A supermodel-turned-celebrity hair stylist, Colleen Khan swears by her undying passion for styling and hair care. In fact, she makes it a point to work with people of all age groups to bust a lot of scary, hair stereotypes. In a chat with DNA, she reminisces about the styling in the days gone by and what to look forward to.
When did your discover your passion for styling?
My mom ran a salon in Mumbai and as a kid, that’s what inspired me to take up styling as a profession. What started as just being a spectator while mom worked, soon became my passion and profession.
What about your brief stint as a model?
I started as a stylist in 1989 and then branched into modelling, before becoming a full-time stylist. It all happened when one of my clients, who was also a photographer, coaxed me into modelling.
How did you start off professionally?
I studied hair styling with Moris Master in London along with a colour course. During my brief stint as a model, I established a few contacts, which is why I chose to style for ads and films. Offers started pouring in and I got the opportunity to work with the likes of Sushmita Sen and Aamir Khan.
In India, how has the styling industry evolved over the last 10 years?
A. I must say it has changed radically. When I started, it was a career which society looked down upon but gradually, it became a cool and hip career choice. Also, earlier it was hard to procure quality products for a salon — it either had to be imported or bought from outside but now, they are readily available in varieties.
How to go about choosing an appropriate hairdo and colour?
A. I generally start off with a 15-minute chat with a client before deciding on a look. While the profession and mindset needs to be kept in mind, the comfort level and the willingness to experiment also matters. The last thing I want to do is force a look I fancy on my client. When it comes to hair colour, it depends on the lifestyle and, of course, the age.
Are you working on any Bollywood project?
A. Recently, I styled Prateik Babbar for My Friend Pinto and his long, wavy hair makes it easy for experimentation.
Any favourites in the industry?
A. It would have to be Sushmita Sen. She loves trying out new styles and even volunteered to trying a perm, which she carried off beautifully. I want to work with Kangna Ranaut some day — her effortless sense of style shows how comfortable she is with her looks.
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