Today we’d like to introduce you to Reece Walker.
Hi Reece, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my apprenticeship at the age of 14 at Joh Bailey Salon in Double Bay, Sydney – Australia (Double Bay is like the Beverly Hills of Sydney). About 12 years later, I moved to London and started working at Neville’s Hair & Beauty in Belgravia as Head Stylist and Colorist.
Neville’s was an incredible experience and gave me the opportunity to lead on hair for many shows across London and Paris Fashion Weeks – including Paris Couture Week.
After London, LA was calling and it felt like a natural next step for both me and my career. I started out in the city with two referrals – and that was it! Most of my business was generated via word of mouth, and a lot of bookings came through Instagram. Over the next four years, I began working with my dream client list – designers like Tom Ford and Victoria Beckham, through to actors like Eva Longoria, Gemma Chan, Christine Baranski, Hugh Jackman and Nathalie Kelley, and then over to musicians like Sara Bareilles.
As my career has developed, I’ve managed to create & nurture a reputation around my colorwork and also as a hair extension expert. I honestly love my job, and I have such a loyal clientele. Whether I’m in London, LA or NYC – I’m incredibly lucky to be booked out, and for that I’m so thankful.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Moving internationally was, and continues to be, a learning experience – both professionally and personally. When I first arrived to LA, I had a very small network and really needed to trust the process of building my reputation and clientele. My first few clients (they know who they are) were so incredibly supportive and instrumental in creating what would soon be the foundation to my U.S. business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been working as a Hair Stylist and Colorist for nearly 20 years now (my 20th anniversary is next February 2022!) – with clients across London, Sydney, LA, Paris and NYC. I would say I’m mostly known for my colorway and hair extensions – which is a space in the hairy industry which I’ve really loved cultivating and developing.
Professionally, I’m most proud of creating a community of clients who are very supportive & committed – even through the pandemic, which really impacted my work and my client base.
Personally, I’m incredibly proud of how I had adapted from city to city – it hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success for me is a number of things. Firstly – happiness & well-being of both myself and my clients. The second would be: understanding that we each have our own path – and comparing yourself against other stylists does not measure your success – professionally or personally.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://reecewalkerhair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reecewalkerhair/?hl=en
