Chris Appleton, arguably the world's most famous celebrity hair stylist, talks to Gentleman's Journal as he heads to Thom Browne's haute couture show
Words: Zak Maoui
Chris Appleton, the man behind some of the most famous hair in the world (his roster of famous names includes Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa and Jennifer Lopez) is no stranger to fashion week. As one of the world's most sought after hair stylists he's done his fair share of backstage trimming, shaping and curling. "I assisted an array of people, such as Sam McKnight, before going it alone and doing the hair for shows such as Chanel and Prada," the Leicester-born creative explains.
And so when Thom Browne invited Appleton, who is based in Los Angeles, to his haute couture show this week, it was a hard yes. "I love fashion week, it reminds me of why I got into this industry in the first place," Appleton, who has. background in editorial, says. "I was so fortunate to go to John Galliano's Maison Margiela show in February, which was an extremely dramatic showcase of fashion and beauty, and it was so inspiring."
And of course, getting dressed up is a natural part of the fashion week parcel. Ahead of the show, and an extremely long flight from LAX to Charles de Gaulle, Appleton jumped on the phone to discuss what he'd be wearing with us. Thom Browne is famed for his unique and instantly recognisable take on all-American prep - razor sharp grey tailoring with the unmistakable Thom Browne tricolour paired up with kitschy leather bags in the shape of clocks, dogs, cats, you name it. "I think Thom Browne is amazingly unique," says Appleton. "It's a really fun brand, but fundamentally is still all about very good clothes." For the show Appleton, who is a self-confessed lover of a nice-fitting suit had a couple of options. "They have suggested I wear shorts," he laughs, admitting that he never gets his legs out. In the end his suit was much more demure, and he opted for a grey slim-fitting suit, under which he wore a matching waistcoat and a crisp white shirt. You'd instantly know it was Thom Browne. The waistcoat was cut short and a little tighter to the body, while the grey hue was a Thom Browne signature.
But for Appleton an invite to a fashion show has to be considered. "Thom Browne is one of those brands I really admire," he says. "If you look at the way the brand operates, it's wholly inclusive in a 360 sense of the word. Take a look at the recent Met Gala, for instance. They dressed such a diverse array of celebrities, and it shows the sincerity behind the brand. Names in question include Cynthia Erivo, Rebecca Ferguson, Gigi Hadid, Queen Latifah, Steven Yeun and Alton Mason. "Thom Browne is a great example of how brands can be inclusive from a 360 approach."
For Appleton, who grew up in Leicester before relocating to America after being head-hunted by Jennifer Lopez, being recognised enough to be invited to fashion week is something he's grateful for, especially with a brand as esteemed as Thom Browne. He says Kim Kardashian inspires him to be able to transverse worlds, which in this case is going from the backstage to the Front Row. "Kim was always told she'd be a reality star and nothing else, but here she is as a lawyer, an actor and with a billion dollar business. When I was starting out I did an interview with a magazine and said I want to one day do hair for the cover of Vogue," he says. "They laughed at me. Now I've done the cover multiple times with these super famous women."
Photographer - Nicolas Suk Hoon
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