Omar Antonio is many things. Artist, dancer, hairstylist, painter.“But what I’m most proud of, and some people may not know, is that I am also a proud father of four children -ages 27, 26, 22 and 19,” he shares.
He was only 15 when he had his first child. So, he dropped out of school and worked at any job that would hire him. “It wasn’t until 10 years later that I enrolled into cosmetology school. I figured after 10 years of working hard to support my growing family I decided it was finally time to find out what my true artistic possibilities where and I found that answer in cosmetology school.”
In 2006, he was introduced to the Sebastian design team and began his journey with the Sebastian company that “should forever shape my world.”
For the last 12 years, he’s traveled the globe and was able to share his passion of cutting and styling hair as well as celebrated “our cutting techniques and true methodology.”
“What’s even better is the experience of meeting other artists who share the same passion for hair and learning about their techniques and education,” he shares.
He now lives in a very small town called Benicia in Northern California and has a little art studio called Studio 971, where he creates all of my work.
“I am an international artistic team member with the Sebastian company. They have given me many opportunities to showcase my work. “
Eight years ago, Antonio was given an opportunity to present and avant-garde model at the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) in Las Vegas.
“At the time I was playing with the notion of transforming hair into fabric. I took very long thin strands of black hair and begin to crochet the hair in a very erratic manner.”
“I created a dark maleficent dress with a wide set of horns on her head, all out of this very delicate crocheted hair. I created a strong silhouette with a soft weightless feminine texture.”
In February of this year, he presented his second hair dress on stage at the Sebastian What’s Next Awards in Los Angeles.
“My inspiration was the courage and strength of androgyny in fashion. I created an almost armor like outline. Strong shoulders, strong exaggerated hips, and a mask. “
The entire dress was made of thousands of little braids and took about three months to create. When unveiled on social media after the show, it went viral.
He decided to make a third dress in Japan, which took eight weeks to create for their deadline, three months ago when he was asked to visit to join the cast of 6 Avant-garde specialist for an evening of avant-garde.
With five volunteers helping with the production – in an order assembly line – the dress, which was much larger than the previous dresses and more complex – came together in time.
“We took black human hair and manipulated it using products like Sebastian Shaper hairspray and Sebastian‘s Shine Define non-aerosol hairspray.”
“Teasing the hair, crimping it, stretching it out on a table and ironing the hair into a light weight transparent fabric, which was then cut and sewn under the sewing machine and hand stitch together piece by piece. To create an embroidered effect, we sewed and infinity braid into the dress for texture and support.”
His fourth dress will be unveiled this September in Paris. When looking at Antonio’s dresses, it’s shown his concentration usually is the silhouette.
“Creating something that has a strong presence but has a very feminine softness to it. Each dress that I create has a story that showcases a different woman. Strength. Fear. Courage. Vulnerability.”
When asked what inspires him, Antonio revealed “so many things” inspires him.
“Right now, I have really been inspired by the courage of self-expression through fashion and hair, street kids, punk rockers, androgyny. I am inspired by new found confidence which is why I have really been inspired by making masks for the models. “
”When you look at my dresses you will see that my concentration usually is the silhouette. Creating something that has a strong presence but has a very feminine softness to it.”
“The mask represents security and removing the mask on stage represents strength and courage. The headpiece I designed for Japan was something very new to me.”
He had to bring “something new to the table, something unexpected.”
His artwork tends to be a little more on the Gothic side of beauty while his music and choreography are very moody and dark. So, he decided to create a mask that slides open on his own to unveil the models face.
“It was not easy. There were a few prototypes that didn’t make the cut, LOL. But the final mask was absolutely jaw-dropping.”
He also added that he has a tattoo on my right arm that reads “those that see the invisible, achieve the impossible”. My creations start with a sketch, a very minimal couple of scribbles on a white piece of paper. These creations slowly come to life by trial and error. It’s amazing to see the journey from sketch to runway. It’s one hell of a ride.”
A little later this year, in October, he will be showcasing all of his four dresses and putting them on display at the corporate office and training center in Calabasas. Antonio plans to speak for about 45 minutes about his inspiration for each of the dresses.
“I’m really excited about it. And then next year we will do the same at our New York Academy. We will be inviting beauty bloggers, all of the hair trade magazines, and their beauty editors. My whole salon is going to come, my parents and family. That will be so dope!”
First Impressions Salon
Benicia California
Instagram: omarantoniosebastian
Facebook: omar.antonio.56
Twitter: youngunz1814
Credits
Images; Omar
Editorial; Samar
