We are thrilled to partner once again with the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) to promote all of the talented artists who are finalists for the 2018 NAHAs (North American Hairstyling Awards), the most prestigious hair and beauty award in the country. In this feature, get to know more about this year's Haircutting Finalist – Meredith Spiros.
Although a third-generation stylist, Meredith Spiros didn't always know that she wanted to do hair. Artistically inclined, however, hair came to her not out of necessity but as a true passion. Her absolutely stunning collection EVENTUAL highlights the beautiful way in which a stylist can show off color through a specific cut. Keep reading to learn more about Meredith as an artist and to see her beautiful work!
What is your favorite thing about being a hairstylist?
I love the many avenues the beauty industry has. As a licensed cosmetologist, for example, you could be an esthetician, a massage therapist, or hairstylist. Translation into real life means, experts in brow and lashes, the skin, muscular-skeletal, haircutting, color, hairstyling….etc!!.
Do you have a favorite haircut to create?
My favorite cuts to create are short cuts and bangs! I also love cutting curly textured hair ;)
What was the inspiration behind this collection?
My inspiration: fashion forecasting and the future. This collection is futuristic and androgynous. I created haircuts that are deemed masterful in our industry and made them my own by blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity. I named the collection, EVENTUAL.
What was your biggest challenge in creating this collection?
I originally wanted to create the bowl-style haircut look as a pastel tone with a root shadow, but the model’s hair was not conducive to the processes required to achieve the look. Her hair was somewhat fried, so I had to pivot my plan accordingly (like professional stylists do daily) and went with a dark tone to keep the hair healthy and the look pristine. The challenge was to stay flexible but also to stay true to my vision and execute a flawless haircut and color. It turned out that the final look worked so much better than I had imagined and it integrated really well with the total collection.
What does your collection say about trends?
This collection says to me that the lines between masculinity and femininity are integrating themselves in fashion and will be seen in the beauty industry more.
Tell us a little more about you, as an artist.
My name is Meredith Spiros and I am a 3rd generation hairstylist. My grandmother and mother were both “beauticians” back in the day! I realized I wanted to become a hair stylist in my early twenties. Initially, I thought fashion design was in my future and went to a local fashion design college – it was the fuel to my fire but was short lived because I then realized that I wanted to style the models hair and makeup more than dress them!
I started my career in Cleveland, Ohio wanting to be an educator for Aveda. After many years of hard-core Aveda education, I was voted Best haircut in Cleveland by Cleveland Magazine. That was the inspiration that burned the passion to continue educating and always being on the cutting edge of haircutting. At the age of 29, I was traveling and teaching haircutting, styling, and finishing as a Purefessional for the Aveda network and living in Chicago, where I still live and work today.
I continued educating and working with clients in a few of Chicago’s amazing salons. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with and or learning from icons such as: Oscar Bond, Jerry Gordon, Antoinette Beenders, Ted Gibson, Charlie Price, and Nick Arrojo, to name a few.
In 2007, I appeared on Bravo’s reality show, Shear Genius- Season 2. Since then, I’ve been focused on growing a strong business behind the chair and staying current in our industry. More importantly, I have this crazy passion to help stylist strive for effortless and stress-free days in the salon. I love being a mentor and growing entrepreneurs, not just stylists.
How do you Vegas?
Not very hard at all;) 3 glasses, no shots.
Salty or sweet?
UUUghhhhh both!
What did you learn about yourself through creating this collection?
I learned that moving forward is our best option.
If you won the lotto (or slot machine) tomorrow, what would you do?
I’d buy a house on the lake in MI. With a pool, hot tub and a garden and a built in kitchen outside. LOL Truth!
