25 Years of Fashion and Creativity.

By Scott Sloan, Sloans

When I opened the doors to Sloans 25 years ago, I never imagined the journey that lay ahead. The industry has changed in ways we couldn’t have predicted, trends have come and gone, and yet my passion for hairdressing has never faded. What has been one of the driving factors that has keep me motivated? Fashion.

For me, staying motivated has always been about pushing beyond the walls of the salon and immersing myself in the global fashion world. Fashion is where art, beauty, and innovation collide, and I’ve been fortunate enough to take my craft all the way from Lane Cove to the runways of Paris, New York, and Milan, and work alongside the most legendary industry names.

These experiences have kept my love of hairdressing alive and allowed me to bring that energy back to my team, my clients, and the Australian industry as a whole.

Finding Fresh Energy on the Global Stage

There’s something electric about being backstage at Fashion Week - the controlled chaos, the creative problem-solving, the demand for perfection under pressure. Every show is different, and every fashion designer brings a unique vision that we, as hairstylists, help bring to life. In 2019, I was reading the latest Vogue fashion show coverage and realised that I hadn’t felt that buzz in some time. I was feeling very safe and comfortable in the work I was doing, so it was time to push myself again and experience unknown places, people and situations.

I decided to put myself out there and contacted some of the industry’s biggest icons to offer my services for assisting at Fashion Weeks around Europe. As someone who had been a Hair Director nationally for many years, this was a huge shift, but honestly, it has proven to be utterly transformative.

Travelling overseas every year now to work with legends like Guido Paolo, Damien Boissinot and Sam McKnight has been nothing short of incredible. To watch them create and see their thought process, their precision, and their ability to push boundaries - it’s like getting a front-row seat to a masterclass in innovation.

The art of collaboration backstage at international fashion weeks under their guidance has made me feel like an apprentice again. It’s reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place - because hairdressing is not just about cutting and colouring, it’s about artistry. Now I’m able to bring this refreshed energy to my roles closer to home when I’m called on as a Hair Director for local events.

Bringing Global Inspiration Back Home

One of the things I also love about working in fashion is the ripple effect it has on my team and the salon. I’ve always believed that opportunities should be shared, and I make it a priority to include them wherever I can. In fact, when I was over in Europe recently, I was able to have a few of the team assist with prepping hair back in the salon for Melbourne Fashion Festival.

There’s nothing more rewarding than watching the next generation of hairdressers experience the fashion world. It challenges them, sharpens their skills, and shows them just how far this career can take them. I’m passionate about giving my team those opportunities. At Sloans, we’ve had stylists assist on local and global runways and the energy they bring back is infectious. Being in that high-pressure, creative environment pushes them out of their comfort zone and completely shifts how they see their craft. It’s an education platform that inspires and elevates our whole team.

Fashion as a Lifeline for Creativity

For me, stepping into a high-pressure, highfashion environment is a way to stay sharp. It forces me to think on my feet, to collaborate, to adapt quickly. And most importantly, it brings fresh energy to my work at Sloans.

Clients want to feel like they’re getting the latest trends, the freshest techniques, and a salon experience that feels ahead of the curve. By keeping one foot in the fashion world, I ensure that Sloans is always at the forefront of what’s happening globally. Not every client wants a blunt pixie cut straight from the Paris runway, but my team can then tailor that concept to suit them and their style and that is where the magic is.

Leveraging Business Partnerships

Partnering with a brand like L’Oréal Professionnel isn’t just about using great products, it’s about opening doors to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

A few recent highlights were being named Hair Director for Christopher Esber’s first-ever Paris Fashion Week, leading a team of some of Australia’s best stylists, as well as more recently, Hair Director for two shows at Melbourne Fashion Festival 2025.

For both these opportunities I was also able to engage my sloans team in the process- sharing my prep process in the salon, having some of them with me behind-the-scenes, and demonstrating firsthand what’s possible with meaningful brand alignments. These collaborations don’t just elevate our individual careers, they elevate the entire salon, inspiring everyone to reach for bigger and better things.

In fact, some of the team have already put this into action by sourcing their own opportunities. I’ve been so proud to watch as they have independently connected with designers, photographers and fashion titles to create editorial work born out of this confidence.

Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years

The fashion industry is constantly evolving, and that’s what makes it so exciting to continue to explore new opportunities. I don’t ever want to stop learning, creating, or challenging myself.

I’m so excited to head back to the Paris, Milan and London circuit next season, but first I’ll be headed there for my big 50 bash!

Wherever I find myself though, my goal is simple: to stay inspired and to inspire others along the way.

How You Can Deliver Fashion Magic to Your Own Salon

• Offer to assist your icons– If you admire someone in the industry, reach out and volunteer to help them on shoots, events, or shows. The experience and connections will be invaluable.

• Network at industry events – Attend hair expos, fashion weeks, and industry workshops to meet key players and stay informed on new opportunities.

• Keep an eye on who’s doing what – Follow hairstylists, creative directors, and fashion brands on social media, engage with their content, and make yourself known.

• Collaborate with other creatives – Connect with and work with your local photographers, makeup artists, and stylists to build a fashion-forward portfolio together that gets noticed.

• Bring fashion trends to your clients – Stay ahead by translating runway trends into wearable styles your clients will love and feature these on social media.

• Choose the right partners – Working with brands that have fashion links ensures you have access to cutting-edge products, education, and opportunities to be part of fashion-driven initiatives.

• Keep learning and evolving – Enrol in masterclasses, watch tutorials from the best in the business, and always look for ways to refine your skills specific to fashion shows and editorial styling.

• Create your own internal campaign shootFlex your creative fashion muscles and inspire your team by creating your own reasons to explore trend creation. Work with an experienced photographer to really fast track that growth.

• Get involved with local college fashion shows – Approaching local colleges to do hair is such a great way to meet new collaborators and put creating and delivering a brief into action.

Fashion is about innovation—embrace it, and watch your skills and passion grow!

SSXX

@sloanssalons