Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Alexandry Costa | Image courtesy of Artlist
Alexandry Costa, Hair Stylist
Hometown/country: French Riviera
Based: Paris
Representation: Artlist
How would you describe your work?
I would describe my work as a blend of creativity and inclusivity. It embraces various styles, eras, and cultures while remaining impactful and meaningful. This versatility allows for a rich exploration of ideas and emotions, making my work timeless and relevant.
What is your trademark?
Empowering, reminiscent of the French Nouvelle Vague and the Swinging London. Nonchalant or opulent. I particularly like the weather’s effects on hair—the dry and matte texture of bleached hair, the perfect shiny vamp’s waves, the undetectable touches that can subtly transform a look. Or, the total opposite: extremely dark, gothic, eccentric, deconstructed, polished, glamour as hell. But it always needs to be wearable. And all of that while treating hair with kindness.
How did you first discover your passion for hair, and what led you specifically into the world of hair?
When I was a child, I paused on the scene where Sleeping Beauty danced in the woods just to admire the swirls of golden hair that fascinated me. I also loved styling Barbies in punk fashion and combing my mother’s eight Persian cats. Also, my grandfather was a successful hairdresser and cinema wigmaker in the late ’50s—hairdressing has always been present in my family. I was lucky enough to have him as a trainer at the very beginning of my hairdressing apprenticeship. I was interrogated and tested on different finger wave eras. I thank him every day now for his precious heritage.
What other jobs have you had?
Bartender and a street painter.
What inspires your creative process and influences your artistic vision?
A wide array of experiences and observations deeply influences my creative process. The interplay between cinema, art, history, and encounters can spark unique ideas. Inspiration can come from the little things—a flower, a fragrance, or even a silhouette. Everything is dangerously inspiring for me, transforming the mundane into something beautiful and evocative.
What have you watched/heard/read lately that has inspired you?
Alessandro Michele’s debut show for Valentino was a stunning display of opulence and beauty.
A captivating book by Stéphane Manel on the tumultuous life of artist Nicolas de Staël, titled Exercices de Staël.
Hedi Slimane’s archives.
A short film by Serge Lutens starring Anjelica Huston that I absolutely adore.
And a beautiful, uplifting message sent to me by Oribe Canales seven years ago.
What do you like about what you do?
I do this job above all because I love images. Composing textures is like creating characters, drawing reality or eccentricity, following the vision of photographers and other creatives, and being enchanted by a moment when everything is fragile and can disappear the next second—a ray of light, an emotion, a piece of hair that flies beautifully.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?
The unpredictability of sculpting with hair, where the material itself seems to guide the outcome, adds a level of artistry and divinity to the process. Balancing the known and unknown can be hard, especially when working with a client or designer—it can be a daunting challenge. But I am deeply connected to that unpredictability, which allows me to push the boundaries of what’s possible. That blend of creation, risk, and innovation likely fuels my passion.
What’s one thing outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?
Above all, I love people. Love is at the center of my life. I have received and still receive so much love and so much to give back. And I am kind of a witch—I can feel everything.
Who do you think is one to watch?
Currently, I am obsessed with Vincent Rockins’ look.
Selected Work
Dana Smith by Pamela Dimitrov & Deo Suveera | Image courtesy of Artlist
Beyond Noise
This image was made in Paris with Pamela and Deo. Dana Smith’s captivating look and a clear idea of James Valeri’s style make the hair a part of the stylistic composition. Simulating hair after the rain was very poetic to me, and I loved it.
Fanny Patarin by Zora Sicher | Image courtesy of Artlist
Beyond the pleasure principle
The amazing Zora Sicher shot Fanny Patarin for AnOther Magazine, and it was so good. She reminded me of a 1940s French vamp, and the connection between the soft, round waves parted on the side, and the shape of the dress styled by Rebecca Perlmutar was fantastic.
By Shayne Laverdiere | Image courtesy of Artlist
The Hair001
Shayne Laverdiere created this image for a project called “The Hair001.” We paid homage to an old picture I couldn’t date or find information on; it obsessed me for a long time. It feels like an 80s New Wave meets Ancient Egypt vibe.
Beth Donaghy by Harley Weir| Image courtesy of Artlist
Double Magazine
We created this image with Harley Weir and Max Pearmain for Double Magazine. I loved the timeless vibe, and I’m a big fan of Harley’s work.
Lily-Rose Depp by Pierre-Ange Carlotti | Image courtesy of Artlist
Interview Magazine
Pierre-Ange Carlotti shot this image of Lily-Rose Depp for Interview Magazine in Paris. We felt free, as we were on a boat by the Seine. It was an unforgettable and very inspiring moment for me.
Lulu Tenney by Felix Cooper | Image courtesy of Artlist
Vogue Hong Kong April 2024 Covers
Felix Cooper shot this cover of Vogue HK with the wonderful Lulu Tenney (who is an absolute divine muse) in Marseille, south of France. The wind in Marseille can sometimes be a mess to deal with; trying to control the wind for a good shot can be such a thing, it makes me feel like a magician sometimes.
