Following a nationwide search, Revlon Professional® has announced five creative individuals who have been chosen as members of its Visionaries Team 2023. The talented five will enjoy a year-long mentorship programme directed by Revlon Professional® Global Ambassador and multi-award-winning hairdresser, Mark Leeson.
Mark commented: “Being a member of the Revlon Professional® Visionaries will help elevate their skill set whether it is salon, session or editorial techniques they are looking to improve. It’s not just creative skills we’ll hone though. This year-long programme will build their confidence and supercharge their careers. The programme has been designed to include presentation skill sessions, photographic shoots, and PR/social networking masterclasses that will help boost both themselve’s and their salon’s profile within the industry.”
With a record-breaking entry level this year, it was a difficult decision. But here they are – the truly magical Revlon Professional Visionaries 2023 team. What a line up!
Dodge MacKay at Andrew Jose (@hairbydodge)
Dodge Mackay has worked at London’s Andrew Jose for five years, working through their apprenticeship programme to the salon floor. Dodge first learned about the Visionaries programme after witnessing the 2022 team talk about how much they had gained from their journey. An ‘all-rounder’ in the salon, Dodge said: “I will always be the one who wants to push himself in the cutting and colouring arenas. The main thing I would like to take away from this amazing opportunity is to become a lot more confident in myself as a hairdresser and happier about positioning myself outside my comfort zone.”
Jessie Stride at Pink Soda (@jessierouxhair)
Jessie is self-employed and has been working at Pink Soda for six months. Focusing on the specialised area of creative colour, Jessie feels that this is an area where she shines. “I’m naturally creative and I really enjoy coming up with new ideas. I’m looking to elevate my skills in more aspects of hairdressing this year and especially learn about textured hair. I also want to improve my presentation skills so I can hopefully become a platform artist,” she said. Jessie loves how she has the power to make someone feel good and confident about themselves: “Seeing a shy person walk into the salon not wanting to look at themselves in the mirror, then fast forward three hours later to a completely different person who is confident and can’t stop looking at themselves is the most amazing feeling. It’s why I love doing what I do.”
Danny Malone at Macc Hair (@theunderdogdm)
With seven years of salon experience under his belt, Danny joined the Macc Hair team, Belfast two years ago. Danny cites himself as a good listener when it comes to clients’ needs: “In the salon, I’m recognised for doing a lot of creative cuts and colours,” he told us. Like his fellow Visionaries, the ultimate in hairdressing to Danny is making clients smile and feel good about themselves. An admirer of Mark Leeson’s work, Danny is going to take away ‘whatever he can’ from this year long programme. “I’m here to learn everything. It’s always good to learn different techniques and skills to help me progress and become a better stylist.” Keen to explore the avenues of shoots and sets, Danny sees himself creating the new and upcoming trends in the future and he would also like to specialise in gent’s hairdressing and creative colouring. With an ambition to win British Hairdressing Awards Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year, he hopes to learn some tips from the multi-award winning Mark Leeson.
Emy Roccabella at Danilo Giangreco (@emyroccabella_hair)
Working in Revlon Creative Artist Danilo Giangreco’s salon meant that Emy had her heart set on being involved in the Revlon Professional Visionary Mentorship Programme. With firm foundations and a love of styling and colouring, Emy is an all-inclusive hairdresser taking each client through the cut, the colour, the style. This year, Emy is keen to gain confidence in her presentation skills, and sharpen up her cutting technique. Admitting that her creativity often gives her sleepless nights, Emy hopes to help unleash all these pent up ideas, whether it finds her working on shows or photographic work. Keen to soak up Mark’s knowledge throughout the year-long course, she is very keen to ‘dive’ into the world of session hairstyling.
Ashley David Long at Directors (@ashleyatdirectors)
Ashley has worked for Directors Hair and Beauty Studio for over seven years and has the role of Manager. “I’ve been hairdressing for 17 years and when I started there, I just knew it was home.” Ashley first learned about the Visionaries Mentorship programme through Rio Agor Watts from Revlon Professional. “I was so enthused and intrigued by the process and the wonderful opportunities it gave last years’ winners that I knew I wanted to throw myself in and give it my best shot. I’m still in shock that I’ve made it.” With his key skills being a confident corrective and creative colour enthusiast, Ashley also enjoys working with extensions.
Going forward, Ashley hopes to follow Mark’s lead as a precision cutter. “What I love about our industry the most is the fact that it’s constantly evolving, no matter how long you’ve been hairdressing there is always something to learn and always room to grow. It’s ever changing and inclusive, diverse and wonderful and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”