Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Claire Grech | Image courtesy of Streeters
Claire Grech, Hair Stylist
Hometown/country: Essex, England
Based: London, England
Representation: Streeters
How would you describe your work? What’s your trademark?
I love creating characters, whether low-key and undone or big and extreme. It’s important to me that there’s a story and an element of beauty. I’m a big fan of reinvention.
How did you get into your chosen career?
Growing up, I hated my naturally dark curly hair and would constantly experiment with ways to change it. Then, at 15, I did a work placement in the most avant-garde hair salon my hometown had to offer and loved it. With two weeks of experience under my belt, I considered myself qualified, gave all my friends cuts and colors, and worked my way up from there.
What other jobs have you had?
My first job was making sandwiches every Saturday, I had to chop up hundreds of onions and mix huge vats of coleslaw, receptionist at a sound recording studio where I met my comedic hero, Julia Davis, and a night job (after days at the salon) at cocktail bar despite the fact I had no clue how to make cocktails. Every experience is valuable, though, and hard work always prevails in the end. Eventually, I moved on to working with some incredible hairstylists on shows, which led to becoming a first assistant for five years before being signed.
What have you watched/heard/read lately that has inspired you?
Hair-wise, I’m constantly inspired by people around me, in the street, on the tube—there are major characters everywhere if you’re looking for them. I’m always attracted to the idea of people creating their individuality through beauty. I recently watched the film Toni Erdman – a reminder to not take yourself and life too seriously. Right now, I’m reading Collected Stories by Cookie Mueller who was Nan Goldin’s muse – another inspiring watch was her documentary The Beauty and The Bloodshed!
What do you love about what you do?
I enjoy the variety of one day to the next, meeting new people, and constantly learning from my peers and my team. I have also been lucky enough to travel to some incredible places. And it’s fun!
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?
Work-life balance can be particularly difficult in this industry, and it is very easy to let work consume you, it can almost be encouraged at times with being busy equating to being successful. In reality there will always be some quiet periods, so taking that time to rest and reset is vital. I’m still trying to master it myself.
Selected Work
Anna Ewers by Oliver Hadlee Pearch | Image courtesy of Streeters
Anna Ewers for D La Repubblica
This shot of Anna was almost right at the end of a freezing cold day, running around a 600-year-old Tudor mansion. I had prepped loads of wigs and hair pieces for this shoot, and I just started piling on these gelled golden ringlets until she looked like a Diego Velázquez painting.
Deborah Akanni by Talia Chetrit| Image courtesy of Streeters
Phoebe Philo A1 Campaign
Working with such an iconic team of women, especially Phoebe Philo herself, has been beyond inspiring, and this picture captures one of many mega moments for the campaign shoot for the first edit of her namesake label.
Driver by William Waterworth | Image courtesy of Streeters
Emily Driver for D La Repubblica
William and I began collaborating shortly after I transitioned to freelancing, and I’ve cherished every project we’ve tackled together. For this particular story, there were lots of hair changes and bold styles, which took a lot of pre-planning but to me, this image stands out as the most beautiful for its simplicity.
Jessica Stam by Arnaud Lajeunie | Image courtesy of Streeters
Collecting Fashion
This day! I love shooting with Arnaud, as he has incredible energy that keeps everyone up. I mean, Jessica Stam is an iconic supermodel and the sweetest soul. This was for Alexandra Carl’s amazing book, Collecting Fashion, which highlights collectors and fanatics of some of fashion’s most coveted archive pieces. As you can probably tell by now, I love working with wigs and hairpieces, as it really allows me to transform the model in an instant. This hair was a nod to Galliano’s Dior women of the ’90s.
Kylie Minogue by Willy Vanderperre| Image courtesy of Streeters
Perfect Magazine, Issue 5, 2023
I mean…it’s Kylie Minogue. Thank you, Katie Grand and Willy Vanderperre!
