Introducing our #GSGICON Winning Collection, Roots by Darrel Starkey-Gettings
At the beginning of this year, we ran a very unique competition, #GSGICON, where one lucky salon could win a photo shoot with photographer, Gary Halliday.
#GSGICON was a chance for those who have dreamt of creating a collection to have that dream brought to life. And so, on the 12th February we announced our lucky winner as Darrel Starkey-Gettings of Taylor's Hair Studio with his fantastic entry, Roots. We're handing over now to Darrel to introduce his collection...
The ‘Roots’ Collection
For me 2019 was a hard year, reaching multiple finals in incredible high profile competitions such as Affinage Colour Rebels, Denman Stage Star and Good Salon Guide's Nations Favourite Hairdresser to name a few. It knocked my confidence and made me rethink everything I was doing. A good friend of mine, Daniel Granger said to me that everything he does comes from his heart, he takes his emotions and turns them into art, from his hair collections to his training academy - we are perfectionists. So when I noticed the #GSGICON competition, I was sat in my garden and started to look at my surroundings, the bushes, trees and plants. How they grow from a strong foundation; a foundation of ROOTS.
The word root means a starting point, a solid foundation and a requirement for growth. This is how my collection began.
When creating my ideas, I wanted to look at solid foundations for all of them; foundations in which we built the looks from. My four images that I entered the competition with were all diverse, but for me they showed my journey and the growth I had by finding my foundation to start building again.
"A knock back can hurt! A door closing feels like the end! Coming second feels worse than coming last!"
On Wednesday 12th February 2020 at 10.02am, I received an email from Good Salon Guide. An email that led to so many emotions, from excitement and worry, to happiness and panic.
"Darrel!! You are our #GSGICON winner!"
Was my collection strong enough, was my skillset ready to produce my own collection, was this really about to happen?
I am lucky enough to have some incredible people backing me in this industry and offering me amazing advice: Tracey Devine-Smith, Daniel Granger, Robert Eaton and Sally Brooks all gave me amazing advice, hints and tips on what to look for when on set.
The Date was set! Models, stylist and makeup artist were all booked! Assistants were chosen!
The Big Day
On Monday 16th March 2020 my anxiety was at an all-time high, not knowing how my concept would translate onto camera. At 10am we began prepping the models for the first two looks and I instantly knew that my concept wasn’t strong enough for the venue we had, Delapré Abbey in Northamptonshire. I needed to scrap everything I planned and start a fresh, but still maintain the reason for the collection. "Don’t just put hair onto a model, use your model to inspire the hair you create" - this was something Sally Brooks said to me when I had a 1-2-1 training day at her salon in London. I took a step back, had a moment to breathe and look at my models and then we created. I don’t know how or what happened, but I just had this moment of freedom, letting my hands move and decide on placement and design. I just want to say my two amazing friends, Nicola Hamm and Scott Musgrove were incredible. They listened to me, and even though it was all new on the day, just worked and created whatever came out of my mouth.
My first two images were shot, and then we were back creating again. Hands were moving, wefts, hairspray, grips, and then suddenly we had the next two images, and they were so strong I could hardly contain my excitement. The last two looks were created quickly because of timing, Scott was on set with one model while myself and Nicola was creating the final look. He came to the prep room and said, "Darrel this look just isn’t looking right on camera", and for once I didn’t panic. I grabbed a hair piece, headed to the set and pinned the piece onto the model's hair. This was a moment I will never forget, I took a step back, the camera went off and we all just stopped and went 'WOW'.
"The moment you look at an image you have created and begin to well up."
For me, never creating a professional collection before, I became emotional. Sitting writing this now I still well up, because I had done what I wanted my collection to become. The atmosphere was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, everyone who worked on producing this collection completely understood my concept and whole heartedly helped to bring it too life.
As I type this, I’ll try not to cry!
One year ago, I was told that I’ll never be anything other than a colourist. I just wasn’t strong enough to do anything else. That I failed every time because my skillset was weak and to stop trying to become someone I will never be. Looking at the collection in full shows that you should never let anyone beat you down. Never let someone tell you that you can’t achieve a goal you have for yourself.
A journey is about growth - step back, breathe and take time. Without time ‘Roots’ will not blossom, and flowers and trees will not grow.
My collection is for ‘YOU’ - the ones who get told NO, NEVER, STOP.
"A knock back is a step forward! A door closing means your closer to the next one opening! Coming second is a silver medal!"
Roots Collection Credits:
Hair: #GSGICON Winner, Darrel Starkey-Gettings @ Taylor's Hair Studio
Photography: Gary Halliday
Hair Assistants: Nicola Hamm & Scott Musgrove
Makeup Artist: Priscilla Messinger
Models: Priscilla Messinger & Aneta Kocisova
Stylist: Bernard Connolly