Want great hair? Condition it, says renowned stylist Frédéric Fekkai.
G FORCE | FRÉDÉRIC FEKKAI
He makes the cut
Want great hair? Condition it, says renowned stylist Frédéric Fekkai.
Frederic Fekkai didn't set out to become one of the biggest names in hair care. As a young man growing up in the south of France, he wanted to be an artist, a great sculptor. In many ways, of course, he has done just that, shaping the look of some of the most influential stylemakers and celebrities around the world. Fekkai makes a special appearance today from noon-3 at Saks Fifth Avenue, where he'll hold one-on-one consultations with a handful of lucky clients. We chatted with Fekkai about hair products, the physics of beauty, and why French women have a certain je ne sais quoi.
Q. French women are known for their style. It looks so effortless, whereas American women can look really overwrought, especially when it comes to their hair. How is their approach different from American women?
A. I wanted to introduce to the client how to be casual chic. The idea is to show them a style that is effortless. I'll tell you a story. I was at a conference yesterday. There was a French woman there, and she looked good. There was an American woman there, too, who was, maybe, more attractive than the French woman. But the American woman was too put together, too perfect. When it's perfect, it kills the natural sexiness.
Q. I've read that you always ask a client to stand and that you check a person's profile before you style their hair. Why do you do that?
A. Because, first of all, at Fekkai, we take the client's beauty and style into consideration before the hair. It needs to be that you understand the lifestyle of the client, their physics, their bone structure. You want to make sure the hair is the right ratio to the body. If you have bangs, that changes [the] shape of the face, the length [of the hair] - all of that makes a huge difference. It's important to know what's best for the customer. You have to guide them.
Q. If there's one thing we could all do that would make our hair look better, what would it be?
A. One thing is very basic: to make sure your hair has the right moisture, that it's conditioned to make sure the hair doesn't feel brittle or fuzzy. You want to use the proper shampoo, conditioner, or masque. If you have color on the hair, you need to have a shampoo that addresses the color and you have to alternate with one that addresses the volume or the texture of the hair.
Q. You wanted to be a sculptor when you were a child. How did you get into the hair business?
A. I was interested to go to fine arts school in Paris. I was accepted. But my dad didn't believe in being an artist. He wanted me to be a businessman. I went to law school, and I decided that wasn't for me. I met a hairstylist and makeup artist on a photo shoot. I was so attracted by what she and her assistant were doing, I asked if I could help. And I never looked back. That was the most disastrous thing for my dad. He's still not recovered.
Q. But in the process you've become an incredibly successful businessman.
A. I tried to explain that.
Space is limited. To reserve an appointment time, call Saks at 617-937-5261.
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