Saks at Graduate Fashion Week 2025
We’re HUGE fans of Graduate Fashion Week. And this time, Saks Artist Clare Murphy was invited by L’Oréal Professionnel to lead the Portfolio team creating hair for all of the shows, over a four-day fash-fest at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.
SAKS PRO TEAM
As a long-time Saks Artist, Clare helps to set the standards for hairdressing in our Saks salons. And loves seeing our stylists flourish as session stylists, working closely for this marathon gig with three new blood Saks Artists:
Alice Haley, Saks Guisborough
Chloe Jackson, Saks Doncaster
Shannon Currah, Saks Hexham
and our ‘loving the bright lights already’ graduate stylist Izzy Thompson at Saks Sedbury Hall
Clare says: “It was a busy and creative four days. Four shows a day with 20-25 models each time. The universities gave us loads of moodboards to work from each show and we nailed the brief every time. They were really happy with the results. Working with stylists from L’Oréal’s Portfolio team was great too.
“I love that we can get stylists enthused about fashion gigs. It makes them realise that they can do this work. I’d say everyone had ownership of their own work, learned something and had a very positive experience. I feel like we created a safe space for everyone to perform at their best – this is important to me.”
We checked in with our Saks Pros for their key takeaway from GFW 2025…
Chloe says: “Amazing to be around creatives in a fast paced environment. It’s been great to do fashion looks that I don’t do in the salon, and seeing how it all works with the models’ outfits was unreal!”
Shannon: “Buzzing about backstage is fun and it’s even better when we have Saks faces there. This time we had Alice, Izzy and Chloe. We all have different strengths and helped each other. I’ve assisted Clare and Saks’ creative director Luke Pluckrose at different shoots and shows – such as Fashion In Motion at the V&A earlier this year. Every gig is different. Love it!”
HAIR REPORTAGE
Chloe: “I loved the wet sleek hair – super effective with the designers’ pieces! I learned how to work with lots of different styling products with Clare’s tips and tricks!”
Shannon: “A highlight was learning from Abigail Butler, the textured hair guru. The looks she created were incredible.”
Izzy: “The high top fade was cool. Seeing the hair transform into an urban 80s vibe. Also the classic styles seemed effortless but are often very complex to achieve!”
Alice: “I loved perfecting ponies and twisted updos. And I’ve never slicked back so much hair. The weekend was a blur. We had so much fun – one of the best times in my 18 years in the hairdressing world!”
TEAM KUDOS FOR CLARE
Shannon: “I always learn from Clare, she works on set for top TV shows and films and brings that experience to us.”
Alice: “Clare is talented and inspiring. And calm and nurturing. She’s helped me immensely in my journey as a hair educator for Saks, so to work backstage with her is a dream.”
Chloe: “As always, Clare made me feel comfortable and gave lots of advice. The whole team was supportive and talented. We got along together so well.”
Izzy: “YES Clare always makes sure you’re ok. She’s one of my personal faves in the industry… and she’s Saks!”
THAT THING, THAT THING
Chloe: “I appreciate these opportunities and it’s down to my salon owners Bex and Paul for believing in me and putting me forward! I’d love to do more session styling and improve my craft. It allows me to be more creative and use different techniques to those I’ve honed in salon.”
Izzy: “Same re my salon owner, Anna for seeing this in me – unbelievable that I get these opportunities so early in my career!”
L’Oréal Portfolio team and Saks Faces
THE UK HAIR INDUSTRY ROCKS!
Claire concludes: “I would say to hairdressers, do something like this to remind you why you love your craft and came into hairdressing in the first place. Great to represent Saks and L’Oréal Professionnel, and to work with all their products in a backstage setting!”
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT SAKS
Our stylists tell us they get so much from these opportunities. Being mentored by Saks Artists. Contributing for Saks. Catching up with stylists from other Saks salons who they’ve trained with and celebrated with at our Saks Awards. Collaborating with stylists from other places around the UK too. As well as all the session styling knowledge!
At Saks we’re all in it together. We live to rock gorgeous hair for our customers in our salons. And we’re here for you if you’re also wanting to push the boundaries in the world of session styling. If you’re looking for a hairdressing job – from starters to seasoned returners – check out jobs at Saks and find out how being a Saks Pro can work for you.
AND HUGE THANKS
And *as always* huge thanks to L’Oréal Professionnel for serving up these opportunities to Saks!