Those in search of high-fashion hairdos close to home need look no further than Jessica SanFillipo. The 22-year-old Pittsford resident returned this month from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, where she styled runway models’ hair alongside some of the best in the business from all over the world.
SanFillipo, a stylist at Salon Brio on State Street, was chosen to work the event because of the salon’s relationship with the hair product line, Privé.
It was her first major Fashion Week event, and she said she already hopes to work at another in Los Angeles in October.
“Once you finish with a show and stand back and look at all the models, the way it all comes together, the end result, that's the biggest sense of accomplishment and the best part of it,” SanFillipo said.
How did you get involved in the fashion world?
My dad is actually a hairdresser, so I’ve been around it since I was born. I've been licensed now for five years, but I've been cutting and styling hair since I was 9. I used to take my dad's scissors and cut my friends' hair at home. It always ended well but it always got me into trouble.
What’s the most interesting thing that happened to you at Fashion Week?
The first show that I worked with Privé was a new designer called By Misha, a younger designer just starting out. They brought us in with that, and obviously I was a little nervous and a little anxious.
That first show, they demonstrated what the look was, a top knot on the top of the head, and then they were just like "OK go ahead and do it." I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting to assist and help their main team, but they trusted us. It was awesome. I was able to show what I could do.
At the end of the day it was reassuring that what we do here and what I'm capable of, they do too.
What does that experience mean to you now?
Endless possibilities. Taking my career a step further. The next step is New York, hopefully, at some point.
It was great to work alongside the international art team because they all work with celebrities every day. They've taken their careers to the peak and they keep going, so it's cool to work with them and see how they work. It's reassuring when you're doing the same thing they're doing when I'm here in Rochester and they're off in New York or LA or Miami.
Those in search of high-fashion hairdos close to home need look no further than Jessica SanFillipo. The 22-year-old Pittsford resident returned this month from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, where she styled runway models’ hair alongside some of the best in the business from all over the world.
SanFillipo, a stylist at Salon Brio on State Street, was chosen to work the event because of the salon’s relationship with the hair product line, Privé.
It was her first major Fashion Week event, and she said she already hopes to work at another in Los Angeles in October.
“Once you finish with a show and stand back and look at all the models, the way it all comes together, the end result, that's the biggest sense of accomplishment and the best part of it,” SanFillipo said.
How did you get involved in the fashion world?
My dad is actually a hairdresser, so I’ve been around it since I was born. I've been licensed now for five years, but I've been cutting and styling hair since I was 9. I used to take my dad's scissors and cut my friends' hair at home. It always ended well but it always got me into trouble.
What’s the most interesting thing that happened to you at Fashion Week?
The first show that I worked with Privé was a new designer called By Misha, a younger designer just starting out. They brought us in with that, and obviously I was a little nervous and a little anxious.
That first show, they demonstrated what the look was, a top knot on the top of the head, and then they were just like "OK go ahead and do it." I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting to assist and help their main team, but they trusted us. It was awesome. I was able to show what I could do.
At the end of the day it was reassuring that what we do here and what I'm capable of, they do too.
What does that experience mean to you now?
Endless possibilities. Taking my career a step further. The next step is New York, hopefully, at some point.
It was great to work alongside the international art team because they all work with celebrities every day. They've taken their careers to the peak and they keep going, so it's cool to work with them and see how they work. It's reassuring when you're doing the same thing they're doing when I'm here in Rochester and they're off in New York or LA or Miami.
What keeps you interested?
I like the fact that I can be creative with anything I do. I've always loved styling. Every year things change, and they always resonate back to past styles. It's nice to be able to take hair and put your own spin on it. You can always continue to learn, which is awesome. Just when you think you know it all, you don't.
What did you learn in New York that you’ve brought back to the salon?
It's the presentation, the way that you hold yourself in front of a client, and the way that you manage the hair. It was really cool just to see the owner of the company come in at the very end and tweak things slightly. He just saw it. After he would do something you would be like "Oh, why didn't I see that." It's about taking things one step further to perfect.
