Spotlight on Rodney Cutler - myhairdressersearch.com

By Shonagh Walker March 9 2009

He’s called on to create coiffs for the likes of Fergie, Britney Spears, Miranda Otto, Scarlett Johansson and Naomi Watts and is a hair brand in his own right.

myhairdressersearch spoke with Melbournian Rodney Cutler as he decompressed from a hectic week dressing tresses at New York Fashion Week.

You have three USA salons…

Two in New York, and the third in South Beach in Miami, at the Gansevoort Hotel. I have over 150 staff and a product line selling in over 300 stores.

How did you get to where you are?

After school, I wasn’t sure what to do. One day I had a haircut at a fancy salon called Rifmik. I loved the energy, the smell, the entire vibe … I thought I’d give it a shot and I landed an apprenticeship. Ten years later, I decided to backpack around the world. I arrived in New York in 1992. I talked my way into a job at Bumble and Bumble. I loved the entire connection to fashion. I was always ambitious, but I didn’t have clarity on how it was going to pan out. All I knew was that I was committed and that it was important to have the skills, be it public speaking or cutting hair, to be ready to push through one door and open another.

Simple, long and straight ... Designer Yigal Azrouel's work at New York Fashion Week

What’s your philosophy?

The brand is based around our passion for being in the fashion world. We do so many editorial shoots, and I have a team of 40 session stylists. During New York Fashion Week we did over 35 shows. For me, that’s where fashion begins. If we are developing rather than following, we are an authority. Then, it is about how we translate that for our clients. We are not just a salon; we are a brand that has longevity that is continually evolving and reinventing.

What is the most important lesson to teach staff?

Success comes when you commit to becoming a better hairdresser. It is a hard choice, whether you want to commit without having huge opportunities in sight. But once you make that choice, you ultimately have a better chance of success. So many young hairdressers come in and want to be on TV rather than just being good. If you’re good, then the other stuff takes care of itself.

Abstract buns ... Rebecca Taylor's design at New York Fashion Week

Have you achieved your goals?

I don’t think of myself as successful. I feel like if you don’t go up you’re going down and you can become stale. There is always so much room for growth.

What has been your career highlight?

The most exciting project is always the next one, even if it is not as grand as the last.

Enchanted ... Actress Amy Adams at the 2009 Academy Awards

What are the hottest looks to come off the New York Fashion Week runway?

The Side Part was all over the runways, then appeared on Amy Adams and Heidi Klum at the Oscars.

Matte Finish [seen at Ports 1961 and Baby Phat] It’s not shiny – it’s airy, dry and has a matte texture. We add table salt to our protective treatment spray to get this finish.

Abstract Buns. Seen at Rebecca Taylor. It was clean, with a twisted bun on the top of the head to one side.

Simple, long and straight. Seen at Yigal Azrouel. We also saw half-up-half-down at Toni Maticevski, which translated to the Oscars red carpet on Angelina Jolie and Marisa Tomei.

40s-inspired. Seen at James Coviello. It was glamorous with a low side part and we brushed it out to get a dry finish.

Beauty note: Two common make-up themes prevailed during New York Fashion Week. The first, a smoky eye. Get the look with Maybelline New York Eye Studio Eye palette in New York Nights. The second was earthy and natural eyes delivered with Maybelline New York Eye Studio Eye Palette in Autumn Spirit.

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