were disrupted, and no planes were flying from Paris to Nice, so I was obliged to go to Saint-Tropez, where there were scheduled shuttle buses to Monaco. When I arrived at 11pm, however, I was shocked to find out that the last shuttle had already left. I only had one option left: to call a taxi. With the last of my money, I was driven as far as Nice, but I had no idea how I’d then get to Monaco. Generously, and luckily for me, Tiémoué asked a driver to pick me up and take me to the hotel where the club’s players were staying.
It was one in the morning when I finally met Tiémoué at the hotel. He then revealed to me that he had prepared an amazing surprise for me: to cut every Monaco players’ hair. At that late hour, though, they had all already gone to bed, except for one. I went to his room, and was greeted by Kylian Mbappé.
Although it was the first time I had met Kylian, it felt like I had known him forever. We had an instant connection and were soon in touch regularly. He wasn’t too well known at that time, but that summer PSG offered him a contract, and he promised me that if he joined the club, I would become his hairdresser and he would get his haircut every three days. He did join PSG and I did begin cutting his hair regularly, but we also played video games and ate meals together. We became very close friends, almost like brothers.
Due to my hard work and my progress, I was promoted to manager at 235 Barber Street in Paris. My dedication to the business had paid off, and through being a manager I gained a better understanding of the importance of human relations in the workplace. I was also able to further develop my teaching skills by training barbers from different branches of the company.
In October 2019, with new opportunities appearing, I decided to leave my job at 235 Barber Street and become self-employed. This gave me an opportunity to grow my reputation and visibility among the general public and celebrities. I began providing my services at clients’ homes, as well as at film production and advertising companies.
In January 2021, Virgil Abloh, designer of the Men’s Collection for Louis Vuitton, was putting together his fashion show for Paris Fashion Week. He wanted to showcase models with afro hair. Guido Palau, a renowned hair stylist and part of the LVMH group, did not have a hairstylist who specialised in afro hair, so he gave me the opportunity to show what I could do.
Guido appreciated my work for the Louis Vuitton show, and he asked me to style the Dior show models’ hair the following day. It was a great experience that I couldn’t wait to do again.
That same month, I joined Guido’s team, and he gave me the freedom to work on all of the Afrocentric styles. I worked on more Fashion Weeks and styled celebrities such as Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior, and the American rapper Travis Scott. I remain very grateful for all of these wonderful opportunities.
I am also very proud to be part of the integration of hairdressers into the exclusive world of Fashion Weeks. Before, barbers could only hope to work in a salon and for private clients, but now they can aspire to work at higher levels. I feel honoured to be contributing to the growth of my profession, and I look forward to exploring other areas that hairdressing can expand into in the future.
In February 2021, I was asked to style the Versace models for Milan Fashion Week. It was an honor, but I was also nervous because I had never done it before. When I arrived, I was presented with a challenge: to create a hairstyle that was unique to Versace. I came up with the idea of using the Medusa motif from the Versace logo.
I tried the design on a European test model on just one side of the head, and was congratulated by Donatella Versace herself. I was then given the task of creating the design on an Afro model who would be walking the runway the next day, this time on both sides of the head. The team wanted to create a standout hairstyle and filmed my work, which was shared on Versace’s website and Instagram account to promote the show.
In May 2021, I decided to obtain an official hairdressing diploma in order to expand my knowledge and get official recognition for my skills. This year led me to a deeper understanding of my instinctive gestures when cutting hair, and confirmed that I had indeed chosen a profession I love. Becoming certified meant that I could now open my own salon and become a hairdressing examiner, which is an experience I continue to find very enriching.
In 2022, I had the honour of becoming a Dior ambassador for their famous “Sauvage” product range. They wanted me to demonstrate the use of their hair products. Being a Dior ambassador brings together many facets of the professions that I love: hairdressing, male beauty, and fashion. I am so pleased to be continuing this wonderful experience in 2023.
