Laurent's Privé Blog

When I sat down to write this blog, I had every intention of giving you a behind the scenes peek at the photo shoot for my recent collection, which of course I will do. As I played back the day in my head, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud about some of the awkward and rather embarrassing moments that took place on set and felt obligated to share.

Behind the scenes at the photo shoot.

Successful photo shoots are truly a collaboration of great minds that are creatively in sync. From the photographer and the models to the wardrobe stylist and makeup artist to, of course, myself, teamwork is essential. I was lucky enough to have our Artistic Director Franck Izquierdo fly in from Miami for the day to help. I even invite my stylists from the Privé Salon to assist. However, with this particular photo shoot they may have gotten more than they bargained for when they agreed to “assist”.

Do you recognize our model?

With that said, I love the art that my client David Lynch creates. By art, I mean movies. They are provocative on so many levels: erotic, sultry, edgy, shocking, dark – all the things I wanted to accomplish with this photo shoot. I think you can clearly see his influence in these images, particularly with the placement of the models – this was the first time we’ve ever gone outside our usual portrait approach to photo shoots. But pay close attention to the male models being used in the background; you might just recognize a few as Privé Salon NYC stylists and educators. Now look even closer. You may notice a certain stylist isn’t wearing pants. This would be one highly embarrassed Aaron (that I am embarrassing once again) who was coerced by the wardrobe stylist to “assist” by posing as a model (he/she was enamored with his beautiful tattoos). I personally think he looks fabulous and the ladies love him, but he has requested that we don’t use his photos as part of the collection. I’m sorry to disappoint but this is your only peek.

In all seriousness, this new creative approach to shooting a collection was something I relished. We shot in the upstairs bar of the Soho Grand Hotel where our NYC salon is located. The location enhanced the shoot, as it had rich, dark furniture and the atmosphere served as a beautiful and glamorous backdrop. Although the images are so different then what you’re used to from Privé, we actually worked with the same talented photographer Seth Sabal that we’ve been using for the past six years. We were also fortunate both to work with a highly sought after wardrobe stylist, Kithe Brewster, and to have jewelry loaned to us by Lazaro, who was getting ready to leave for a photo shoot in Paris with Lenny Kravitz the same day as ours. In fact, Martine and I nearly walked off with the jewelry that was for Lenny! When we opened the package given to us by the manager the morning of the shoot, we were in awe of the large number of incredible pieces they had loaned us – thankfully another employee caught the mistake before the jeweler showed up in Paris with the wrong pieces!

Vice Versa Collection

As for the models, I wanted to create a scene that you would expect to see in one of David Lynch’s movies, one full of beautiful, alluring women. You can see from the longhaired model wearing the fur vest that it was inspired by the 1940’s, but although we used pin curls, it was very modern looking. On the other end of the spectrum, the African-American model was just as chic but far edgier, much like Grace Jones. I actually had not even seen the model until she showed up on set; she was literally found by the photographer just hours before we began. She was so beautiful and versatile we were able to drastically change her looks with extensions, as you can see from the photos.

The finished product

All in all I couldn’t be more pleased with the end result of the collection, which we named Vice Versa. I am grateful to work with such a brilliant team, a few of whom would take their shirts off their back (or drop their pants) to bring my vision to life. This was such a big departure from what we are accustomed to at Privé but in order to evolve one must take risks; something everyone should consider as we enter this new year.

Au Revoir,

Laurent

I love a good party and the holidays give me plenty of opportunities to indulge. After spending Thanksgiving in the Hamptons with friends, I’m now leaving the colder climate for much warmer days in Miami. I mention my climate transition because despite us all experiencing winter, depending on where you’re at, the effects on your hair can be drastically different and you may want to just give up and hide it under hat – whether that be one made of fur or of straw. Here are a few of my personal tips to stay très chic during all the festivities.

For those in chillier states like New York, hairstyles tend to reflect the clothes. Women wear designer winter coats and scarves so their hair tends to be neater and often shorter. A fashionable bob is ideal for this time of year, but keeping it frizz-free isn’t easy when you are constantly going from heated buildings to cold and snowy streets. Protect hair with Privé’s Thermal Protection Detangling Spray, which closes the hair’s cuticle and leaves hair with a smooth, glossy finish. Melanging Shine Serum into dry hair helps prevent flyaways and keeps hair tame. Coloring hair darker in the winter is also very evident in colder areas. Protect new color by using a shampoo and conditioner that does not contain parabens or sulfates, such as our Concept Vert collection. This combo will help keep dark color vibrant.

My clients at Privé Beverly Hills, who are blessed with warmer temperatures, tend to keep their hair longer during the winter. But just because it is sunnier and the weather is less harsh, winter can still pose plenty of problems. In addition to the damaging UVB and UVA rays, a semi-arid, desert-like climate like LA’s can suck the life out of hair, especially in the colder months. Using a conditioning hair mask, like Privé’s Intensive Mask, can restore hair’s moisture and bring it back to life. Try wrapping your hair with cellophane, apply heat with a blow dryer for fifteen minutes and rinse for a more intensive treatment. As a rule-of-thumb, always trim hair regularly in the winter to avoid split ends and breakage.

Happy Holidays from Privé!

Regardless of where you live, fantastic party hair is a must ALL times of year. You would never accessorize a beautiful, new dress with dirty gym shoes – your hair is one of your best accessories! The messy bun is one of my favorite looks this season. It’s easy to do and always looks festive. Simply brush hair back, put it in a pony tail, wrap around and finish. Voila! You have a beautiful bun that is stylish and versatile. Pony tails are also very chic and easy to accomplish. To create a sleek, smooth pony tail, use a product that controls unwanted frizz and fly aways like Privé’s Flash Brilliance. Flash Brilliance soothes and moisturizes the hair, leaving it silky and shiny. You can also apply heat to the hair to add an extra dimension of shine. Finish it off with a statement barrette from Chanel or Dior for a posh finish.

Whatever you have planned for your holidays, I sincerely hope you have an amazing time and look fabulous doing it. As we head in to 2012, I want to say merci to all the friends of Privé. I love what I do and I could not do it without your support. Je t’aime.

Au Revoir,

Laurent

I’m not James Bond or a secret agent, but like the classic 1963 Bond film, I have a story to tell “From Russia with Love” and it does contain quite a bit of action. Plus, I’d like to think that I have a little “international man of mystery” in me. I recently returned from a whirlwind trip to Moscow to launch Privé in Russia and this trip was definitely not without excitement. Not only did we teach styling and cutting classes, but we put on a large scale fashion and hair show in just three short days.

Getting ready for the show

We had twelve models for our runway show, all Russian beauties that would put any Bond girl to shame. They were a mix of Russian celebrities and models that were dressed to impress in fur from designer, Igor Gulyaev. Privé Artistic Director, Franck Izquierdo, did some amazing winter updo’s on stage to match the look. I’ve noticed that in colder places like Moscow or New York City, women’s hair tends to reflect the clothes they wear. In winter, when ladies are bundled up in coats and boots, hair tends to be up in a ponytail or a chic updo. In addition to these updo’s, the hair for the runway showcased very full, crimped and teased styles.

As always, the fashion show proved to be action-packed. It took place at a local lounge and restaurant with tons of people dinning in the downstairs area. For some reason, the manager of the restaurant removed the projection screen, making the venue less than desirable for a high-fashion hair show. My inner .007 came out and I went tête-à-tête with him to make sure the area was perfect for the show. Of course I got my way and the everything turned out wonderful. We ended up getting the models ready in the small lounge area that had room for about 50

people and 47 of them were smoking. I must have forgotten what it was like growing up as a kid in Paris because the cigarette smoke actually bothered me. I had to keep going outside to get fresh air and then returning back to the lounge to finish doing the hair. Not very James Bond of me… The runway show took place downstairs in front of all those dinning in the restaurant. Our entire team had an amazing time in Moscow and we know there will be many more stories to tell from Russia with love.

The beautiful hair at Richie Rich

Coco Chanel once famously said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Never is this more apparent than in New York City during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The city comes alive with those who live and breathe fashion. There is an electric feeling in the air as the town becomes even more chaotic than an average NYC day. I have been working various fashion weeks around the world for over ten years now and I never get tired of the energy, the vibe and all the craziness. Ultimately, out of the chaos comes beauty and we all know I love to beautify the world.

This year, my fabulous Privé team and I were lucky enough to be invited to work on four different shows: Helen Yarmak, Son Jung Wan, Richie Rich and Calula Lilibelle. I love the feeling backstage before a show and I have learned to thrive on it. Like an actor on opening night of a Broadway play, the scene backstage is madness, but the second you hit “curtain call” you get to see your ideas and work come to life. When we first arrived at the SL Lounge to prepare for the Richie Rich show, it was dark. We couldn’t find any plugs and after some extensive searching, we finally found them on the ceiling. In the words of Tim Gunn, we had to “make it work.” So we plugged our dryers in the ceiling and created some gorgeous hair for the runway. I take a lot of the lessons I learn at fashion week home with me when I leave. Life can be crazy, but if you take a step back there’s often an answer right in front of you, or in my case, on the ceiling.

Richie Rich and I

Backstage at the Helen Yarmak show, was no exception. The fuse continued to blow every 20 minutes. We had a lot of models to finish and a decision had to be made quickly. I moved my chair and work station directly next to the fuse box so I didn’t have to keep running around every time the power died. Like everything in life, when you encounter a problem at fashion week it’s best to slow down and find a solution. When you step back and take a breath you can often find the answer, no matter how unconventional. Ultimately, you are rewarded with the amazing moment when the lights are on, the music is playing and the look takes flight. Everything is beautiful when it comes together. In the end, this show was one of my favorites. I absolutely adored Helen Yarmak’s use of brightly dyed furs for warmer weather. The concept of wearing fur to the beach was very cool and innovative for spring. I also loved the hair we did for this show. It was very sleek and beautiful, plus I loved the shine!

Helen Yarmak Show

As the chaos calms and we move in to spring, we can reflect on the stunning styles and trends we saw this year. Long hair and fringe will stay with us for the new season. Layers will often be invisible. Instead of heavy layering there will simply be enough to create movement in the hair. Remember, spring is a time for rebirth, a time to clean out your closet and most importantly a time to step back from every day chaos and see the beauty in the world.

Amazing fur and gorgeous models

The Privé' team with Cosimo Minnella, owner of Canadian Distributor Salon Centre.

A few members of our Privé family recently visited Winnipeg, Canada to kick off the Privé Products launch with our neighbors to the north. As we continue to grow and add yet another new country to our network, I can’t help but reflect back on my humble beginnings. I’ve always felt that staying true to your roots means you will develop in a way that doesn’t compromise your core values. If you remember your roots, I truly believe they will always guide you back to where you want to go and keep you from losing sight of what’s important.

Like many people in this industry, I started out as an aspiring hairdresser. I began as an apprentice in a Biarritz salon when I was just 16. My hard work and perseverance payed off and I went on to open my own salon, eventually relocating to Los Angeles to partner with Jose Eber and open 10 salons. Next came Privé Products, which to me, wasn’t just another business venture. Developing Privé was a way for me to share my passion for creative hairdressing with other likeminded hairdressers. I was creating a line in the European fashion for the true artist. One that performs at the highest standard, one that can be mélanged to accomplish every hairdressing desire and one that met every expectation I, as a hairdresser, would demand of a line. Regardless of Privé’s success, I promised myself that I would always stay true to my roots – I am a hairdresser first and foremost.

With that said, here we are years later and I’m proud to say I’ve stuck to my guns. Although I’m busy with Privé Products, I continue to work behind the chair at both the New York and Los Angeles Privé salons. Because of this I continue to stay in touch with what my fellow salon owners and stylists need from both an education and product standpoint so we can deliver everything they need. And most importantly, to this very day, Privé products are exclusively sold to the premier salons in the world. Only a hairdresser can understand the importance of this promise and mean it.

With that said, I encourage you to always stay true to yourself when you are doing anything in life. If you stray from the “real you,” one tends to shift course. Remember what brought you to where you are today. This will give you strength to continue in whatever you set out to do because you know how hard you’ve worked to get where you are. And be comfortable in your own skin. If you do this, I believe you will continue to succeed in life.

As for our new Canadian friends, I can’t wait to see what your incredible talent can do with Privé. If my products and company inspire you, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do all those years ago.

Au revoir,
Laurent D.

Chase Kusero demonstrating Privé's back cutting technique

When you travel as much as I do for work, you have to learn to expect the unexpected. I was very excited for my upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia. Privé was set to open our first salon in the Middle East and I was invited to attend the grand opening. Due to Middle Eastern religious practices and customs, men are not typically allowed in salons, so I was thrilled for this unique experience and honored to be invited. Unfortunately, the unexpected happened. There was a mistake with my plane tickets and I never stepped foot in Saudi Arabia. Luckily, Martine Blanchet, the manager of the Privé salon in New York, was already in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia for the event. Upon her return, she shared some amazing stories with me.

This entire story begins with a young Saudi woman named Haya Al Dossari. She first saw me on television and began researching Privé products and philosophies. I never expected that a chance viewing would lead to our first salon in the Middle East, but Haya contacted me and the rest is history. I am so inspired by Haya and truly believe that women like her are the future of her country. She is a smart, ambitious young woman, who manages to merge her career into her life in a way that still respects her culture, her parents and her religion. We knew that to do her justice, the grand opening event would have be a “grand” event. Martine and the Privé staff in Al Khobar did a fabulous job setting up a giant tent similar to those used at New York Fashion Week.

The grand opening event was a huge success. Over 100 very posh Saudi woman were in attendance, including Princess Jawaher Bint Naif Al-Saud and Kuwaiti actress and singer, Maram. All the models’ hair was styled by the Privé staff and Martine describes the event as a “first class hair show.” The audience received tips on styling their hair and how to use different Privé products. Since I was scheduled to attend the event, the women were dressed in traditional abayas that covered them from head to toe. Once it was announced that I was not able to attend the women unzipped their abayas to reveal their chic clothing, many of whom were unexpectedly dressed in Chanel, but of course that is the beauty of Saudi Arabia – expect the unexpected. I look forward to seeing where the Privé brand expands to next in the Middle East and how our new salon does, as I expect it will be very successful.

Au revoir,

Laurent

There’s a saying that says, “a silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone” so I thought it would be appropriate to start my first blog by saying “merci” to all those salon owners who motivate and inspire their teams – you are the reason why our industry thrives and Privé wouldn’t be here without you. Although, I cannot thank each of you individually, I want you to know how much we appreciate and respect you.

Recently, I was able to personally thank some of Privé’s hardworking salon owners when my wife, Fabienne, and I invited them to our Punta Mita home. Privé recently hosted our First Annual “Privé Trip to Paradise Contest.” The top four salons with the highest dollar increase in Privé sales per chair won a trip for two to Casa Kalika, our exclusive Punta Mita getaway in the Four Seasons Resort near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The winners arrived at the Puerto Vallarta airport and were greeted by Fabienne, who ensured they made it to our home with ease, where I was excitedly waiting to greet them. That first night we invited all the guests to join us for a welcome cocktail party, fiesta-style, with plenty of margaritas, mariachis and delicious cuisine. This party proved to be one of my favorite parts of the trip. It was amazing to be surrounded by a group of like-minded peers who truly love Privé products. We talked hair most of the night and our guests shared with me different ways they mix products to obtain more texture or shine. I can honestly say I learned a lot about Privé that night.

The rest of the weekend our guests enjoyed great food, lounging by the pool and a trip to the surf town of Sayulita. Overall, I think everyone had a great time. From my perspective everyone was fantastic and seemed happy to be there. I also want to thank all of our salons who participated in the contest – Ellengray Kennedy and Andrea Bernhard from Spa-Dee-Dah in Bancroft, Iowa, Bethany Tyrrell and Jessica Hands from Bliss Salon & Spa in Lafayette, IN, Marc and Debbie San Fillipo from Salon Brio in Pittsford, NY and Bruce and Jennie Nguyen from Illustrated Salon & Spa in Seattle, WA. Everyone really put their all into this friendly competition – I am optimistic there will plenty of opportunities to entertain more of you in the future.

Not only am I thrilled to be able to chronicle my Privé journeys through this new blog, it now gives me a way to easily connect with you and share my appreciation for all you do. And since it can’t hurt to say it again… thank you.

Au revoir,

Laurent