Matt Clements: International Colour Ambasssador for Schwarzkopf Professional

International Colour Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional and Creative Director at The Assembly. Matt Clements is a true artist that executes creativity and delivers originality and innovation in all of his work. His accolades are a true testament to his full dedication shown on his work and is well-known as a stand-out colour technician. Meet Matt …

Matt, can you talk us through your career and how you got into the hairdressing industry? Tell me more about it and what made you take that path?

I started on my hairdressing journey when I was 15 years old – I had been working as an assistant in a salon one late night and Saturdays for about a year before I finished high school just so I could afford to buy my own records and music equipment. I had no thoughts at that time of becoming a hairdresser as I was doing music and still a lot of sport, but the creative bug caught hold and the environment really suited who I was becoming – there was no uniform, music playing, interesting people and of course girls! All I knew was that I wanted to be really good at something – noticed and respected, not famous or celebrity at all.

Your career has been so event-filled, what has been the most amazing opportunity you’ve had in so far?

Yes, I have been fortunate – my ethic of hard work, determination and an unfailing commitment to the craft has presented me with amazing doors which to walk through. I have had many amazing times, notably having being a Colour Ambassador in the Int’l Essential Looks Creative Team delivering fashion forward Trend Collections and Technical Education throughout the world for Schwarzkopf Professional alongside luminaries like Simon Eliis, Lesley Jennison, Richard Ashforth, Tyler Johnston & Jana Pätzold. Being awarded Australian Colour Technician Of The Year 4 times & opening The Assembly with my incredibly talented Stylist wife Kristin O’Connor.

I think the fit between yourself as an artist and that of the support company you align with have to be intrinsically linked.

As a Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Ambassador, how is it important to share colour formulas while tutoring hairdressers?How important is it to stay updated with the latest trends and color techniques?

This is so important – I think it’s at the core of what makes our industry so amazing, we share knowledge to grow others, to better ourselves and push the industry ever forward. I love being able to share my ideas and techniques and I’m always learning myself. I take creative cues from everything around me, quite often not hairdressing at all – a skater kid that has done his own hair, music, fashion & the street. At the end of the day, I practice and invest in myself and my craft.

How did you know Schwarzkopf was the brand you wanted to represent?

I think the fit between yourself as an artist and that of the support company you align with have to be intrinsically linked. Core values that you, your company and the product company have need to be heading in the same direction. I found this with Schwarzkopf Professional many years ago. I also run a business and work every day within the salon so it’s important that all who are connected with us is on the same page and wanting our success.

Can you talk us through the process when demonstrating techniques and formulations and how education is important when creating new Fall Collections?

The process of delivering successful, informative content for education is a relatively simple one – Know your audience and speak their language. I have always a simple code “you don’t know the technique well enough until you can teach it”. Breaking down the main components and bringing in visual cues and tools helps to paint the picture. When creating collections, mood boarding & story creation are essential! I will build tones & technique ideas by practicing on seen demonstrating/educating as a privilege and at The Assembly we have weft swatches and colouring head blocks or painting until I think I have an idea that fits with the brief and is keeping with the global fashion story.

The correct hair colour choice and technique can make any woman ageless and every haircut sing!

In what area do you think that hairstylists need to improve their services and when it comes to colors and cuts, especially with new trends and seasonal colors are constantly emerging?

Communication with their fellow team members about what sort of work they want to aspire to do is key. Again, a program like Essential Looks is all about the future trends that are coming, so it’s incredibly important to be prepared for what your client may ask of you. EL takes you from A to Z in the process which is important because each step of the way you’re learning how to put a strong deliberate look together with the knowledge of the fashion trends back story. This is invaluable information to help your work and your service stand out from the crowd.

When working with new color techniques, how do you decide on the color and technique used in achieving the right effect and method?

I start with the foundational tools…what kind of movement or texture does the hair have, what the hair’s natural level ( & colour currently in there) and what the desired look is to be? Of course skin tone, eye colour & lifestyle are very important too and are established early on. The correct hair colour choice and technique can make any woman ageless and every haircut sing!

What are the key points of consultation when choosing the right hair color?

Understanding your clients expectations of the service and reasons for wanting to colour her hair. Knowing the hair’s natural level, skin tone, eye colour & existing colours if any, are paramount to achieving a successful service. Also making sure the guest has a take home regime that she can follow.

You’ve worked and tutored in some really beautiful parts of the world. Do you have a favorite place so far [where] you really enjoyed the work?

Yes, I’ve been very fortunate to have travelled the globe quite a lot, much of which has been through hairdressing. Tokyo has always been my go to destination. I love working there too – they’re passionate, driven people with an eye for detail and an incredible work ethic. Noticeable others would be Barcelona, Berlin & of course London & New York.

The Assembly Hair Salon based in Queensland’s Sunshine coast has been operating since 2006. What can you share with our readers about your salon?

We named the salon The Assembly because it means “a group or gathering of like-minded people brought together in one place for a common purpose”. The salon is situated 100 meters across from a beach we regularly surf which is a bonus! The Assembly is modern and edgy and oozes a city vibemore than a coastal one, yet feels familiar. The music is a mix of cutting edge and timeless classics – a lot like the work we do. It houses some very talented individuals that desire to do more in the industry than just go to work.

In Dubai, women love colors that range from Ash to very Platinum colors. What advice do you give hairdressers and women that want this specific colors, especially a very dark-haired woman?

Condition is key. Without correct lifting & colouring there will be ongoing issues. Choosing a great colour product matched with skilled hands will always result in beautiful hair. A consistent home maintenance regime will also ensure you have great hair time after time.

What are the most popular colors that clients are asking for? What colors are predicted for the coming months?

I think we’re beginning to see a slight shift away from natural looking tones although the balayage animal keeps growing everywhere it would seem. I’m personally seeing people wanting to break out of that and become more daring again which is exciting for me as a colourist. I like to push stronger work that is still high end and beautiful…even punk executed well on the right person will not only look striking but incredibly beautiful as well – I adore strong women with a strong self-belief & awareness of who they are. I’m currently working with a lot of muted coppers mixed with grey/silvers & golds. And I’m regularly brushing in metallic browns and blue black to deep warm browns to really accentuate & highlight the richness.

Is it important to win an award to make a name for yourself?

This is hard to say as I have won numerous awards, so does that influence my answer? I don’t think it’s as important as perhaps it once was, because of social media – not everything is as it may appear online

How important is social media for growing the business and what platform is mostly used by you?

I enjoy social media and what it can offer but I am also acutely aware that it can also be very distracting and take you away from the things that matter – I prefer to be doing hair! Instagram is my go to but FB is of course always there. It’s interesting that some countries I visit favor one more than the other but I can see positives for both in business.

What has been your proudest moment and biggest accomplishment so far and explain to us the feeling of winning an award? Is it significant winning an award to make a name for yourself?

Definitely having been awarded Australian Colour Technician Of The Year 4 times was an amazing achievement. I’ve been entering National awards since I was about 17 (30 years ago!) and first became a finalist at 18. I’ve truly never competed against anyone else, I never see it like that. I set goals and I’m really excited to push myself & see how far I can go – to learn through the process is very rewarding. Is it important to win an award to make a name for yourself? This is hard to say as I have won numerous awards, so does that influence my answer? I don’t think it’s as important as perhaps it once was, because of social media – not everything is as it may appear online. But I do think there is more credibility gained from certain corners of our industry. I truly believe that good honest hard work pays off, somehow, sometime – and there is rarely a substitute for it.

Who would be your ideal person to style, color or give a complete change and why?

I think Tilda Swinton would be great to work with – she already oozes cool and confident but I think I could add a little something extra! Bowie would’ve been amazing to style throughout the 70’s too!

What is your absolute must-have product?

I never quite know what to say to this as there are many……My own colour range for Schwarzkopf Professional called Disheveled Nudes in the Igora Royal portfolio. I co-created this range with Jorge from Xpresion & we are intensely proud of the shades we’ve done! And, next I guess would have to be Schwarzkopf Professional’s Blonde Me Lightening Powder – incredibly even lifting power with awesome condition…this then opens up so many possibilities to create further! Oh, and the Blush Shampoos in Blonde Me – a must!!!

What advice would you give to hairdressers that want work in fashion shows and on celebrities’ hair?

Focus on your goals and work hard, every day. Nothing more true or simple than that. Take every positive opportunity that comes by, one successful job leads to another – this is my belief to this day.

Describe your typical day/week in the salon. How can you be contacted, for an appointment or to attend your classes.

When I’m not away educating & doing shows I am on the floor with my wife & my team 5 days a week slinging the colour brush! I can be contacted via social media platforms and website/email for both appointments & education &/or mentoring.

 

Thank you for taking part in this interview. Is there anything you would like to add or share with our readers that we haven’t covered?

Thank you very much for having me, it’s my absolute pleasure!  Perhaps I could leave your readers with a thought…

“Don’t chase success for fame or base your worth through social media numbers. Instead, build you, your skills, knowledge & your brand slowly and surely as experience cannot be taken away from you once you have earned it” – Matt Clements

Credits
Images: Matt Clements