Gianluca Grechi

What country are you from, and where do you reside?

I am from Italy, originally from Tuscany but based in Milan.

Title of what you do and if you are aligned with a brand or company.

I am Global Artistic Ambassador for milk_shake and I design the education for the brand.

Education background (school, salons, self-taught)?

My mom used to be a hairdresser, with a salon in Tuscany, in Pisa. I started there really young but I moved to London at the age of nineteen. Lived there for almost four years, studying in Sassoon, working with a company named Allilon (Ena Salon), moved back with a background in education as well. With my mom we opened three salons together, then the education side of me was growing and I started to collaborate more and more with Davines and Angelo Seminara.

What is the first creative project that you remember?

It was a personal project, my very first collection, it was called Gemini, the idea was cool but ended up being a disaster. I was very proud of it, at that time I was too concentrated on myself. Then I started to realize what an incredible industry there was out there, how many talents, how many stories. It was the needed switch.

What is your signature style/artistic expression of your work?

It’s a great question, because I reckon it’s something in constant evolution. I love elegance with a touch of roughness and organic feeling and textures. Simplicity with a twist.

I have always been captivated by colours, I think there is a huge space still to be explored there. I find very mind fulfilling those colours, those combinations, those textures, that you don’t get at the first look. You feel you need it and you want to take a second look.

What is the most fulfilling job you’ve worked on or someone you have worked with?

That’s one of my weaknesses, because my most fulfilling job is always the next one, the one I still have to do. I don’t look back a lot. Although, I find myself very privileged and lucky to have worked with many huge hair leaders, Tim Hartley, Angelo Seminara, Johnny Othona, Eugene Souleiman, Guido Palau.

Do you have a career turning point, big break, or person who has helped your career?

Moving to Milan, leaving the salons, starting putting myself into Session hair styling and into full time education with brands. Our industry is beautiful because you can take it to so many places, although at one point you need to focus on one. I have to say that in this a huge lighthouse has been Francesco Maria Ferri, probably the greatest coach of our industry.

What was the scariest and proudest moment in your career?

Have to say that they are actually the same moment. When I left the salons behind and went my own way, freelancing. Going from one agency to the other. That was uncertain and refreshing at the same time. I didn’t know if I could make it or was good enough.

What is next for your career goals?

Try to be more happy about the little achievements, the little steps. I would love to see more people achieving their best potential. And then keep creating, keep teaching, keep walking.

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

Stay true to yourself. Absorb everything you can from everyone you get across with. But then be you, find your own style, without trying to be someone else. Stay true to your purpose, keep walking with passion and dedication.

Instagram: @gianlucagrechi

Website: www.gianlucagrechi.it