He’s been working the circuit for eight year’s, and he’s only 25. Meet Warren Holmes, Nicky Clarke’s international creative director
What was your most memorable show?
The big ones I remember are the Aquascutum, Karl Lagerfeld and Matthew Williamson shows, as well as working with Naomi Campbell, but it’s the nostalgic ones – such as my first show when I was 17, or heading up my first show for Chanel in Sydney – that are most memorable to me.
Any fashion disasters?
Like I’m going to tell you! To be honest though there isn’t really anything that sticks out. I think you can do things wrong in every show or shoot, but it’s striving to perfect your skills that keeps you motivated to be better.
What do you do when the pressure rises?
I would like to say I’m calm and cool, but the reality is I rise with it! I think age will help me manage situations better and channel my energy in more productive ways. At the minute every ounce of what I’ve got goes into hair and I’m a perfectionist, so undoubtedly bring extra work upon myself, which more often than not, brings added pressure. I’m cool with that though; I think I quite enjoy it if I’m honest. For now…
What’s your ultimate way to unwind after Fashion Week?
Last season I jumped straight from LFW into hosting a 3-day fashion event with George Lamb. As well as doing all the hair, I headed up the Nicky Clarke Art Team and we had 22 models, 12 changes per show and 13 shows over the 3 days… it was huge! You come away from the fashion week season buzzing, and I like to stay in the creative mindset it gives you. Things don’t close down after Fashion Week, and there are two things you can do: seize the moment and the opportunities, or go on holiday.
Who is your mentor and why?
Nicky Clarke. I look up to him and always seek his approval, and I will never be able to repay him for taking me under his wing and tutoring me the way he has. He’s the man in my opinion and I genuinely mean that. I also admire Malcolm Edwards. I assisted him for a long time and I would like to think I grabbed the opportunities that presented themselves from that. One day we would be shooting with Mario Testino, the next on a Italian Vogue shoot with Tim Walker, working with Kate Moss, shooting in a field, making Lady Gaga’s wig or styling Naomi Campbell at LFW. He stripped me back to basics. Malcolm encouraged me to bring out my inner demons and desires and portray them into my work. I love working with him.
What are your words of wisdom to aspiring session stylists?
Assist, assist, assist! I was very lucky I had the best of both extremes in Nicky and Malcolm. Don’t ever stop thinking about hair, get a good salon background, learn how to cut so you understand how hair moves, shape and learn your techniques, always be open to learn and never think you know it all. Mistakes are the best way of learning; it means you’re trying new things.
What’s hot for S/S11?
This season it will all be about 70s glamour, as seen at Marc Jacobs. Look to Jerry Hall for inspiration. We can modernise it by the way we style it, and with finesse and the use of products.
Favourite show from the S/S11 season?
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. She smashed it. I loved the set, the grass coming through the runway, the basket-woven hair and of course the clothes. I also loved the hair at Louis Vuitton; the clothes at Diane Von Furstenberg and I always love Matthew Williamson’s shows – spring/summer is his season.
