{"id":167105,"date":"2025-05-21T10:30:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T14:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=167105"},"modified":"2026-05-22T16:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:15:07","slug":"panos-papandrianos-on-crafting-characters-through-the-art-of-hair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=167105","title":{"rendered":"Panos Papandrianos on Crafting Characters Through the Art of Hair"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.<\/em><\/p>\n<style>\n.quote {\nline-height: 1.2em !important;\npadding: 35px 25px;\n}\n.wp-caption {\n    margin-top: 65px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141369\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/05\/panos-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1284\" height=\"1388\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-167107\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nPanos Papandrianos by  | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/Panos-Papandrianos\">Panos Papandrianos<\/a>, Hairstylist <\/p>\n<p><strong>Hometown:<\/strong> Athens, Greece<br \/>\n<strong>Based:<\/strong> New York City, USA<br \/>\n<strong>Representation:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/home-agency\">Home Agency<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark?<\/strong><br \/>\nI love the raw beauty of natural hair just as much as the sharp lines of something more structured. What really excites me is transformation, using wigs, and turning someone into a whole new character. My process is instinctive and in the moment. I might start with an idea in the chair, but once they step on set, everything can change\u2014whatever the energy calls for.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you first discover your passion for hair? Was there a specific moment that made you realize this was your career path?<\/strong><br \/>\nI was always obsessed with hair. I used to do my mom\u2019s and cousins\u2019 hair; they were my first and most important supporters. They trusted me, even though, as a kid, I had no technical knowledge. I was just figuring it out in my way. My dream was to work in fashion. I\u2019d flip through fashion magazines for hours, figuring out how those looks were created. The turning point came much later. At that time, I worked as a hairstylist on TV commercials and in theatre, trying to find a way into fashion. Then, one day, I was offered my first photoshoot job. I lied and said I knew how to do extensions. It was my first time using them, so I had zero experience, but somehow, I pulled it off. When the magazine came out, there was a rumor that I was some kind of new expert in extensions. Then, an agency reached out, and that\u2019s how I started working in the industry. It was a total fake-it-till-you-make-it moment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s your process for conceptualizing a look? Do you start with references, emotions, or something else entirely?<\/strong><br \/>\nSometimes, it starts with references; most of the time, it\u2019s just a feeling. I look at the model, the energy of the shoot, and the story we collectively try to tell, and I build from there.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you get started customizing wigs, and what do you love about using them?<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen I first started, I couldn\u2019t access the best wigs, forcing me to be experimental. I would cut them in half, change the color, mess with the texture, and destroy them until something worked. What I love about wigs is their superpower to transform and unlock different sides of people. It\u2019s a bit like acting; you become a new version of yourself. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What other jobs have you had?<\/strong><br \/>\nRight after school, I had to join the army. After that, I went to a hairstyling school and worked in salons. Later, I moved into doing hair for theatre and TV commercials. It was a completely different world, with long hours and a very specific aesthetic, but it taught me a lot. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What have you watched\/heard\/read lately that has inspired you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI recently saw an elderly woman on the train with a huge bleach-blonde beehive, flower hairpins, and red lips, and it reminded me of how inspiring New York is. It\u2019s like a constant fashion show out here. I\u2019ve also been exploring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gaia.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gaia<\/a> lately, an online platform that talks about health, spirituality, the universe, and how we\u2019re all connected. It\u2019s such an eye-opener; I like seeing things from a different perspective. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What have been the biggest challenges you\u2019ve faced professionally?<\/strong><br \/>\nI started over twice: leaving Greece for London and then London for New York. Each time, I had to rebuild everything from scratch and prove myself all over again, which was quite challenging.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s one thing outside of your work that you\u2019d like people to know about you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI love doing things that help me disconnect, like riding my bike around Prospect Park. It clears my head. I\u2019m also trying to keep a better balance between work and life. Spending time with family and friends is really important to me, and I make sure to go back to Greece as often as I can, especially every summer for a proper reset.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What advice would you give to aspiring hairstylists looking to break into the industry?<\/strong><br \/>\nDo it because you love it, not because it looks shiny or glamorous. Be on time, be kind, work hard, and stay curious. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who do you think is one to watch?<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Greek director, Yorgos Lanthimos, is one to watch. I love his aesthetic and how he brings fashion into the surreal worlds he creates.<\/p>\n<h3>Selected Work<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/05\/GigiSpread-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3000\" height=\"1296\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-167108\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nGigi Hadid by Alana O\u2019Herlihy | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/vogue-netherlands-vogue-netherlands-march-2023-covers\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Vogue Netherlands March 2023 Covers<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nFor this shoot, we decided to use only wigs, so I packed dozens of them.<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/people\/alana-oherlihy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Alana (O&#8217;Herlihy)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/gigi-hadid\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gigi (Hadid&#8217;s)<\/a> chemistry on set really made me feel like we were playing dress-up. It was such a fun day. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/05\/VMAG-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1290\" height=\"1604\" class=\"size-full wp-image-167112\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nLuyi  by  Alessandro Furchino Capria | Image courtesy of Webber Represents<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/v-magazine-shape-up\/1923975\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shape Up<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nI love this kind of surrealism. It blurs the lines between hair and sculpture in a way that excites me. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/05\/RaquelSpread-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1360\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-167109\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nRaquel Zimmerman by Andrew Jacobs | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/american-vogue-studio-session\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Studio Session<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nI love the simplicity of natural textures. There\u2019s something timeless and elegant about embracing hair in its proper form, and <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/Raquel-Zimmermann\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Raquel (Zimmerman)<\/a> looks amazing with her effortless vibe and laid-back coolness. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/05\/HairStoriesPersonalProject-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2419\" height=\"3024\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-167110\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\n Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Hair Stories&#8221; Personal Project<\/strong><br \/>\nThis look came together spontaneously while I was prepping for a job and came across an old black wig that reminded me of the punk singers from the late 70s. I started bleaching and cutting it, and I was completely caught up in it before I knew it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/05\/202206_V_BGETZMEZIBOV_PPS_01-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3210\" height=\"4013\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-167111\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nGisele Bundchen by Blair Getz Mezibov | Image courtesy of Home Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/v-magazine-v-magazine-summer-2022-covers\/1695397\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">V Magazine #136 Summer 2022 Covers<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nI was so excited to work with <a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/models\/Gisele-Bundchen\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gisele<\/a>. Her energy on set is contagious, and there\u2019s something about this image that feels like a real superhero moment. Among many amazing things, she\u2019s also known for her iconic hair, and this shot captures it in full force.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent. Panos Papandrianos, Hairstylist Hometown: Athens, Greece Based: New York City, USA Representation: Home Agency How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark? I love the raw beauty of natural hair just as much as&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":450,"featured_media":167107,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6476,12752,10414,16,13943],"tags":[12930,13154,9617,14912],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167105"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/450"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=167105"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":167116,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167105\/revisions\/167116"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/167107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=167105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=167105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=167105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}