Hairdressing guru talks tresses and trades

Long hair is nothing to be afraid of. Curls are a big story. Hair fashion is always changing, and you must keep learning.

Just a few insights from acclaimed hairdresser Patrick Cameron. A world-leading long hair stylist who trained in New Plymouth, he visited the campus this week to share his wisdom with budding hairdressing students.

Patrick studied at WITT more than 40 years ago when it was known as Taranaki Polytechnic while he was also training at Headquarters salon. He moved back to his dream home on the Taranaki coast several years ago.

He’s made his name as a global guru of long hair dressing based in London and travelling the world for 35 years to inspire and teach hairdressers. He shares his creativity in his entertaining presentations at global hairdressing events to increase awareness in long hair dressing and dispel the myth that it’s complicated.

These days he travels to Europe twice a year for events and continues teaching with his weekly live online tutorial, Access Long Hair. Launched during lockdown in 2020, Patrick went live, globally, to thousands on Facebook and Instagram every Monday night, and his reach continues to grow.

Patrick was awarded a prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2022 for his contribution to British hairdressing, particularly during Covid 19. He told WITT students that he was asked to be the Queen’s hairdresser, a fabulous offer which he declined in favour of being able to pursue a creative business and career as “a hairdresser’s hairdresser”.

Kellie Divane, hairdressing tutor, said it was thrilling for her Hairdressing Year 1 students to meet such a legendary professional, to ask him questions and hear about his remarkable career. “Patrick is always very encouraging and approachable – hearing his story has made them realise they can go far in this industry if they want to.”

Patrick captivated the class at WITT with his warmth, enthusiasm, humour and positivity along with many fascinating and entertaining anecdotes from his highly successful career.  While he’s mixed and mingled with the rich and famous, he resisted becoming a hairdresser for a celebrity as it would have limited his freedom to travel and pursue his own creative direction.

Trades help create community

Among his tips to WITT hairdressing students: “If you have a passion for hairdressing, then you’re on the road to success.”

He said many creative people struggle at school with academic success. “One of the great things about coming to WITT to a course like this – it brings your creativity into focus in one area.

“Creativity is the goal but without the technique, creativity can fall barren ground. You need the technique so you can embrace that creativity. That’s why coming to WITT, working here with these incredible educators is so important.”

He touched on the value of trades as vital in a world of increasing disconnection as people scroll on screens in solitude.

Trades are “super important,” he adds. “I think they are the secret to success in the future and hairdressing in particular as more and more people are on digital technologies and social media – isolation is becoming a huge issue.”

“As we move further down the line of AI, ChatGPT and we’re looking at the way the world is progressing – and at alarming rate – one of the things that is so important is our trades. Whatever trade you may be in – hairdressing, carpentry, plumbing – these are skills that require dexterity and being able to communicate – so many different elements that AI can’t give.”

“One of the things that hairdressing does is that it brings you back into the community, back to people. That’s why I see a real future for hairdressers, and I see hairdressing going from strength to strength as it becomes more important for people to interact with people. That’s what the industry is all about.”

Caption: Patrick Cameron with Kellie Divane (on Patrick's left) and hairdressing ākonga.