David Mallett, Paris

David Mallett @ David Mallett, Paris

At the age of 4, in suburban Australia, David Mallett had already decided to become a hairstylist. He has, in his own words, always been "quietly obsessed with hair". It is an obsession which has been recognized by some of the world's most celebrated and influential people.

When he arrived in Paris at the age of 27, he had 11 years of experience, and a determination to succeed. Within a short time, his talent was being championed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, and Emmanuelle Alt, fashion editor of French Vogue.

Now, David's work, and that of his team, is in demand for the public and private lives of some of the world's most famous people; with clients who include Kate Winslet, Andie MacDowell, Anna Mouglalis, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Rampling, Clémence Poésy, Demi Moore, Diane Kruger, Eva Green, Isabelle Adjani, Julianne Moore, Karen Mulder, Kristin Scott Thomas, Liv Tyler, Ludivine Seignier, Marion Cotillard, Naomi Campbell, Penélope Cruz, Sharon Stone, and Vahina Giocante.

Over the course of his career, he has been on call to some of the world's most famous photographers, supermodels, stylists, and designers.

His creative vision and technical innovation have contributed to some of the most iconic images in fashion advertising in the past two decades. Recently, Karl Lagerfeld chose David to style Christy Turlington Chanel; and he has also worked on flagship campaigns for Lancel, Dior, L'Oréal, Sonia Rykiel, Givenchy, Pirelli, La Perla.

He has built a trusted relationship with the world's most influential photographers; including Bettina Rheims, David LaChapelle, Ellen Von Unwerth, Paolo Roversi, Peter Lindberg, Patrick de Demarchelier, and Peter Beard, And, as a tribute to the relationships that he has built with them on set, many of the photographers have also become clients.

The demand for David Mallett's skills has grown exponentially. In the past year alone, David styled the 2009 Pirelli Calendar, worked with Sharon Stone on an exclusive photostory for Elle magazine. And helped create the Givenchy Irréstistible Campaign with Mondino and Liv Tyler.

Away from his work on photoshoots, fashion campaigns and movies, David has developed – with his personal clients – a unique philosophy on hairstyling; one which combines absolute glamour with a distinct point of view on practicality.

"I believe that hair should look amazing in the real world, not just for the time when one is in the salon. It's not helpful to create an amazing look which only lasts for a moment, or which only exists in photos. I believe that hair should look good long after the client has left the salon. I obsess about technique so my clients don't have to. My philosophy is about being practical, about showing clients how to have beautiful hair even when I won't be there with them." - says David.

In July 2010, after 3 years of painstaking research, David will be launching a hair serum which has been developed with an intimate understanding of the needs of his clients. Unlike all other serums on the marketplace, the product is not just to correct damage, but to enhance styling. In keeping with the David Mallett philosophy, it is also incredibly easy to use.

"I first realized that I needed to make a serum when clients said they had to go away for the weekend – perhaps on a first romantic weekend with someone new – and they wanted their hair to look amazing, but they didn't want to spend time fussing with it. I'm really excited that the serum is finally available, and that it's available to everyone, not just my salon clients." – says David.

David Mallett's work has been featured in Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Interview, Jalouse, Marie Claire, Madame Figaro, Numéro, Nylon, Purple, Tatler, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and more.