Welcome Clayde Baumann!

It’s Saturday 13th February, a day before Valentine’s Day, and I have one thing on my mind... It’s not chocolates and it’s not a sweetheart. I’m thinking it’s my last day at Saks Hammersmith and tomorrow is my first day as a full-time member of Saks International Art Team! Totally awesome!

Working at Saks Hammersmith for the last year was an incredible experience. The team are friendly and talented with staff members who have been with the salon for as long as 10 years. I’m geared to make them proud of me in my new role. I am truly appreciative to Lance Fisher and Richard Stokes for all the support and motivation they have provided on my career path.

One chapter ends and another begins and I before I know it, it’s Sunday 14 February (the day of love) and I’m jetting off to Aberdeen with Mario to present the Saks Spring/Summer Trends (my new found love). It’s my first time to Aberdeen so I’m interested to see what the place and people are like. The flight to Aberdeen is short with Mario and me discussing the excitement that would ensue over the next two days and a promise of the fun times with our Scottish contingent!

The next morning, Monday 15th February, Mario and I are up early after a fantastic night’s sleep and we enjoy a continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn, which is just a short walk from the Aberdeen Salon, before heading over to start the day.

The Salon is buzzing as soon as we get there with 16 creative minds hungry for what the day will bring. Christy is there too and I’m glad to see him for the first time since our A-team shoot. He has (as usual) been responsible for getting everything sorted for us and never disappoints. With exhilarating edge and tenacity, Mario and I begin the morning with two incredible colour techniques developed by the Saks Art Team. Mario presents our “Hues” technique and I present the “Mirror Mirror” technique.
After a short break, Mario and I go straight into the show-stopping cuts, presenting our latest trend techniques “Inside Out” and “Moth effect”. These are inspirational techniques that provide a stylist with a fresh view on texture and weight distribution and how to get the most out of a shape. I would recommend checking these techniques out on one of our trend launches to any stylist.

After a quick and tasty lunch, we go straight into the workshop, when the delegates manipulate the cutting and colouring techniques we’ve shown them and create their own looks on mannequin heads. The quality of work is incredible and I’m blown away by the energy and passion of the Scottish.

It ends as a great day and everyone is feeling empowered with a new set of skills and information, new ideas and something to talk about to create a hype in the salon.
At Saks no amount of hard work goes unrewarded and Aberdeen’s crew is incredibly hospitable.
We are treated to an all expenses paid evening out to the beautiful Church-converted restaurant aptly name Soul. Thank you to Phillip for hosting a wonderful evening out and thank you to the Aberdeen crew for a fantastic opportunity to connect with such talented professionals.

The second day in Aberdeen is aimed at the up-and-coming talent in the industry and we have prepared an informative and full day of activity for the assistants. Mario and I spend the morning with the assistants going through corrective colour and precision colouring. Our training day is met with anticipation and excitement and the Aberdeen assistants absorb the information with voracious vigour. Mario tackles issues such as colour banding and recycling beautiful tones in the hair, whilst I touched on the process of colouring sensitised hair and perfecting these processes.
Watch out! In the afternoon, Mario and I get the opportunity to see what these assistants are made of and we are wowed by their tenacity to try out the new things they have learned. The excitement leads finds us playing with interesting colour placement and identifying the different effects that we can get.

After two packed days of training, it’s time for us to be heading home. Mario and I leave Aberdeen feeling energised and motivated by the friendly atmosphere in Aberdeen.

Thanks again guys! It was a great experience!