Saturday, June 9, 2012

Beauty | Joe-yves Asmar | Passion



In His Own Words

“My passion is couture fashion and hair, I love what I do and I will do it until the day I die.”

I grew up in Lebanon in the middle of a war and when I was 5 years old I moved to Sweden where I still work today. I fell in love with the hairdressing after my brother died in the war. My brother was a famous hairdresser and was working with the royal family of Jordan. My brother is the reason why I became a hairdresser. My passion is couture fashion and hair, I really love what I do and I will do it until the day I die.

When I was 14 years old, I got my first job in a salon as a shampoo guy and one year later I went to school to become a professional hairstylist. At very young age, I won my first competition in Sweden and was hooked. My passion grew and after a lot of hard work, I went on to win many national and international awards. My last was Style Master of the Year. I have had the privilege to work for magazines and television and my work be seen all over the world. Nowadays, I really am enjoying the opportunity to share what I have learned with others at some of the biggest hair shows in Sweden in front of thousands of people.  

My dream has come true.      




R&J: What is it that inspires you about couture?

Joe-yves: All the people around the Haute Couture world are a huge inspiration, when the models walk in on the catwalk with the different fabrics, colors, makeup and hair… it just amazes me. It’s such a big inspiration for me.






R&J: Hair plays such an important role in every aspect of fashion, runway shows, editorial and advertising photo shoots and television. Which is the most demanding? Which is the most fun?

Joe-yves: The most demanding is the runway shows… very stressful and you need to work with very high speed on each model. The most fun are the photo shoots, I love it when the model hits that perfect pose and that "picture will live forever."



 R&J: What was the funniest thing to ever happen to you while you were working?

Joe-yves: One day, I was working in the salon and a lady comes in with very long hair and she says, “I give you a free hand.” I took the scissors and in seconds, cut off a huge amount of her hair and she looks at me, almost in tears, ready to strangle me. I put extra time on her cut because I realized that something must be going in her life because a women almost never gives you a free hand to do whatever you want. You need to know that something is wrong here. But in the end, she left with an amazing cut. Two weeks later she come back with flowers and she gave me a huge hug and said you changed my life. 





R&J: Do you ever get nervous doing those huge hair shows? What is like to work on a stage with all those people?

Joe-yves: My first shows I was really nervous but now… no. To work in front of all these people is an amazing feeling and especially when you are not nervous because then you can get this amazing connection with the audience and to share something that I love so much in my life…. hair, it’s extremely special.









R&J: What advice would you give a talented hairdresser who has only worked in a salon but dreams to work in the fashion world?

Joe-yves: Find a good photographer and do a lot of work (a lot) so you can build a strong portfolio and show your work. Assisting good hairstylist is essential. And continued training is very important day in day out.

R&J: That's all the time we have for now. Just wanted to give Joe-yves a big thank you for sharing his thoughts with us and wish him the very best.


For more information about Joe-yves, you can contact him via email HERE


Photography by Rasmus Wallin



Friday, June 1, 2012

Fashion | David Paulus | Art Couture


In the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast, David Paulus was born on the tropical island of Curacao. After finishing high school, he left Curacao for Amsterdam, Holland.  His love of fashion led him to a job with haute couture designer She Guang Hu.

Haute Couture Designer She Guang Hu














David then went to work for ecological clothing brand Van Markoviec.

Van Markoviec


Now at age 26, David has seen his own vision come to life on the runway. Asked if he could give his work a name, he’d call it Art Couture. His collections are inspired by a certain theme at first, then his imagination just takes over.




Now, I’d like to introduce you to fashion designer David Paulus.


R&J:  David, what is it about fashion that inspires you?

David: There is no specific thing that inspires me. it can really be anything… a person, art, music, atmosphere, different cultures, fairytales and so on. I just never know until it hits me.



2011/2012 Retro La Future | MUAH: Hannah Bakels | Photos: Martin Sweers



R&J:  What was the biggest challenge for you to reach the level of success you have now? 

David: My biggest challenge so far was to teach myself how to create a line, pushing my limits while maintaining a signature look for a collection.


2011/2012 Retro La Future | MUAH: Olga Petrenko | Photos: Elena Platonova 

&J:  Who are your heroes/favorite designers?
David: Musically it has to be… Roisin Murphy.  Her style is fabulous and so is she. As far as other designers… Walter van Beirendonck and Viktor & Rolf.



TOP LEFT: Roisin Murphy TOP RIGHT: Walter van Beirendonck BOTTOM: Victor & Rolf


R&J:  You also have a passion for dance and teach Zumba. Does dance reflect in your fashion work? How does it compliment your work in fashion?

David: Zumba is my escape that allows my mind to be free… when my mind is free, the inspiration just flows and I get many ideas for my work.


David Paulus


R&J:  What was the funniest thing to ever happen to you while you were working?

David: Hahahaha, i don’t know really know, because when I am busy, I am so focused, I am so deep in thought that I am in my own little world. 

Autumn/Winter collection 2012/2013 | Alice And The Dolls












R&J:  What advice would you give a budding designer who is just starting out in fashion?

David: That they have a thick skin. (laughing)



R&J:  Well, that’s all the time we have today, thank you so much for sharing some of your time with us. We wish you great success in all you do.

David: Thank you very much.