IN an interview with Matthew Ashton, a prominent figure in the
world of hair styling and our feature artist in our next chapter titled
‘Natural Is’.
We delve into his unique perspective on the concept of
"natural" within his profession. Join us as we uncover Matthew's
insights and discover how he redefines the essence of natural beauty in
his practice.
Feat. HAIR STYLIST - MATTHEW ASHTON
Photographer: Jesse-Leigh Elford
Hair: Matthew Ashton
Makeup: VINXNT PHVN & SARA BELOBRAJDICK
MODELS: Ngikula, jayla, chanee & alice
MODEL AGENCY:
CHADWICK MODLES
AP
How do hair stylists in the fashion industry navigate the balance
between creating natural-looking hairstyles and incorporating artistic
and trend-driven elements into their designs?
MA
In the fashion industry, achieving a balance between
natural-looking hairstyles and incorporating artistic and trend-driven
elements into designs requires a holistic approach. For me as an artist i
consider all components of styling, makeup, lighting, and set design,
to understand the overall look and feel that’s being created. Whether
it's a look that appears effortless and natural or one that's
avant-garde, all elements need to work together to tell a cohesive
fashion story.
However, when it comes to advertising or editorial work, relate-ability is
crucial. This is where natural-looking hairstyles come into play. I
guess the aim is to create a style that the audience can connect with,
making the fashion or beauty products more appealing and accessible.
It's about striking a balance between pushing creative boundaries but
ensuring that the end result resonates with the audience, making the
overall narrative more compelling.
AP
In what ways do hair stylists integrate sustainable and Eco-friendly
practices into their work, particularly when it comes to using natural
products and minimizing the environmental impact of hair treatments and
styling techniques?
MA
Hair stylists that integrate sustainable and Eco-friendly practices into
their work by taking various measures to minimize the environmental
impact of hair products is the way forward for our industry. Using
products like Artēgo allows me to use organic products made from
ethically sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients while still
delivering my desired results.
By choosing Artēgo or similar Eco-friendly brands, stylists can work in a
more sustainable way without affecting the quality or outcome of their
work. Ultimately, it's a win-win situation, benefiting both the
environment and the clients who receive top-notch services with these
products.
AP
How does the concept of “natural beauty” influence the role of hair
stylists in the fashion world, and how might their expertise be
harnessed to promote diverse representations of natural hair textures
and styles on runways and in editorial campaigns?
MA
The concept of 'natural beauty' varies from person to person. In
Australia, the beauty standards tend to favor beach waves and blonde
hair as the ideal natural look. However, this preference is different in
places like London.
For me, natural beauty involves gaining knowledge about and appreciating
diverse hair textures, learning to style them with the right tools and
products, understanding various cultural influences, and adapting
hairstyles to suit different individuals. Embracing a broad perspective
of natural beauty allows for a richer and more inclusive representation
of beauty.
Being able to be open with natural beauty and what that might be for an
individual, it challenges the industry to be more diverse and open to
different forms of natural beauty.