The Man Behind The Flying Bun
Have you always wanted to be a hairstylist? What inspired you?
I was born in a family of hairstylists for generations. My family had salons in Italy and I always lived in this branch since I was a child. I realized that working in a salon was not really my thing. So I moved to Milan at the age of 16 and started working backstage in fashion shows to assist some of the best hairstylists. I found my inspiration in fashion, and I worked hard to achieve my goal and make my dream come true.
What is your favorite thing about your work?
My favorite side of work is working closely with the designers and stylists, they are the source of my inspiration! I love creating shapes and volumes with them. I love the fact that I have the chance to travel a lot and constantly meet new people with different visions.
What has been your favorite project to date? And why?
It’s difficult to say as every project is unique; I’ve worked on different themes between Milan, New York and Paris. Every fashion show is a special, thrilling experience for me; more than the editorial work or the celebrities. I love the adrenaline rush the backstage atmosphere of fashion shows brings about.
Is there anything in particular that inspires you on a daily basis when you create a hairstyle? Trends?
I try to stay up-to-date with the new trends and translate them the way envision them. I think nowadays everything can be trendy; there are no more rules nor major trends like it used to be in the past. Trends are nowadays the reflection of people’s emotions. And I try as much as I can to enhance this emotion and make it alive. Everything is an inspiration for me on a daily basis: from the book I read to someone I bump into on the streets, a painting I come across, or even a fashion show…
What was your inspiration behind the hairstyle at the Tony Ward Couture Spring Summer 2019 show?
Tony always had a clear idea of what he is trying to emphasize on the collection. This season, we worked on a very graphic updo, a clean and modern one. I had to go the minimalistic yet trendy way as the collection was very colorful and rich in embroideries and the looks were complemented with fantastic headpieces that sometimes would totally cover the models’ faces. The concept was to work on details, a sleek high bun, with this very graphic piece of hair looking as if it’s flying. The end result is nothing but a modern and shiny texture, for a dramatic and very elegant effect.
How was it collaborating with Tony Ward to create this look?
It’s always a pleasure to work with Tony and his team. Tony has this extreme sensitivity about his collection and vision, and I have to say that I rarely see someone who knows perfectly where he wants to go and in which direction he wants to proceed. I love the fact that Tony trusts me on making his idea come to life thanks to my hands. I always try to add my touch in the final look, while respecting the general guidelines of the style, and I think Tony Ward is the perfect partner in crime for creating magic! I would say that working with Tony is always different and full of enthusiasm; he keeps surprising me more and more every season.
What would your advice be to a young hairstylist following in your steps?
I think that a young hairstylist has first to learn from a master that he has to choose and assist at the beginning of his career. This way, not only he will learn the job but especially the manners and behaviors, which are even more important. I also would recommend reading a lot, get as much information as possible about any subject, be curious, discover things, and most importantly is to never give up.
How does Beppe spend his day when he’s not working?
I am a hard worker and I believe that working is deeply rooted in my DNA, I find it very difficult to disconnect from work because my mind is constantly researching ideas, projects and goals, that need a lot of effort to achieve. But I try to take some time for myself as much I can through simply relaxing at home, doing some personal research, reading books and whenever I have the opportunity: escaping for weekends in Paris or Ibiza, my favorite locations for inspiration.
If you weren’t a hairstylist, what would you be?
I would probably be an architect because I am passionate about shapes and volumes. The structure is always the most important aspect of a dress, a building or a hairstyle.