Mullets, braids and pompadours
Stylist shares the art of her profession
Anna Majowski
Contributor
Francesca Walker enjoys creating hair designs like the up-do seen below. Photo: Anna Majowski
Francesca Walker goes to work every day with the ability to express her creativity through a different type of art form – hair.
And, her designs almost always incorporate some purple or pink.
Walker has been working as a hair stylist in professional salons since 2005, and said her job is fun and allows her to meet new people from all over the world.
“My favourite part of being a stylist is how happy I can make people,” she said. “If they’re having a bad day or need a change I make that happen. It’s a great feeling when they leave happy and loving what I’ve done.”
As a child Walker began demonstrating her interest in hair by braiding her doll’s hair.
“I think I knew then it was something I was interested in. When I started my training and learning more about techniques and what you can do with hair it confirmed that I wanted (to do) this as a career,” she said.
Walker explained that if you are not creative you won’t get very far as a stylist. She described her clientele as “empty canvases” upon which she gets to create and then teach them how to achieve a variety of looks out of one hair style.
“I think hair is an art form. It lets us express ourselves be it through haircut, style or color. You can completely change your appearance by changing a little or a lot of your hair.”
Photo courtesy Francesca Walker
When it comes to weird or crazy requests, Walker deals with a lot.
“I’ve had one client that liked getting his eyebrows shaved off when I cut his hair. First time I did it I was little nervous, but I got used to it.”
Some other weird requests, according to Walker, are made by hockey fans during playoff time. Last year a request her least favourite haircut was by a man who asked for a mullet and racing stripes along the sides. However, according to Walker every year the hair requests change up from the previous hockey season.
“Everyone has a different sense of style, so even if I’m doing same haircut all day it ends up different so it doesn’t get boring. Some clients like to dip their toes into the wild water and try something completely different on themselves, and it’s great taking them on that journey and giving them advice on what they should do.”
