CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WEEK IN YOUR LIFE?
As a hairstylist in the fashion and beauty industry there is no “typical”. My time is divided into super busy stretches and relaxation time. The crazy, busy stretches are all airports and taxis. Hairstyling my way through different time zones, in studios, on a busy street, in beautiful parks, half way up a canyon, or surrounded by animals who would be more at home on an from African Savannah but are part of the shoot! Different models, teams, clients, stories and always different hairstyles.

My busy days are consistent in one way alone. I prepare my kit(s), everything organized including packing extra’s for at least three dramatically different looks that have not been requested – from experience I know that on the day these may well be called for. I rarely go out if my schedule is back to back. After everything is prepared and in an effort to combat jet-lag or at least soften its blows especially if I am in a time-zone where my night is now day I watch nature documentaries or old black and white French comedies to unwind and relax. When I am not working I go to Yoga classes, it’s a welcome respite from being up in the air, flying from job to job. I have been practicing Yoga for years. I like cooking so I take the time to prepare my favorite meals, catch up with friends and take longs walks.

NJ: In 1994 I was selected to present six original hairstyles at the Louvre, which was going to be on display for two months. I was in my twenties at that time and it was a dream come true! I was so nervous and excited at the same time because it was bigger than anything I’d ever done before you know, like for magazines. The audience was going to be bigger and not just restricted to fashion aficionados. I started to panic. So I went to the Louvre and found myself wandering from gallery to gallery, waiting for inspiration to hit me. But somehow I couldn’t relax, the place was crowded and I still got nothing! I told myself to forget everything I’d learnt so far and start from scratch and create something memorable. And eureka! The word ‘organic’ dawned upon me. I decided to come up with a hairstyle made entirely out of paper. Which turned out to be quite challenging – the technique used would have to ensure that the hairstyle would come to life and not fall apart.

Easily one of the most influential in the beauty & hair industry Nicolas Jurnjack's career is one for the ages. Born in the South of France Nicolas initially got his start while in his teens as an apprentice before snagging a life changing opportunity in Elle France. Nicolas attention to detail and meticulous ways eventually landed hm gigs with some of the most iconic names and brands in fashion including Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford,  Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Jeremy Scott and Kenzo, to name a few. With hundreds of international covers under his belt, a showing of his work at the Louvre to the most recent release of his new book In the HAIR you can't help but wonder what is next in the more than thirty year career Nicolas has built himself.

Writer: Mamen Infante

Qué hace: Es el mago de los cepillos, nadie peina como él. Hace del cabello una auténtica escultura.

Cómo ha llegado hasta ahí: A los 16 años dejó el colegio sin ninguna vocación a la vista, empezó como aprendiz en una peluquería sintiendo cero atracción por esa profesión que le cambiaría la vida. Ocurrió estando un día en el salón que había cerca de la playa, en Marsella (Francia), cuando un equipo de una revista de moda entró en la peluquería pidiendo ayuda para una sesión de fotos en la que había faltado el peluquero. Se ofreció voluntario (con 16 años) y algo hizo clic en su cabeza: esto podía funcionar. Se mudó a París sin contactos ni planes. Se ofreció en mil agencias como ayudante y consiguió que una le representara. Hizo pequeños trabajos hasta que un día el destino quiso que Vogue, por cambio de calendario, se quedara sin sus peluqueros habituales. Alguien le llamó y el trabajo que hizoterminó siendo portada. Durante diez años estuvo practicando en su casa sin sentirse suficientemente preparado, pese a que no dejaba de trabajar en producciones y en desfiles. Su primer backstage fue en 1997, con Alexander McQueen. De ahí en adelante se sucedieron Givenchy, Galliano, Gaultier, Albaz, Ricci, Kenzo, Jeremy Scott y más. 30 años de profesión avalan su calidad, que se puede apreciar en las mejores revistas del mundo.

Sus signos de identidad: Siempre busca sorprender y lo consigue. Usa diferentes materiales que mezcla en el pelo para conseguir efectos y volúmenes increíbles. Madera, pintura en spray, ramas, follaje, metal, papel, lana, no hay límites a su creatividad, de auténtico artesano.

Un hito: Su trabajo ha sido muchas veces premiado y expuesto hasta en el Museo Louvre de París.

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What Nicolas Jurnjack does: He is the wizard of the brushes, nobody styles like him. He is an artist with hair.

How he got there: At age 16 he left school with no vocation in sight and began working as an apprentice hairdresser, at first it held zero attraction for him, but it became a profession that would change his life.  It happened one day in a salon near the beach in Marseilles, France,  a fashion magazine team entered the hair salon asking for help on a photo shoot, the booked hairstylist had failed to show up. He volunteered (aged 16) and something clicked in his head: this could work. He moved to Paris without contacts or plans. He visited a thousand agencies and got one to represent him. He did little work until one day fate brought him Vogue, due to a shooting schedule change and none of the usual hairdressers were available.  Someone called him and the work he did ended up being recognized. For ten years he was practicing at home without feeling sufficiently prepared, although he did not stop working in productions and at runway shows.  His first big show was in 1997, with Alexander McQueen. Thereafter Givenchy, Galliano, Gaultier, Albaz, Ricci, Kenzo, Jeremy Scott and more followed. His 30 years in theprofession is an endorsement of the quality and level of his work, which can be seen in the best magazines in the world.

His signature:  There are no limits to his creativity, he is an authentic craftsman.  He seeks to surprise and he achieves it.  He sometimes uses different materials to to achieve incredible effects and volumes such as wood, spray paint, branches, foliage, metal, paper, wool.

Milestones: His work has won many awards and was even exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris.