John Sahag has influenced my career and craft for the last 13 years. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to have him as a mentor, and I cut hair based on his techniques and teachings and the way he looked at hair, creating an edgy look – almost rockstar-like, but with shapes of elegance and sophistication.
For more than 30 years and counting, John Sahag has been internationally recognized as a creative innovator in hair design. His work continues to influence professional hairdressers around the world. Best known for developing the “dry-cut” method, Sahag believed that when hair was cut dry, it created a natural shape that followed how the hair’s natural growth pattern. By cutting the hair vertically and using shears to taper the ends, Sahag followed the hair’s natural flow and carved out a look that brought out the client’s best features, rather than a look that simply framed the face.
Sahag said that “cutting and shaping hair is a very personal an intimate experience for me. I always try to stay alert to the magic, so I can carve out shapes that are demanding to be born.” Seeing salons worldwide use the same “wet cut” technique, Sahag felt that this standard way of cutting was too boring and lacking any artful innovation. To surpass the conventional norms in hairstyling, Sahag experimented with the craft, approaching the hair the same way he approached art and sculpture. He began cutting and carving shapes into the hair, looking for a way to create a style that was versatile yet also brought out the individuality within people.
With Sahag’s dry cut technique, he was able to eliminate the excess bulk and weight of the hair and add movement and thickness where it was naturally needed. Each cut “worked like magic” – it allowed the stylist to visualize the hair and watch that vision develop, section by section, as the hair fell naturally in place with the cut. After the finished cut, the client was able to wear the hair any way they desired, whether it be wavy, curly or straight.
For Sahag, haircutting was an art that required an understanding of every contour and angle to create a precise cut that fit each client individually. In 1985, Sahag opened the Sahag Workshop to share his unique craft by training fellow craftsmen in his art. Due to his innovative vision for cutting hair, Sahag earned himself a reputation in the fashion industry, with his work appearing in fashion magazines, television and the runway. His passion for hair continued on, and he created his own hair care product line in 1999. Each product was precision-designed and formulated for perfection to unveil the “magic” within the hair.
Sahag passed away in 2005, but his artistry continues on in the hands of the stylists who – under his ardent training – mastered the craft and executes his vision to perfection every day. I believe he is one of a kind, and like me, we both shared the vision of wanting to do hair differently from the traditional methods. I will always be grateful for all that he has taught me, and for helping to shape my career .
Photo Credit: http://johnsahag.com/
Michelangelo with Scissors: John Sahag
John Sahag has influenced my career and craft for the last 13 years. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to have him as a mentor, and I cut hair based on his techniques and teachings and the way he looked at hair, creating an edgy look – almost rockstar-like, but with shapes of elegance and sophistication.
For more than 30 years and counting, John Sahag has been internationally recognized as a creative innovator in hair design. His work continues to influence professional hairdressers around the world. Best known for developing the “dry-cut” method, Sahag believed that when hair was cut dry, it created a natural shape that followed how the hair’s natural growth pattern. By cutting the hair vertically and using shears to taper the ends, Sahag followed the hair’s natural flow and carved out a look that brought out the client’s best features, rather than a look that simply framed the face.
Sahag said that “cutting and shaping hair is a very personal an intimate experience for me. I always try to stay alert to the magic, so I can carve out shapes that are demanding to be born.” Seeing salons worldwide use the same “wet cut” technique, Sahag felt that this standard way of cutting was too boring and lacking any artful innovation. To surpass the conventional norms in hairstyling, Sahag experimented with the craft, approaching the hair the same way he approached art and sculpture. He began cutting and carving shapes into the hair, looking for a way to create a style that was versatile yet also brought out the individuality within people.
With Sahag’s dry cut technique, he was able to eliminate the excess bulk and weight of the hair and add movement and thickness where it was naturally needed. Each cut “worked like magic” – it allowed the stylist to visualize the hair and watch that vision develop, section by section, as the hair fell naturally in place with the cut. After the finished cut, the client was able to wear the hair any way they desired, whether it be wavy, curly or straight.
For Sahag, haircutting was an art that required an understanding of every contour and angle to create a precise cut that fit each client individually. In 1985, Sahag opened the Sahag Workshop to share his unique craft by training fellow craftsmen in his art. Due to his innovative vision for cutting hair, Sahag earned himself a reputation in the fashion industry, with his work appearing in fashion magazines, television and the runway. His passion for hair continued on, and he created his own hair care product line in 1999. Each product was precision-designed and formulated for perfection to unveil the “magic” within the hair.
Sahag passed away in 2005, but his artistry continues on in the hands of the stylists who – under his ardent training – mastered the craft and executes his vision to perfection every day. I believe he is one of a kind, and like me, we both shared the vision of wanting to do hair differently from the traditional methods. I will always be grateful for all that he has taught me, and for helping to shape my career .
Photo Credit: http://johnsahag.com/