Posted Monday, September 26, 2011 by Laura Heitzman,

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Extraordinary. Visionary. Breathtaking. These are just a few of the adjectives often used to describe the creative genius of Damien Carney. Undeniably one of the most accomplished hairstylists in the last 20 years, Carney has elevated hairstyling into an art form through an impressive body of work. With a keen eye for detail and the ability to showcase a person’s natural assets, Carney has amassed a portfolio reflecting a virtual “Who’s Who” in fashion and beauty. Music and film stars such as Ryan Gosling, Grace Jones, Olivia Munn, Krysten Ritter, Beth Riesgraf, Trudie Styler, super models including Abbey Lee, Magdalena Frackowiak, Liberty Ross, Jodie Kidd and Karen Mulder are just a few of the “A-List” celebrities and top models who turned to Carney to create their image-defining hairstyles.

Demonstrating strong talent early in his career, Carney served as Artistic Director and Principle Trainer for one of London’s top hairstyling academies. Carney was tapped by creative powerhouse, Trevor Sorbie, to join his legendary Covent Garden Salon. Not only did Carney enjoy mentoring with one of the industry’s most prolific artists of all time in Sorbie, he worked in the salon with industry icons Eugene Souleiman, Vivienne Mackinder, Ruth Roche and Antoinette Beenders, as all were developing their own skills. It was there, in the fertile ground of unbridled creativity, that he achieved the position of “Principle of Education” and in turn received the training of a lifetime.

In a career woven with honors and accolades, Carney’s high notes include being voted one of Modern Salon Magazine’s “50 Influential Hairdressers – Trendsetters” in 2008. In 2009, Carney was a finalist in the prestigious AIPP Coiffure Hairdressing Awards in Paris, honoring artistic achievement in internationally acclaimed hairdressing. He was a finalist in the 2007 NAHA Award Category of “Contemporary Classic” and received considerable world press as winner of the British Hairdressing Award, “Men’s Hairdresser of the Year.” Carney has also been honored to judge in the prestigious NAHA Awards.

Since 1999, Carney has wielded his scissors and unique artistic vision for Shiseido Laboratories as the “International Artistic Director” for the beauty giant’s prestigious Joico hair care brand. In 2006, Carney channeled his passion for education into establishing Damien Carney London, a modern, mobile hairstyling academy with satellite offices in London, New York and LosAngeles. His work has graced the pages of international publications ELLE, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, W, Cosmopolitan and GQ, and as a natural in front of the tv camera, he has appeared on ABC, NBC, QVC as a Certified Presenter, as lead stylist on America’s Next Top Model and is Bravo Network celebrity, Tabatha Coffey’s stylist of choice. Through his vision, Carney inspires artists around the world to take hair design to the highest level of creativity and excellence.

We asked this super celebrity stylist icon to take a minute with our HS Magazine fast questions…

HS Magazine Hot Seat

HSMagazine: Describe your career achievements in three words.

DAMIEN: Artistic Fearless Thankful

HSMagazine: What is your biggest beauty faux pas?

DAMIEN: The biggest beauty faux pas is to see a person try hard to be something they’re not. People often see styles in magazines or on television and decide they want the look. If they have to fight the texture, constantly and drastically alter the color, or if the cut just doesn’t suit their face and styling demands conflict with their lifestyle, then it’s a constant battle just to get ready each day. That’s no fun!

HSMagazine: What is your nickname within the industry?

DAMIEN: I’m humbled to say I often hear and read the term … “Creative Genius.” I simply do what I love.

But, I am also known as a perfectionist and expect the best effort from myself and those working with me.

HSMagazine: What has been your biggest life lesson?

DAMIEN: Achieving your dreams and your goals come through hard work, and more hard work.

HSMagazine: What is your ultimate motivation song on your iPod?

DAMIEN: There are just too many great songs to list one. It depends on my mood, where I am, what I’m doing and who I’m with, or simply being alone.

HSMagazine: Who is your biggest mentor and why?

DAMIEN: My mother! She encouraged my creativity, allowed me the freedom to be who I was and explore my interests and talents. She shared an enormous amount of love that taught me a lot about people.

HSMagazine: If you weren’t in beauty, what job would you do?

DAMIEN: Nothing else! I was born to do hair!

HSMagazine: If you were gifted with $1 million dollars, what would you do with it?

DAMIEN: Hair! Hair! More Hair! I would do artistic shoots and try new forms of creative expression. Perhaps we need a museum of “Hair as Art.”

HeavenSalon Ask An Expert

Georgie asks: How do you know what to create when designing an iconic hairstyle for a celebrity?

You must consider their lifestyle, personality and how they wish to be perceived, along with their physical features: hair texture, facial structure and desired length. You must talk to them about the process. You want them to be happy and comfortable in wearing their own signature look.

What is the most popular style for women right now?

The popular style today is really a spin on the classic shoulder length with longer layering, some disconnected pieces framing the face. May be slightly shorter or longer, but a length that allows for a variety of styling options. It can be worn straight and smooth, curled and with attitude, swept up for a finished look, disheveled and sexy when the mood beckons. Women today want variety and flexibility.

Judith asks: Is there a difference to doing hair on TV to that of in a salon?

Is some ways yes, in some ways not. With any look you create, you want it to complement and suit the person. But, when styling and designing for TV, you must consider what is asked of you, as a stylist. You often must create the look that suits the character, actor or actress, or if they’re a news anchor. It may require a look for that “on-camera”moment, as opposed to styling in a salon, where you are creating looks that a person wears on a daily basis.

Do you feel added pressure for the look on TV?

Not really. I am confident in my skills. However, it is critical to get complete and thorough instructions on the look or feeling the producer – director wants to reflect in the hair style of the person being filmed. You then use your creativity to fit the need.

Brant asks: You have trained along side some amazing hairstylists who are also brand ambassadors now. How have their’s and your style changed since you started?

I find that most of the truly creative, talented stylists in our industry find ways to instill their own sense of style and vision in their work. Even when you are producing commercially striking hair to evoke a brand image or feeling, you can include some of your own nuances in design. We don’t give up our creative spirit to create brand image. We use that spirit to make a brand desirable.