Wishaw hairdresser joins fashion royalty at Chanel show

Dec 12 2012 by Maria Smith, Wishaw Press

Wishaw hair stylist Gary Lees

A Wishaw hairdresser rubbed shoulders with fashion royalty last week when he was hired as Chanel’s hair stylist for their glitzy show in Linlithgow Palace.

Gary Lees, of Lees and Thompson hair salon in Motherwell’s Windmillhill Street, was in charge of styling top Scottish actresses and models, including Amber Anderson and Sophie Kennedy Clarke, at Karl Lagerfeld’s Metier d’Arts show in the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

Gary described the show, in which creative director Karl Lagerfeld paid homage to Scottish textiles, as a “once in a lifetime experience.”

The proud Wishaw man was one of only 400 people to attend the event run by the luxury fashion house which took place in the ruins of the 15th century building.

He told the Wishaw Press: “The whole experience will be one that stands out and I will never forget it or see the likes again. Karl Lagerfeld has the knack of creating magic.

“The event is certainly one of the biggest in the fashion calendar and is hard to beat on the sheer size and grandeur of the show.”

The all-Scottish show featured new twists on classic tweeds and tartans, while guests were given tartan blankets to wrap up in. Chanel, which has a penchant for Scottish fabrics, recently took over the Barrie Knitwear Cashmere Mill in Hawick.

Stylist Gary has been hairdressing for 15 years, while his Motherwell salon has been open for 10 years.

The rising star and his team were responsible for hair styling at this year’s Edinburgh International Fashion Festival, and have been continually successful at the annual L’oreal Colour Trophy awards.

Gary said: “The salon is always evolving and full of young raw talent, each of whom I am very proud of.

“They hold the fort when I am off on my travels, which are getting more frequent.”

The in-demand stylist has become a bit of a globe-trotter, and now works at fashion shoots and shows all around the world.

And he believes Scots are taking over the fashion world, citing Newarthill designer Christopher Kane and Glasgow-born Jonathan Saunders as some of his major influences.

He said: “Now that it’s over it’s time to move on and get ready for Fashion Week in February.”