Meet The UK Award-Winning Hairstylist Carving A Niche In the Industry
“Hairdressing has always been my passion and I will never want to change this” Let Lew says. The Malaysian-bred hairstylist moved to the UK around 12 years ago to start a career in the industry.
During the course of his 18-year career, Lew has taken on various roles, from hairdressing and editorial hair styling to fashion make-up. He has worked in various fashion weeks in London and Prague and is one of the winners for Affinage Colour Rebels 2017, among other achievements. He is also the owner of Let Lew Hair Design.
Meet the award-winning hairstylist and Founder of Pro Hair Tape, Europe’s first professional hair tape brand.
Can you tell us about any challenges and what gave you that push to keep moving forward?
The biggest challenge to me is moments when I’m not motivated and feeling I’m not progressing. We all need quiet and still moments in life but utilize your quiet moments to reflect on what you have done and achieved. Visualise and plan is what I always practise and keep me moving to my next goal, regardless is small or big goals, when you reached it, is the best feeling.
Aside from being a salon owner, you’ve taken on various roles within editorial and session work as well as won several awards. Tell me how you worked through it all and your inspiration behind hairdressing?
Staying sensitive and alert to the industry is what gives me the inspirations. I watch and read most fashion related updates and shows. They keep me fresh and help training my eyes for within the fashion and session industry. I will try my best to understand arts and enjoy masterpiece works created by artists. Getting the essence and inspirations from arts.
When it comes to your work, what are your personal standards for a finished look?
I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to finishing a look. I can practice and practice or experimenting for hours but not happy with the result, or I can just happened to create a look within minutes, just because the feeling is righting my eyes agree and happy with it. My standard of finished look has to be a balance of neatness and feelings, you know it when it is right.
What inspiration goes behind creating a collection whether it be entering a competition or being a photoshoot?
Very often my inspirations start from a piece of music, the vibe it gives me. I start visualizing moments for the piece of music. Elevate that idea towards hair, clothes styling, models, venue, colours etc. Then I start my mood boards if that feeling getting stronger about my vision.
How has your routine and work changed during the pandemic? Have you Adapted to the ‘new normal’?
Since the pandemic, I utilized the lockdown as my free time to create and learn something new. I don’t want to come off the lockdown feeling I was same as 3 months ago before lockdown. Connecting with new industry friends and learning new skills were one of my small goal during this pandemic.
What sort of challenges did you face during the amid the longer-than-expected pandemic, professionally and personally?
Business is staying strong after 1st lockdown, however after 2nd and 3rd stop and start of lockdowns within England, it certainly weakened most businesses. Keeping myself motivated and believe that my salon will be back to normality after pandemic is been a great challenge. I think we will have to see when we really are at the other end of pandemic.
What was the defining moment when you realized you want to become an editorial stylist?
I always have a big interest in fashion, but never have thought much of getting myself into editorial hairstyling. Until an opportunity came up with a colleague who introduced me to work on an editorial shoot with a local magazine in Malaysia. I fell in love with the experience straight away, I finished the shoot with a buzzing feeling inside me. I loved the process and seeing everything came together as a team. From that moment I know this will be my ultimate passion for within my hairdressing career.
“Don’t try to be anyone else but yourself, I believe there is always a place for everyone. Your audience will love you for who you are and your style.”
How do you keep challenging yourself?
Always have a goal, regardless whether is small or large, for your life or career. Have the vision and start planning, that is always at the best practise to keep yourself motivated. Evolve and put your ideas to actions, things only happen when you start action. You only live once.
The hair industry is undeniably fast-paced, and hairdressers have to always follow up with the latest trends. In your opinion, what makes a successful hairstylist?
Don’t try to be anyone else but yourself, I believe there is always a place for everyone. Your audience will love you for who you are and your style. You will only be your best when you are in your element. A successful hairstylist needs to accept criticism, be humble and kind to peoples who you meet along your journey. Drop your ego.
What memorable moments from your career so far would you say has been the most pivotal for you?
I had one of the most memorable but also thankful moment in my hairdressing career, I was clipper cutting a gentleman’s hair, he was one of my very first man’s haircut at that time. It took me about an hour for just clipper the back and sides. He lost his patience and rip off his gown, turn around and staring at me saying “You don’t know how to cut hair do you?” I was finished at that moment. From then onwards, I told myself I will never let that happen again. Here I am 18 years later, thank god that only happened once. LOL
What motivates you personally and professionally each day?
Responsibility and career are my everyday motivation. Responsible to my clients who support me every time they visit me, responsible to the path I chose to be my career and continue walking to the very end of it. And I Look forward to putting every step forward and be my best.
Tell me the importance personally investing in your team? How often do you meet with them, and how do you think this impacts them?
Kindness and soft approach are my personal investment to my team. Understanding every team member and give them the freedom as well as respect. In exchange of their hard works and be their best version while at work
How do you feel competing in award shows has helped you as an business owner?
Competing in multiple awards help my clients understanding my style. Knowing that I’m pushing my brand further to a better position, will give my clients confidence. Definitely no damage but only benefits to my brand.
Let Lew
Let Lew Hair Design
Images: Let Lew
Interview: Romy