Hamilton hairdresser heads to London Fashion Week

Six years of hard work and dedication is seeing Hamilton hairdresser Michael Hewin going to London Fashion Week.

A young Hamilton man is among five up-and-coming New Zealand hairdressers heading to London Fashion Week this September.

Michael Hewin, 21, a hairdresser at Fabrik, was selected as a 2014 NZ Industry Hair Award newcomer finalist on March 7.

Along with being a finalist, Hewin has also been selected to be a part of Industry Hair’s creative team, who have been invited to London Fashion Week, New Zealand Fashion Week, and the Sydney Hair Expo this year.

Michael Hewin celebrated success in March, is now heading abroad to represent New Zealand at London Fashion Week.   Photo: Michael Hewin Fabrik Facebook
Michael Hewin will represent New Zealand at London Fashion Week.
Photo: Michael Hewin Fabrik Facebook

“Five new members were invited to join the creative team,” Hewin said.

“A group of us are going over to London, and I feel extremely grateful to be given this opportunity to represent New Zealand overseas.  I hope this experience will not only benefit me but other young hairdressers.”

His growing excitement is also met with a few nerves as his schedule at Fashion Week and funding to get to London is his own responsibility.

“Hairdressing is very political, we aren’t given a set timetable for Fashion Week, we have to make the schedule up by ourselves with contacts we make while at Fashion Week,” said Hewin.  “And we have to pay for the trip individually, so right now I am aiming to raise $1500 for my flights to London.”

An online fundraiser has been set up by Hewin, who is giving out personalised rewards for people who donate.

He is also working with local designers and makeup artists for editorial photo shoots in Auckland as well as an upcoming fashion show in May for breast cancer awareness.

“I take a lot of my inspiration from everyday things mixed with ideas I see,” said Hewin.  “You can put any haircut on any person but you need to make sure you personalise the cut or style of that specific person.  They should be able to manage the haircut after they walk out of the salon. It must work for their lifestyle and personality.”“He is an amazing hairdresser,” said Kate Powell, who is a client at Fabrik.  “He really caters to an individual depending on their lifestyle, personality, and aesthetic.  I think he will be very successful overseas.”

Hewin started his hairdressing career in 2008 and is a senior stylist role at Fabrik salon, on Victoria Street.