5 Minutes with Dolly

We spent 5 minutes with Mr. Smith brand ambassador Dolly Ward – who we collaborated with for the premiere of our videos series –  to find out what makes her tick, where she finds inspiration and what she sees as the future of hairstyling.

How long have you been a stylist?
I’ve been hairdressing since I was 14, so I’ve been in the industry for 11 years. Only over the past year have I seen myself as an editorial stylist.

What got you in to hairdressing?
I was born a hair dresser, I know that sounds really cliché but my mum used to buy me old dolls heads from Vinnie’s, I used to cut girls hair at school and I would do my mum’s and sister’s hair. It’s just in me. I love the power of making women and men look beautiful. I just love hair. I can’t see myself ever doing anything else.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
One of my favourite websites is WE ARE SO DROEE – it has pretty much every editorial that comes out, and I’m on there every single day. I also look at people like Duffy and Anthony Turner, who are my hair gods. I’m always interested to see what they’re doing.

What designers do you take inspiration from or look to for future trends?
I love Chanel, I’ve always been a bit of a Chanel girl, I just love the sophistication and the elegance. A girl always looks so sexy in Chanel. I also like anything that’s a little bit gothy and anything that makes girls look strong and independent.

Who are your dream collaborators?
Anthony Turner is my number one. Even if I had to stand there and hand him a pin, I would be more than happy with that. I would love to work with Sam McKnight just so see how his mind works and how he comes up with those crazy croissant buns.
I’d love to work with Mario Testino, and Chanel again- I think Chanel brings out the most beautiful sexy side in a woman and I would love to be a part of that.

If you could cut or style one persons hair, living or dead who would it be?
I would love to work with Rhianna, I love that she’s always changing her style and pushing the limits and trying to be a bit different to everyone else. It would be a challenge to work with that kind of hair- it’s not something that I’m necessarily experienced in, so I would love that challenge.

Do you listen to music when you’re working and what’s on your iPod at the moment?
I am a Radiohead girl through and through; I listen to them nearly every single day. They are like a form of meditation for me; I think it keeps me grounded. Its always fun to party to a bit of hip hop, but at the end of the day if I’m trying to research a look or looking for inspo Radiohead is always playing. I also love Pixies, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, alt-J, Sigur Rós.

Have you ever seen them live?
I have, on my 19^th birthday. I was on air when I left; they played an incredible set, the production was just insane, he really connected with the crowd. Not in the sense that he spoke a lot, because I think he’s quite shy, but in a way with the music and the energy he gave off. I went by myself, and I loved every single second of it. I came out inspired and emotional.

Favourite song?
Karma police – for a minute there I lost myself, it really connects with me. Its just something about those lyrics that I connect to, it makes we feel warm.

You’ve recently collaborated with us on our video series; talk us through the look you created.
Mr. Smith inspired me. The aesthetic that Mr. Smith is after is exactly what I’m about- I like lived in, a little bit grungy, a little bit salty hair. I like a girl to have amazing hair but also to look like she’s kind of done it herself.
The look that I created for the video series was a bit of a messy knot – I really wanted to have that texture and show The Foundation and the Texture Spray that I used in the hair.

What do you love about the Mr. Smith products?
There’s nothing I don’t love about the products, I’ve never really liked a range this much. I love the smell – every single person that’s around me when I use Mr. Smith comments on the smell. I love that its Australian, I love the packaging, but most importantly, it delivers. The Foundation is the best product that I’ve ever used and I will have it in my kit forever. I go through almost two tubes a week. I love it, its just beautiful. If I want to get a big sexy beautiful blow dry I can just use The Foundation. If I want something a bit beachy and a bit textured I’ll use The Foundation and the Texture Spray or the Sea Salt Spray. I’ve found that any look that I need to create, I’ve got Mr. Smith to help me create it.