We love Angel Cardona! His incredible talent aside, Angel is the Artistic Director for Salon Ciseaux in Florida, educates for Sebastian Professional, and also serves as Creative Director for LaPalme Magazine - a glamour, fashion, beauty and culture magazine. The imagery Angel creates is gorgeous and he has a great eye for trending styles. We jumped at the opportunity to be able to talk with Angel a bit about his work with LaPalme as well as his love for the hair industry!
Congrats on the new magazine! Can you tell us a little about the creative process that went into launching LaPalme?
Thank you! The creative process that went into launching LaPalme Magazine was basically a small group of us who felt like we could create a better local fashion magazine then what we have in the area. After 4-5 months of planning and getting the right people in order, we printed our first sample issue just to test out and see what people thought about it. Once we felt like we ironed out the kinks and re-strategized…we launched our first issue in the summer of 2013. We decided to not just be a local publication but to push it on an international level.
What inspired you to become involved with this magazine?
Originally, in first meeting I had with some of the members of the magazine, I had no idea that they were going to ask me to be a part of it. I just thought they were going to ask me questions and pick my brain because I have worked with previous magazines in the past. Then, after the meeting, they said, "Okay, you would be a great Creative Director for us, do you want to be a part of it!" So naturally, I was like, "Yeah, let's do it!"
How would you describe the LaPalme brand and aesthetic?
The LaPalme Brand and aesthetic is striving for more of a luxury feel, in everything from fashion to beauty and hair care. We try to incorporate art, culture, and entertainment as well but staying true to a more luxury feel.
How do you choose the content to be featured?
I choose the content based on if it is relevant to the season, is it on trend, would our readers connect with it, does it depict some sort of luxury. These things, to me, are all important.
In other words, what defines something as “LaPalme material”?
In a nutshell, is it on trend and does it depict luxury. Also when I say "on trend" I don't mean just in our area or your area, I mean on an international level because that is the direction I want to see the magazine going.
What is your recipe for a successful photo shoot?
I would say it would be having the right people in play helps a lot to have a successful photo shoot. Knowing if it will be a fashion shoot or beauty shoot, that the photographer is well aware and able to accomplish the task at hand. Also, making sure the wardrobe stylist is on the same page and the wardrobe fits that season. Knowing you have a great hairstylist and makeup artist who are up for the task and have the knowledge to execute each look.
Who are your idols in the industry?
I don't have many idols in the industry or any industry for that matter, but I do have some people that I do admire and think their work is phenomenal. I am constantly blown away by some of the work produced by my Sebastian Professional family, the attention to detail in their editorial and avant-garde images are exceptional and my friends in Wella Professional put out some of the most amazing images as well.
Have you met any of them? (Probably the most inspirational person I met) If I had to name one person, I would have to say I was fortunate enough to meet it was Vidal Sassoon back in 2007. He made an appearance at the salon I worked at. He spoke to all of us and took a picture. I remember he complimented me on my hair, probably because at the time it was very crazy, lol.
What is your favorite texture of hair to style?
I love styling all hair textures; there is something interesting about working with all different kinds of fabric.
What aspects of fashion and culture appeal to you specifically?
If I had to narrow it down, I would have to say I am very interested in European fashion, and on a personal note, I am definitely inspired by London fashion. I have an appreciation for all but for some reason that one tends to stand out the most to me.
How has your involvement with LaPalme influenced your role as a stylist? Vice versa?
I guess you can say that my involvement with LaPalme Magazine has influenced my role as a stylist by making sure I am on top of what each season's trends bring to hair & fashion. Also knowing what will stick around for quite awhile and what will pass with the season.
What is your favorite aspect about being in the industry?
What I love about my industry is that it is a creative outlet for me and, a lot of times, what I do doesn't even feel like work.
What are your long term goals?
I would have to say that one of my long term goals would be to open up my own salon and be able to develop a team of great stylists to elevate the industry with their craft. Then, possibly come out with my own line of products or tools one day.
Where would you like to take LaPalme down the line?
I would love to take LaPalme Magazine to the next level and possibly get it picked up by a major publishing company like Conde' Nast and be able to work with a company with a great track record like them.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Hmmmm... I guess my guilty pleasure would be binge watching Showtime & HBO TV series and also some reality TV.
Be sure to keep an eye out for LaPalme's quartley issues and if you aren't already "Stalking" Angel Cardona on Bangstyle, you need to so you can keep up with all his amazing collections!
