Darren Ambrose | Beauty Hub Magazine

“This industry is one of the most exciting challenging, fun, careers you’ll have.”

What country are you from and where do you live?

I’m from the United Kingdom. I was raised and live in the London City area.

Title of what you do and what company you work with?

I am co-owner, Art director, along with my wife Jackie Ambrose, directing and running our company D & J Ambrose, for twenty five years. Running a team within the company, we have a great artistic crew of talented creatives that always pass on their talents educating our young up and coming creatives within the salon. Nationally and internationally, we educate and perform shows, showcasing innovative trends and craftsmanship, specialising in cut, colour, style focusing on top to bottom imagery which is very fashion focused.

Education background (Hair school, art school, no school)?

I studied art at A level, along with other creative subjects. When I was seventeen, I joined a company called Clipso in Covent Garden London where I did my four year course covering all aspects of hairdressing, cut, colour, perming, session styling, avant garde styling, barbering, etc. They were the best years when I was hungry and keen to absorb what the industry had to offer.

What are your signature style/artistic expression to your work?

I’m probably not the best person to be asked this question lol! I think you always see yourself differently! I’ve won and produced a lot of images in the past that related to more expressive Avant Garde. In my later years,I have become a lot more diverse in what I create. I guess naturally I Iike things that challenge me creatively and work very much in the moment but with a story behind the images. I head towards things that are more haute couture and that have an edge, even if its consumer based.

Do you have a career turning point or big break that has helped your career?

When I was twenty two, I entered the British Hairdressing Awards for the first time, as New Comer of the Year, and won! It was awesome for me and the beginning of a life changing time. One of my goals was to try and win British Hairdresser of the Year, being the pinnacle top prestigious award to get. In 2015, I was awarded this top accolade which gave me a feeling of achievement you can’t describe and clarified what hard work and dedication can produce.

What was your scariest and proudest moment in your career?

I am thankful for being blessed with travel in my career, doing shows and education. I guess the scariest moments was being caught up in some political movements in some global countries and the odd scary turbulent flights lol!!!! The proudest moment apart from the previous question was bringing two beautiful souls into our lives, Tennyson and Norton my two daughters which give such amazing grounding of what life and all of this is about.

What is next for your career goals?

We are planning to shoot some cool things images next year. I already have some amazing show destinations in the pipelines, keeping the company on fast forward and most of all enjoy, have fun in what this industry throws at us.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in your business?

Find a company that focuses on supporting you as a young creative and gives you the best foundation of training, covering all aspects of this industry. Keep very focused on your training, it is tough at the beginning but you will never be unhappy if you are chasing your heart and passion. Put your phones away!!!!!!! and look, listen. Assist at all times and if you get the opportunity, go to all educational and show events your company has to offer absorb everything! It’s your time to feed that brain and if you quit all I can say is it’s a loss for you as this industry is one of the most exciting challenging, fun, careers you’ll have. You can be part of a team creatively, a salon owner, an educator, a show maker, a session stylist, perform your skills at fashion week, editorial shoots, travel the world, win awards for your skills, be an inspirational speaker, to say but a few things of what you can do. This industry is very lucrative and I think is one of the happiest, rewarding professions to be in!

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