The North American Hairstyling Awards, NAHA, is produced by the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) will celebrate 25 years in 2014 as the beauty industry’s leading honor. Bangstyle had the pleasure of getting to know the amazingly talented Liza Espinoza, one of this year's nominees in the "Editorial" category. Check out our exclusive interview with Liza to learn a bit more about her collection and what fuels her passion for hair.   

 

Tell us a bit about your nominated collection. What was the creative process like? Inspiration?
It was great! The wardrobe designer, Rachel Goldberg for Thanatos Couture, came to me about the project, showed me the costuming and told me she wanted to create a visual story about the True Cinderella. Along with the Photographer, Emily Gualdoni, we discussed each character and developed them one by one. The collaboration of everyone involved is what made this shoot so successful!

Where there collections in other categories that you found inspiring?
Many! I’m always amazed to see what other people are able to pull out of their heads and hands…I’m honored to be included in such a group of finalists. The work of my peers always inspires and challenges me to strive for more; to keep creating, looking at things differently, and most of all, to appreciate the artfulness of what we do.

Who are your idols in the hair industry? Have you met any of them?
Luckily, I have met many of the people who inspire me, yes! Including Vidal Sassoon and Annie Humphreys…but wow, there are too many to list!

I have great admiration for all the hairdressers that have made an impact on our industry, whether it be great or small. There are many ways to be inspired; by someone’s artistic works, vision, dedication to education, to just being a great person who cares about our craft and the people in it.

My husband, Reynaldo, is my biggest personal hero. His passion for growing hairdressers, elevating perception and appreciation for what we do, delivering thoughtful and artistic work every single day to the salon…he represents all the best of what a working hairdresser should be.

Many of my idols will be attending the NAHA Ceremony, of course, so I’ll get to see them there!

What is your favorite aspect of being a stylist?
There are 2 faves for me, one selfish, one not : )

The best is the ability to positively effect people’s lives with Hairdressing. Every human being is beautiful, and hairdressers have the ability to find that, bring it out and make clients feel great about themselves.

And my selfish one is being able to express my ideas through our medium, which is the hair. I love Fashion, Art, and Beauty so to be able to combine all of those loves and translate my personal vision into any type of creation is an amazing way to live life!

What non hair related areas do you constantly find yourself being inspired by?
I’m inspired by everything around me at some point. It sounds silly, but if I’m in the mood to stare at a leaf or a stone or a dress….pick anything at random, I can find beauty and inspiration in it! The world is full of inspiration, we just have to see it!

What area of hair would you like to explore more?
I’ve really enjoyed doing more Editorial projects that are not just focused on the hair but create a complete story. So, working with more designers and costumers on higher fashion or artsy projects would be great; and one of my goals is to do hair at New York Fashion Week, that would be a blast!!

What was one defining moment in your career?
I was really freed when I realized that hair didn’t always have to be “perfect”. That it’s as much about the emotional projection and overall feeling as it is about it being perfectly done. I was working at a photo shoot and the photographer said to me “ I just want you to loosen that hair up, it’s way too hairdresser-y! “ So I learned to give hair more life and movement, while keeping balance and perspective. I’ve come to appreciate a more organic approach to hairstyling, although there’s always those times when we need every hair in place!!

What is your favorite hair texture to style?
Hmmm that’s a hard one! I embrace the fabric of hair, but if I had to pick one I’d say thick, dense and wavy…. It’s always better to have too much than too little, and wave will always give you the propensity for motion that makes styling easier. It all depends on the desired result, though, because of course the material required will change.

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would you say?
Do more of what feeds the soul, and less of what you think you feel obligated to do! I accomplished so much more when I stopped worrying so much about what everyone else thought I should be doing, and just followed my heart.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
That’s an easy one! Chocolate and Dancing!

 

Be sure to "Stalk" Liza Espinoza on Bangstyle to see her latest stunning uploads as well as wish her luck in the upcoming NAHAs.