Stephen Moody – Wella Global Education Academy Dean

Stephen Moody

P&G Salon Professional global education academy dean, Stephen Moody, represents Wella’s outreach program, ‘Hairdressers at Heart’. This industry expert uses his role to help hairdressers to better their skill and craft, and provides support and resources to the (approximate) 800 hairstylists and educators who are a part of the Wella Global education team.

Stephen joined Vidal Sassoon as a vardera, in 1980, and has spent a large part of his career traveling the world as a representative, travelling as far as Sweden, Italy, South Africa and Malaysia. He was promoted to Principal for the North American Academy in 1987 and, in 2003, became International Executive Director of Vidal Sassoon Education globally.

We were fortunate to grab a quick word with Stephen. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: Who influenced you the most when learning your craft?

A: In no order and for different reasons (I am still learning my craft!}: Viviane McKinder, Annie Humphries, Vidal Sassoon, My Mother, Roger Thompson, Christopher Brooker, Tim Hartley, Simon Ellis and Fabio Sementilli.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

A: I draw my inspiration from the youth and style I see on the streets.

Q: Where did you attend school?

A: I attended school at Vidal Sassoon in London.

Q: What was the turning point of your career?

A: I would have to say that the turning point of my career was when Simon Ellis asked me to interview for a job at Vidal Sassoon.

Q: What was the best advice you have received?

A: The best advice I have received is: Hairdressing is Football not Golf.

Q: What was the biggest career challenge you had to overcome?

A: Moving to America was, by far, the biggest challenge for me.

Q: What are some of your biggest accomplishments?

A: I would have to say that my move to America was also one of my biggest accomplishments.

Inspiration, Interview, Mentor