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CLOSE UP WITH HAMISH GLIANOS

Internationally revered hairdresser, Hamish Glianos, started his career young and on rocky ground.
MAHOGANY HAIRDRESSING
91-93 Macleay Street, Potts Point

"When I was 15 I performed a week’s work experience in a hairdressing salon. I didn’t know what to expect, it was all so overwhelming. It was a high profile salon in Queensland and I couldn’t get over the vanity of it all. There were beautiful woman everywhere! Like any 15 year old, my career path was uncertain, but from what I remember, it felt natural to be part of such a creative environment. I was never an academic, so to my mother’s dismay, and waste of private school fees, she was horrified when I said I wanted to do hairdressing!
It soon came to light that my motives were not only hair related, and I was positive that working in a hair salon was a sure-fire way of picking up girls! I remember the salon owner pulling me aside and saying that if the pursuit of women was my only goal, I’d never make it as a hairdresser.” laughs Hamish.
“When I completed high school, I approached Stelios Papas, my best mate’s Dad and the Godfather of Hairdressing in Queensland. I knew that if was I was going to take this seriously, I would have to work for the best, and Stelios took me on. When she saw how dedicated I was and how much passion I had for hairdressing, my mum soon saw that things were not so bad!” says Hamish.
It wasn’t until 1994, when Hamish worked alongside Richard Thompson of Mahogany London, whilst on one of his national tours, that he made a pact to himself to take his skills to a new level.
“I was utterly endeared by Richard’s talent, knowledge and passion for hairdressing. I made a promise to myself that once I was fully qualified I would knock on his door in London and ask for a job. Four years later and back in Sydney, we now work together as peers. Mahogany Australia was my vision and after a pain-staking 2 years I finally opened the doors to Mahogany’s Sydney base in Potts Point.”
Hamish not only holds the Australian key to the crypt of the Mahogany institution but has also become one of the country’s most respected hairdressers and educator.
“Mahogany has always had a true commitment to the education of the next generation of hairdressers and this is something I too personally believe is essential to the industry. We spend a substantial amount of time producing workshops, teaching at seminars and industry shows and are working hard towards expanding the Mahogany salons with a vision of opening a Mahogany Educational Academy soon. I want to be able to offer Australia the same level of high fashion cut and colour teaching Mahogany is renowned for the globally.”
Hamish and his team take regular international trips to ensure they remain on top of the game and leaders in trends and education; however it is his gentle nature and true passion for hairdressing that makes him different to many others. Hamish is a favourite with television production teams, working as the official stylist for Australia’s Next Top Model, Australian Idol, MTV and the MTV Australia Awards 2008.
“Dreams and dedication are a powerful combination.” Hamish was the official stylist for Australia’s Next Top Model, Australian Idol, MTV and the MTV Australia Awards 2008.
MAHOGANY HAIRDRESSING
91-93 Macleay Street, Potts Point