Jodie Austen is just the best! Based in Bristol, Jodie works full time as a session and personal stylist under her company Peachy Stylist. She is insanely talented and her hair art is absolutely gorgeous! She was a L’Oreal Colour Trophy finalist for the Young Colourist Award in 2013, and most recently worked a number of shows for London Fashion Week. You can check out her behind the scenes blog from LFW on the Bangstlye Blog. Read our interview to learn more about how Jodie went from working in a salon to doing editorial work and commercials, and where she draws inspiration for the stunning looks she creates.

BANGSTYLE: Can you give us some background on your career?

Jodie Austen: I began my career as a sound engineer and musician. It was whilst working in the Music Industry that I experienced the true influence of fashion, and fell in love; tearing out inspirational images and pinning them onto my bedroom wall.

I began training in a small local salon, then moved to a college as the education in salon was poor. After completing my first college year, I moved to an apprenticeship to work in salon again and learn as much as I could. Once I had both my NVQ 1 and 2 in Hairdressing, I realised there was so much more to the Hair Industry than just working in salon. So, I decided to go to the Sassoon Academy in London to brush up all my cutting techniques and learn more of the art to hairdressing.

Back in Bristol, I worked in a number of salons full time, and began working with photographers, models and makeup artists, building a portfolio of images and strengthening my skills further. I realised I loved this side of the industry more than working in salon and, having built a large clientele throughout this time, I recently made the decision to leave the salon and work as a Session Stylist & Personal Stylist full time.

BANGSTYLE: Tell us about Peachy Stylist. What are your goals for your business?

Jodie Austen: Peachy Stylist provides Personal Hairstyling and Session Styling. Personal Styling means I provide salon professional hair care services but on a much more personal level, travelling to clients and looking after their hair (cuts, colour and styling). Session Styling is for all my photographic, video, editorial, commercial, celebrity, and event work.

The name Peachy Stylist evolved from a little nickname. It began as an online alias and just evolved to fit my business.

Peachy Stylist has many goals as I am only 24. I hope to become represented by a top agency for my session work and travel the world styling hair for campaigns and clients.

BANGSTYLE: How did you get your start in the hair industry and how did you know you wanted to make a career of it?

Jodie Austen: This is a tough question! Looking back to before I began my training, I think I have a always had a love for fashion and hair. I used to buy the hair magazines, even though my mum was the one who cut my hair, and I would tear out campaigns from Vogue and pin them across my bedroom walls.

The biggest turning point for me was when I look back to my first salon experience. As I said, my mum would cut my hair; it was down to my waist, all one length with no colour and a middle parting (cringe!). Then when I was 17, I booked an appointment at the salon. The experience was not great. I felt intimidated and didn’t know what to ask for, the hairstylist did exactly the same as my mother did, and I paid for it. Maybe my expectations were too high? I just wanted to have some style and I needed help finding it. So now that I am a hair stylist, I realise how much I can do for someone and always remember what it felt like for me back then. I’ll always do my very best to not only create the right style for my clients but help them to maintain, style and evolve it too. None of this “same again” or “going anywhere nice this year” talk. I made the decision to truly care, and that is my career.

BANGSTYLE: Do you have any advice for aspiring stylists?

Jodie Austen: A tricky question for me as I am still aspiring, but I think education is really important and then your attitude. If your looking to train as a hairstylist definitely do your research. Look at what salons you like, what their aesthetic and style is, and find out if there is an apprenticeship. If you want to be a session stylist then find a salon with an artistic team that regularly enters competitions and is involved in the fashion side of the industry. This career requires dedication, self motivation, great people skills, as well as an eye for style and creativity.

BANGSTYLE: How would you describe your aesthetic?

Jodie Austen: My favourite hair, is beautiful shiny long luscious locks, but my aesthetic is quite varied. I’m still defining my personal style but I love hair that speaks without screaming at you I.e. Beautiful auburn colours opposed to bright shocking in your face red.

BANGSTYLE: Who or What inspires the looks you create?

Jodie Austen: I greatly admire many stylists. Wendy Iles is a huge influence for my commercial work. I adore how she creates beautiful healthy shiny hair that you want to drown in. Josh Wood is such a talented colourist, and I always look out for his work to be inspired for emerging colour trends. Engine Solomon and Guido Paulo create amazing styles for the catwalk and runway and each season bring innovative but wearable hair styles. And ultimately, Sam McKnight created and has my dream job.

BANGSTYLE: Do you specialize in cut, colour or style?

Jodie Austen: I get asked this question a lot, and my answer is the same. I cannot pick one without the other. I love creating a whole look, that includes the cut, colour and styling. I adore creating a colour look to enhance a creative cut or particular style, and I get just as excited to work on something more simple too. I believe all three skills are necessary to truly create outstanding hair looks in the fashion industry, and it’s so great to see that over the years, catwalk hair has evolved to require session stylists to colour and cut as well as style. A great example is the Prada show recently at MFW. Josh Wood was flown in to Milan to colour 47 models hair in specific shades just before the show!

BANGSTYLE: Any at home hair tips for our readers?

Jodie Austen: Well, I’ve just started a YouTube channel! It’s in it’s early stages still but you can pick up a few tips and tricks there, and readers, do comment what you’d like to see next!

Generally, my first advice to my clients is start with a quality shampoo and conditioner, and keep everything simple! The less you mess about with your hair the better. So, back off the straightening irons and embrace the natural movement in your hair or try plaits before bed to wake up to a tousled beach look. Do talk to your stylist and try new things, even if you’re just having a trim. Ask them what else you could do with your hair at home, and walk away not only having spent your money on a haircut but some great advice and inspiration too!

BANGSTYLE: What are your career highlights?

Jodie Austen: I’m only 24, but I’m hoping the future holds some exciting things for me. The highlight of my career so far was making it through to the finals of L’Oreal Colour Trophy – Young Colourist Award. It’s such a big competition I could not believe I made it that far! I’ve entered the main competition this year so I’m up against the big boys! I love the thrill and excitement of a competition.

BANGSTYLE: Any future plans for your career?

Jodie Austen: I have a rough idea of where I’d like to go in my career but I’m very open minded and willing to take opportunities along the way. This year I and going to continue to record YouTube videos; I think it’s a great platform to help and inspire more people. I nearly have my portfolio ready to start presenting myself to agencies, in the hope to assist their session stylists and develop that side of my career further. And of course, I’m entering some more competitions!

Be sure to stalk Jodie Austen on Bangstyle to keep up with gorgeous hair art and latest Inspirations!