Rachel is a friend of Amayzine and often makes sure we show up at parties with beautifully styled hair. Because you know; Rachel is from The Building. Last week she was flown in to The States as a hairstylist for the models of the Givenchy show and it was an incredibly fun job, she can tell you. Coincidentally, we were also in New York, so I met her at The Butcher’s Daughter for brunch. Something different than a meeting at the editorial office.

Hey Rachel, shall we order a green juice and smashed avocado with scrambled eggs?

‘Yum, delicious, yes just do exactly what you’re having, then I know for sure I’m doing it right. Come here first, I’ll fix your hair a bit, this is quite a prim bun, it can be a bit more casual.’

Ah, if I didn’t have you… Tell me, how was the atmosphere at the Givenchy show?

‘Fantastic, really rock & roll to the max. That was mainly because the show was the last one for Luigi Murenu, the head of hair and the hairstylist team. We all made a beautiful book with photos and messages and he received a bouquet of white roses. Lara Stone, Doutzen, Steven Tyler, Liv Tyler and Kanye West were all wandering backstage, so the champagne flowed quite freely soon.’

How do you determine a hairstyle for a model?

‘A day before the show, the most important people from the hairstylist team come together to decide what the look will be. A few models are also invited to try out the looks. This time it took quite a while because Riccardo, the creative director, kept changing his mind. Sometimes it was sleek, then a bun or maybe a ponytail. A photo is taken of the final look for the next day.’

And then all the stylists have to do it at once?

‘Everyone gets that photo and before the models come in, assistant Oliver explains the look. Then we have to get to work ourselves.’

“Do you do one model a day?

‘No way, are you crazy. In total, there were 90 models and we had four hours to do their hair. I had so many girls in the chair!’

And tell me, who?

‘Candice Swanepoel for example, she’s really a sweetheart. I interviewed her about Burning Man, because she had been there and our own Imaan was also in the chair.’

And then a big fat afterparty?

‘Yes, it definitely was. It was really so chic! I have to honestly say I was exhausted and after a few glasses of wine I longed for my bed. But every celebrity you can think of was there.’

You’ve tacked on a few more days in New York, are you going to do something fun?

‘I took a little walk in Central Park. I also have an appointment with my friend Ilham, you know her too, and I’m going to eat at The Corner, which makes the absolute best tacos in the city. There are different spaces, but if you reserve in the basement there’s a good chance that Lenny Kravitz she’ll be there. Her favorite spot. It’s definitely a celebrity paradise there.’

And what music are you listening to as you fly back to Amsterdam?

‘Reggae, that always makes me happy.’

text