THE INTERVIEW
ANDREW COLLINGE
TALKS TO LYNNE HAGUE
Andrew Collinge Hairdressing is a modern creative force, renowned for contemporary, desirable and wearable hair. Exceptional salons, products and training has ensured this award-winning salon group is firmly established as one of the most influential in the UK. Lynne Hague caught up with the man himself.
The family has been trading in Merseyside since 1940 and is famed for top quality training as well as being considered one of the finest salon groups in the UK, does the responsibility of all this tradition affect creative innovation? If I had been asked this question a couple of years ago I might have said yes, as over time I was finding myself more behind a desk than behind a hairdressing chair, however, I’ m pleased to say that my son Charlie is now responsible for the running of the business ensuring the family business moves onto a fourth generation. Charlie appreciates the tradition and values of the company but will bring his own ideas and long term strategy so the company continues to evolve. I can now concentrate more on a creative role which will involve me working within the training salons as well as working closely with the creative team on fashion shows and photo shoots. I love working with hair and still get as much buzz from creating a new look as I did when I started out as an apprentice.
You have styled the hair of two royal brides but whose hair would you like to style and why? I would have loved to have styled the hair of Audrey Hepburn, an A list film star whose hair always looked beautiful whether it be a gamine crop or a chic up-do. Today it would be Jennifer Lawrence, a brilliant actress whose hair always looks great, she changes it regularly and also I think she would be fun to meet.
Where do you stand on the question of whether mature women should embrace their grey hair or not? Grey hair can look fabulous particularly with a great cut. The IMF boss- Christine Lagarde is a perfect example of how to wear grey hair and look cool.
What do you think was the worst look / trend that you have seen? A mullet done badly. There is a fine line between getting it right or it looking awful.
You have won many awards and competitions – which one are you most proud of? It would have to be winning British Hairdresser of the Year for the first time. It was something I worked hard for and the competition that particular year was very tough with the other nominees coming from top London salons. Liz and I hadn’ t long opened our salon in Heswall and winning resulted in the BBC Clothes Show coming to the salon to interview me, it was fantastic publicity.
The company has an excellent reputation for training, how did this come about? My father Peter, started our hairdressing training division over 40 years ago and ever since then education and training have been the backbone of our business. Over the years thousands of young people have trained with us and gone on to pursue successful careers themselves whether in our own salons or elsewhere. Today his high standards carry on through a dedicated team, who over the past 20 years have been directed by my sister, Sarah. We now provide high quality apprenticeship training to over
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