BADSHAHS OF BOLLYWOOD

This shoot was done in the UK under expert supervision. No animals were harmed during the shoot. The crew had the necessary permissions and were strictly adhering to protocol while shooting.

Bollywood has always inspired trends. Actors who grace the silverscreen and win hearts of millions with their performances, find their way into our lives as influencers. They influence our fashion, make-up and hairstyling choices as social media has brought them closer to us than ever before. In this men’s special issue, we look at the Bollywood inspired collection of male styling by UK-based Editorial Session Stylist, Barber and Educator -Jeet A Savani, professionally known as JJ Savani. This exclusive collection puts mass appeal back into the male grooming game.

JJ Savani, in a straightshooting conversation with Kanishka Ramchandani, talks about his journey as a hairstylist and educator and what inspired him to create a Bollywood-themed collection of male styling.

MEET THE CREW:

Session Stylist: Jeet A Savani @JJ Savani

Assistant Stylist: Jayson Jethwa @Jaysjet

Photographer: James Rupapara @jamesrupapara

Models: Jayson Jethwa @Jaysjet Aaron Lo @the_aware_mannequin Cosmin Barbu @untatuat Manny Janda @yo_janda

What is the inspiration behind the collection and the uniform thread of creativity in each look?

The inspiration behind this collection was Bollywood through time! Taking a cue from what I have experienced of Bollywood, from the iconic looks of the ’50s and the ‘60s to the modern day eccentric looks of Ranveer Singh, I have incorporated these looks into this collection. The hair, make-up and clothing has been inspired by this. But there’s also a contemporary twist to it all. You can see shades of the new era in it - short films, mini dramas and web series such as Sacred Games and Shantaram.

Working closely with photographer and digital artist James Rupapara, we brainstormed a few ideas. He had watched The Romantics on Netflix and he brought the old school looks from Yash Raj movie posters to the mood board.

For our two main looks, we went the old school way. We mixed it up with the eccentricity of Ranveer Singh with floral prints and sleek swept back hair.

The other two looks are inspired from Bollywood men on the red carpet. Suits and ties complement the faded cuts and structured styling, giving a nod to dapper heartthrobs like Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan who exude class and luxury. To add a raw appeal to these sophisticated looks, we opted for animal prints in clothing.

What are the current trends in men’s hair for 2023?

The current trends in men’s hair are the short sharp fades, which without a doubt are here to stay! However as fashion always repeats itself every 20 years those longer, swept back, smooth silks looks with flowing locks are coming back stronger than ever. Although this is evident with most Bollywood stars, this is also coming back to the mainstream globally. New generation of clientele is experimenting with this look and growing out their hair but still sporting the mini tapers and having the best of both worlds.

Tell us about your journey as a hairdresser?

My journey as a creative stylist started over 15 years ago in Mumbai. Although I was born and brought up in the UK, in my teens I came to India and learnt cutting during summer holidays. My first tutor was Harish Bhatia of Bigg Boss who made me fall in love with hair. After teaching me the basics of hairdressing and barbering, he trained me to be a salon level stylist, even introduced me to the L’Oreal Professional Team in Mumbai, with whom I completed my masters in Colour Keys Training. After being in India for over two years and working with the India team, with regular salon clientele as well as on sets of TV shows and films, I decided to take my skills back to the UK. There I completed my formal education in hairdressing and got a Masters in Barbering. I was also upskilling myself with hands-on training at the Sassoon Academy. I went through this period of constantly upskilling myself whilst working as a stylist and a qualified educator, teaching other students in the industry for almost half a decade.

Four years ago, I found myself in a stalemate with my career. I took some time off to research on the way forward. I found a niche in the market that was largely untapped - male grooming and styling. This was different from the usual short fade cuts that were popular in the UK. There was an increasing number of men that actually wanted to invest in how they look, what they wear, how they have their hair cut and styled and hardly anybody was tapping into this market. I then decided to create the concept of Ikon Man UK, which was a studio that offered a one-stop-solution for the modern day man. It included everything from a luxury haircut and styling to skincare consultation, facials and even male corrective make-up. While salons in India were already doing this, it was still unheard of in the UK. So, off I went to the London School of Makeup where I gained a Masters in Makeup, focussing on male corrective make-up and grooming to be able to offer this as an additional service to my clients.

With the success of Ikon Man UK, I began to offer services outside of the salon to bridegrooms and models. This is where it blew up even more and Ikon Man UK evolved into the brand name JJ Savani where I began my work as a Creative Session Stylist working on big brand campaigns during fashion week, partnering with international brands, working in the USA and Dubai and even travelling abroad to judge international hair competitions in Europe.

Today, my time is split between looking after my regular clients at my studio based in the UK; travelling around the world working as a session stylist on shoots for campaigns; and teaching as an international educator across the globe. I truly am living a stylist’s dream life, which I could have never imagined 15 years ago when I was learning how to correctly hold scissors back in Mumbai!

What aspect of hairdressing excites you the most - cutting, colouring or styling?

I am competent in and and love all aspects of hairdressing such as cutting, colouring and styling. However my favourite is styling! My simple philosophy is you can cut hair in the most precise and technical way possible and correctly colour it in the desired tones, but without creative styling, it all comes to nothing. A mentor of mine told me to remember one thing - if you paint a technically perfect painting and leave it out on a table, nobody would appreciate it, but if you put it in a nice frame and hang it in the correct place, you will have admirers worldwide. I have always lived by this. Always deliver your work as you have envisioned it.

What are the challenges that you face in your profession?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced to date is that of inspiring and motivating myself to do better than yesterday. In this age of social media and the internet, which are amazing tools for knowledge and inspiration, we are exposed to a lot more than necessary at the same time. So, at times I find myself having to try even harder than before to inspire myself to create ideas that stand out from the million other accounts or posts on my feed!

Another big challenge is that although as hairstylists we have made a name for ourselves in the mainstream, there is no manual or guidelines on how to do this for others to follow. Each one has to forge their own path.

How important is education for hairstylists?

Education is the key and should be number one priority for stylists. Getting a formal qualification from a big international academy is an add-on but not mandatory. What is most important is education as a whole. You need to constantly upgrade yourself as this industry is forever changing. Till date, I invest in education and try to go for a minimum of 2-3 workshops / seminars a year.

Any advice for aspiring hairdressers.

• Upgrade yourself constantly

• Keep yourself motivated and inspired

• Build your social media presence (it is what will get you clients and brand collaborations)

• Network within the industry. Your network is your net worth

• Participate in international competitions

• Create editorial collections and get them published in renowned publications

What is your dream/vision for yourself?

To be a world recognised influential and innovative industry leader within the hair and fashion industry and representing India! Within our country, we have many talented artists who

RAPID FIRE

Your favourite hair product:

Grooming creams, styling creams with a more natural shine especially for those longer flowing styles

Five products/tools that are a must-have in your kit:

Scissors, Comb, Feather Razor, Styling Brush, Hair Dryer!

Your favourite men’s hair trend

The textured Slambacks! As classics never die!

Your favourite hair icon:

Vidal Sassoon

Who do you look up to for inspiration?

In the West, Alessandro Bonetto, Josh Lamonaca. Across India, Aalim Hakim and Jawed Habib as they paved the way for our industry on a mainstream level.

Hairdressers should stop doing this...

Trying to compete with each other! Compete against yourself and instead of pulling others down, work together! Together we can go further and grow stronger.

I believe in 2023 I can...

Help to inspire more Indian artists to come forward to represent India and gain more exposure.

One professional secret you wish you knew about sooner...

The worst somebody can say is no! If you don’t ask, you won’t get it!

One summer haircare secret

Leave in conditioners! If not a hairdresser, you would have been...

A DJ! I have DJ’d globally, during my free time, as I love music!

  PBHJ