To Hairstylist Guido Palau, Hair is All About Reflecting Your True Self
"Try and make your hair your own. Find what is your style; that might mean changing the colour, trimming it a bit, or cutting it off and starting over."
This March, we shine the spotlight on three individuals — hair and makeup artists Guido Palau, Pat McGrath and Hiromi Ueda — who are responsible for some of fashion’s most iconic glamour.
For British hairstylist Guido Palau, hair was always on the cards. “My history [with hairstyling] goes back a long way,” says the artist. “I started my career in London in the early ’80s, and have been doing hair for about 40 years. I did my apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon, but I decided early on in my career that I wanted to work in fashion, so I left the prestigious salon and went on this journey in the industry. That was years ago and I am still here now.”
Fresh off fashion week, Palau has worked his magic on models walking for Prada’s Fall/Winter 2024 show and Dior’s Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture show; in the latter, the artist weaved delicate braids and bows to complement the overall look of the collection. “Maria Grazia Chiuri, the designer at Dior, has such a strong vision for beauty,” says Palau of the inspiration behind his work for the show. “I have worked with her for many years now, so we have a great and trusting relationship when we talk about her ideas; she has a very feminine approach to beauty and this hairstyle was quintessentially Chiuri.”
When it comes to steering his craft towards the fashion industry, Palau says it boils down to a combination of several important things — time, effort, luck and hard work. “You never know what is going to happen with your craft,” says the stylist. “You just work at it and work at it. I have been lucky, but I have also worked hard. It’s a combination of the two, and I think it’s important to always be pushing yourself and your aesthetics.”
As such, Palau’s artistry has been sought-after by fashion’s biggest names throughout his illustrious career. “I am lucky to have worked with all the photographers and designers I have ever wanted to work with in my long career,” he says. “I work with Steven Meisel practically exclusively now; our relationship is established and I really enjoy working with him. In my earlier days, I worked with David Sims a lot. He taught me a great deal and I am forever grateful for his collaboration.”
Besides shows, Palau is often approached for shoots and other ad-hoc projects, which he notes differ in the way he conceptualises his craft. “When I am working on a shoot, I am collaborating with the photographer and the stylist. When I am doing a show, I am with the designer, trying to imagine their vision and putting that on the runway,” he breaks it down. “Both are different, but equally rewarding.”
The look he’s most proud of? The one he created for Alexander McQueen’s iconic last show: Plato’s Atlantis. “[It] stands out to me for many reasons,” he says. “One, because the hair was extreme, beautiful, modern couture. And two, unfortunately, because it was Lee’s last show, so it has poignant memories.”
On an average day, Palau finds inspiration for his art in virtually everything. “Every person’s hair is different and inspiring to me,” he explains. “Every building is inspiring, every painting I look at, every piece of music I listen to. It is all inspiration.”
“I love everything from the big blow dries on TikTok, to the wet hair look that is trendy for a night out,” he notes on hair trends of late. “It’s so great that there are so many trends out there, with something for everyone. There are no rules anymore, and I love the idea that anyone can be their true self with their hair.”
If you’re looking for some expert hair tips this year, the stylist had this to say: “Just try and make your hair your own. Make it reflect your true self. Find what is your style; that might mean changing the colour, trimming it a bit, or cutting it off and starting over. I always think cutting your hair is liberating.”
After his duties at fashion week, expect to see Palau’s latest project with Zara Hair, as well as a new book which he collaborated on with friend and model Kaia Gerber. “I am continuing to focus on shows and the work with Zara, which is so much fun,” he teases. “There are so many exciting things that will come from that later on in the year.”
