“To be irreplaceable, you have to be different!”  Coco Chanel

I often come back to this quote when I am preparing for a presentation, working on a show, prepping for a busy salon day, and every day I live!
We all want to have something or be someone that is special which stands out ahead of the herd. I have never been a fan of following what other people are doing, creating, wanting to be, or dress like the others in mimic styles. I have embraced this unique and different style, since I can remember. I think back to high school, when I went through many phases and identities. (Come on now, so did you!!!!) Anyway, I think of the times with my Madonna meets Prince meets The Cure. Ok, maybe a bit of George Michael too! I liked to carry a skateboard and wear safety pins in my clothes that were strategically snipped and cut. I never once tried to skate, and it was the perfect accessory! The next day a pair of “stone washed” jeans (“pegged” of course), and a pair of Bass loafers my great reward for this was to have many different and unique friends, which exposed me to all of their interests and ideas. Friends from all of the different “clicks” were my friends all together. I was one day with the spiral perm girls who carried Liz Clairborne bags, to the football playing jocks. (OK who do you think my favorites were?) Hellooo! The Liz girls! They were fabulous with new bags every week! LOL! I have recently had this reunion with my long lost high school friends, and I must admit, I was a bit overwhelmed to think of these people as adults, and are they going to be as fabulous as they were in school? The reunion was great and it made me giggle, that as far as we all have come, I was still the most unique and different. My career in which people joked that I was wasting my life, became quite the envy. The Liz Clairborne girls were now carrying some Louis knock off, while I felt fab and loved the fact that a long time ago I carried that skateboard everywhere, though now traded it in for the new “perfect accessory” …. a leather Prada clutch! LOL!! Ok, and the jocks ….were still Hot!!!! There will always be a new “Hot Topic” which will make a listening ear raise to attention, a younger bright someone, who will put you to the challenge! With these, I always remember that these things or people, who come along, will in fact keep you stimulated to make your unique talents and personality come to life! Always dare to be different! It separates you from the followers!!!!

So, think about being irreplaceable in the salon, I have always looked at hair fashion as a brilliant way to express your creativity and keep all canvases unique in design! Though in our busy schedules, it is so easy to start placing that same partial 32 rolodex foil pattern on most everyone! 32 horizontal across the lid, 2 on the temporal, and I pull my hair up, let’s put some in the nape! If you are giggling, you know who they are!!!! I find that most everyone knows this pattern, and guess what? So Do Your Clients!!! I am sure they will make it into a “Home Kit” soon! So, instead of keeping it so simple, and placing a contrasting tone in streaks, try placing back to back designs in a diagonal form throughout the same grid, and make it different and special! Take a rich medium warm red brown, against a hi light of 2-3 levels lighter. In Goldwell speak, try utilizing Topchic 10 vol 3% at 30 mls 6BG at 20 mls 10 mls 6KG in contrast with 12 Series Ultra Lite Blondes 40 vol 12% 40 mls and 20 mls 12GN. Give this a colorwash of colorance 10GN for 20 mins later.You will have the perfect balanced smoulderery “Brazillian Brunette” this will be an irreplaceable technique and formula to keep them coming back! Hope you love it!!!

There are many people in my life in which are so irreplaceable! I mean, I feel like Beyonce when I speak about some, though there truly are many that I could not live without! So, I just need to share that some of the best times of my life has been shared with a fab friend “D”. We love to laugh, call each other fat, and sometimes go out to “pop and lock”. The most fun is when we are out and people wonder what makes us so, ok, let’s say fabulous? We look at each other and then respond…..We’re from Europe!…Oh yeah, what part?….We say…All of it! LOL!!! I am so fortunate to have someone in my life that I can share, bounce ideas with, and of course…call fat!!! LOL!

So irreplaceable fashion….Hellooo!!!! I am so excited that the new tailored tweeds are so back. From Ralph Lauren to I am sure the Jaclyn Smith collection! LOL!! Ok just kidding! Though these blazers and tailored pants with a high tight knee length leather boot and a signature tie from three (my favorite tie designer see her website on my home page), will be a different and memorable look to keep everyone knowing just how irreplaceable you are!

Remember that we are all special and all have amazing talents we are all unique in so many ways. Though sometimes it is so easy to lose the person you are and get swept up in this crazy world, and lose your unique identity, just as Coco stood strong while giving women power and elegance. She is an icon for being timeless, daring and strong. She dared to be different before her time, and to this day most designers mimic her classic cuts. Where would we be without the “little black dress” or the Chanel blazer and skirt combo? Just like Coco, I always try to be different, not because I need to be, but because I am! This is something that comes naturally when you allow your mind to go there! Keep allowing your self to grow and explore. Try a new accessory, skateboard or a prada clutch! But do it because it is ultimately you, and you will be irreplaceable.

I hope you enjoyed this adventure. Please come back for a fun story, a quick trick and formula, a taste of fashion, and a hopeful new inspiration and motivating message. Tell a friend, post a comment or just keep coming back for more every week.

WWJSD??????