insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 12 - February 2016 | Page 34

WEDDINGS

VICKI LORD BRIDAL HAIR
At insideSUSSEX, we wanted to get some more inside info from the best bridal hairstylist in the
UK, so we caught up with Vicki Lord.

It’s official, you are the best bridal hairstylist in Kent, or so I hear?
[Vicki smiles and laughs] I guess I am; I won the accolade for Best Bridal
Hair at the Kent Wedding Awards again, so that’s three years running,
and Best Wedding Hair Stylist in London and the South East for the
National Wedding Industry Awards, which I was thrilled about...and then
when I won the Best Bridal Hairdresser for the whole of the UK at the
Nationals, I was so honoured.

What is the difference between working with celebrities as
opposed to with brides?
Nothing. I treat brides as I would VIPs and most of the celebrities I have
worked with have been lovely.
Do you give them the cliché hairdresser chitchat?
Probably. I am just myself, and I do what I do best and that’s hair; but
most bookings are for at least a couple of hours, if not a whole day, or if
it’s a video shoot then it can be a few days, so I am relaxed around my
clients, and I consider some of them friends now too.

Before we go any further, how does a hair expert have her hair
styled for an award ceremony?
I went for a sleek high ponytail for the Kent Awards, and for the Nationals
I kept it simple with my signature sleek bob.

Do you find it difficult balancing your bookings?
I love my job, and I love being busy with work, but I am also a mum, and I
run my academy too, so yes sometimes it can be challenging, but I have
a fab team of people I work with.

Is it difficult to maintain an image as a well-known hairdresser?
Ultimately, my job is about making others look stunning through the art of
hairstyling, and so I often wear black clothes and key jewellery items to
stay subtle but stylish, and because I love hair, I do try to keep mine looking
good, but when it comes to a wedding booking, it is all about the bride.

Tell us about your academy.
I teach other qualified hairdressers how to do editorial and bridal up-dos.
The courses are approved by the hair and beauty industry body, Habia,
and awards students 21 hours of continual professional development.
It is so important to keep learning about your trade, and I love that I am
learning while I’m teaching too.

You have a fantastic portfolio of brides with so many different
styles – what are the most popular?
Every bride is different, but there has been an increase in desire over the
past couple of seasons for a fusion between modern and vintage. I still
love the Marcel wave, and many brides opt for this style because it is so
sophisticated and versatile.

You can find out more about Vicki on
vickilord.co.uk and vickilordbridalhair.co.uk

What is the most popular hair accessory?
It depends on the dress, theme, hairstyle, and the bride herself, but I
always recommend what I think would suit the overall look. The boho
style always looks fabulous with fresh seasonal flowers, and simple styles
are often lifted with glitzy slides.
What products could you not live without?
So many! Most clients want fullness and volume, and to achieve these
I use Batiste dry shampoo, and Balmain hair extensions. I also love
Moroccan oil and my selection of styling tongs.

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