Who What Wear Podcast: Jen Atkin
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This month, Who What Wear is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. To commemorate 20 years of spotlighting tastemakers and magnificence leaders, we’re dedicating October to company who’ve formed the style business and cultural dialog since Who What Wear’s inception. This week, it is Jen Atkin!
Celebrity hairstylist and founder Jen Atkin has at all times beloved popular culture and glam.
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“I grew up ’80s, MTV. Obsessed with Paula Abdul, Madonna, Janet Jackson,” Atkin stated. “I simply beloved glam.”
After shifting to Los Angeles along with her finest good friend, Atkin started knocking on salon doorways searching for a job.
“I began actually going door to door to salons and asking if I might be a receptionist,” Atkin stated. “I received a very nice job at a salon that was the buzzy place to be.”
The relaxation is historical past. Since touchdown her first gig, Atkin has labored with everybody from the Kardashians to Hailey Bieber.
For the newest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Atkin sat down with Hillary Kerr to share how she received her begin within the business, how she based Ouai and Mane Addicts, and extra.
To learn excerpts from the dialog, scroll beneath.
Talk to me about the way you first fell in love with hair and make-up?
I grew up ’80s, MTV. Obsessed with Paula Abdul, Madonna, Janet Jackson. I simply beloved glam.
I beloved makeover scenes in films, and I actually did not know that it might be a job.
The approach I received into it’s I left my little hometown of St. George, Utah, with my finest good friend, Lindsay.
We got here to L.A., $300 in my pocket. I write about it in my book. Had no concept what was about to occur to our lives.
I began actually going door to door to salons and asking if I might be a receptionist. I received a very nice job at a salon that was the buzzy place to be.
I met Jess Alba there again in 2003, I wish to say. From there, I simply assisted for a very very long time. I actually labored very arduous, honed in on my craft. I discovered from as many individuals as I might.
Once I outgrew the salon—it was 15 years within the salon—as soon as I outgrew that, I began doing hair backstage for trend reveals, and the remaining is historical past.
So Mane Addicts began first after which Ouai.
Yeah so Mane Addicts was out of my kitchen. Mike [Rosenthal] and I, once we had our first place collectively. A apartment. Mane Addicts was in 2014.
Then 2016 is when Ouai launched. The approach that I described everybody now, as a result of I do get requested that query typically on social, like, what is the distinction between Ouai and Mane?
I’m like, okay, you understand Prada? Mane is Miu Miu.
We began out with instruments. I needed to innovate after working with Dyson for six years. I needed to innovate in thermal warmth styling, and I wasn’t available on the market.
Mane
It’s Giving Body Medium Hot Round Brush 1.5″ (38mm)
Mane
Fresh Fluff Dry Shampoo Foam
How did you construct Ouai whereas nonetheless having such a busy, wild profession?
I received to return to 2014, after I was jotting down the thought of what I needed it to be and going round and asking anyone I knew that knew anyone with cash in the event that they needed to speculate.
I keep in mind, on the time, I used to be very busy. I used to be actually, actually busy. I wasn’t within the salon, however I used to be working with celebrities.
I additionally knew this model wanted to occur and this was earlier than—and it is desk stakes now {that a} model is digitally related—however this was earlier than there was any of that.
I needed it to actually be the primary digitally related haircare model.
Ouai
Detox Clarifying Hair Shampoo
OUAI
Leave in Conditioner North Bondi
I keep in mind studying in The New York Times that you simply had been named essentially the most influential hairstylist within the international stage in 2015. Do you keep in mind that article? Do you’ve it saved someplace?
You know what? We misplaced it within the hearth. My superb husband reached out to The New York Times, and he received a replica despatched to us.
Oh, that is superb! What did it really feel wish to have that degree of acclaim? Did you are feeling snug? Could you acknowledge it?
Hillary, you understand me nicely. I’m not like excessive highs. I’m not low lows, and I additionally do not get off on validation in any respect. It’s one in every of my superpowers to be trustworthy. I do not get overly harassed.
You’re an even-keeled particular person.
I’m. I do not know if it is, perhaps I’m a disassociater. Who is aware of?
I really feel honored by it. I do. And I really feel there are moments the place I’m like, Oh my god, I am unable to consider that occurred. But I do not get off on it, if that is sensible. I simply do not get off on validation. I by no means needed to win awards. I do not actually ever take part in any of that stuff, as a result of I do not suppose I’m the very best.
I feel I’m actually good at corporate affairs, at working corporate affairs. I feel I’m good at plenty of issues. I’m good at staying calm when issues are tense. I’m good at caretaking, and I’m good at being skilled and exhibiting up, however I’m not the very best hairdresser. You know, there are plenty of superb hairdressers, so I felt honored.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
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