Lash Debutant
The
by Ravi Sagoo Men's Style Editor
I’ve just had my first brush with the International Lash Industry as this year’s host for The Lash Events UK Conference 2018. Similar to the ‘debutante’ culture across many societies where the ball gown takes centre stage, I too felt that my attire should make a ‘lashing’ impact, and those of you in attendance may have noticed I donned my ‘millennial’ style kilt. I did so for many reasons, but in the main to celebrate our International Editor Louise Tierney’s Scottish Roots in this truly global industry. I first met Louise a few years ago at our former alma mater, Glasgow Caledonian University, where we were both invited to speak about our career journey. I hail from a presenter/journalist background with the BBC, and it was the first time I had come across the Lash Industry – bar the time I bought some strip lashes for Halloween as I tried to pull off a Bollywood look! What sparked my interest into this ‘alien’ industry is how Louise grew her business and brand from Glasgow, my home city. I remember Louise talking passionately about the ideas that came
31 - Lashes
Above: Lash Lift results
I energised this word. In our career path we are not guaranteed instant success and we will all fail or have challenges at some stage. Some of these challenges take place away from our office and work; from health issues, to relationships, love and bereavement.
to her whilst sitting on a train. This led her acting upon her ideas right there and then via her laptop. She energised me away from the ‘media bubble’ which us luvvies so often tend to vacuum ourselves in.
It is imperative to allow ourselves time, space and balance. The point I was making to the students in attendance was to embrace such times in one’s career and use it as fuel, be it a rejection letter or email, and I took copies of my own rejection letters and emails to show the students.
I too spoke about my career path, across Radio and Television and simply offered an honest and brutal account of my career to date. I coupled this with some open and honest sub narratives from life’s journey, and I candidly spoke about my success, what inspired me, and the ‘F’ word.
After meeting Louise at this event, we met up for coffee (and cake!) in Glasgow and she suggested I could host one of her events in the future, explaining the foundations behind the UK Lash Conference and what it would entail.
‘Failure’.
I was still somewhat clueless at this stage, but signed up immediately, it’s the extrovert within me.