FORTITUDE reflects the ability to create a force to be reckoned with. And Amy Gaude is just such a creative force in hairdressing!
Fortitude is the latest collection by UK born Amy Gaudie. Known as much for her professionalism, positivity and calmness under pressure as she is for her extraordinary artistic skills, these very same attributes have enabled her to gather such an impressive list of awards and accolades for creativity.
Amy arrived in Australia in 2005, full of ambition and drive. And she has never looked back. Indeed, she herself represents Fortitude! As an outstanding cutter, colourist and stylist, Amy enjoyed her previous roles as a WELLA Pro Creative Artist and a WELLA eimi Guest Educator. Now instead, she is a Guest Artist for L’Oreal Professionnel and an Amazing Hair Ambassador.
The Inspiration
FORTITUDE reflects the ability to create a force to be reckoned with. Indeed, this collection shows the strength of resilience and fortitude in a time of struggle. Amy is living proof that a creative mind can come alive when pushed to become more dynamic as an individual.
The models behind FORTITUDE symbolise strength and empowerment. The collection showcases women as individuals through the power of art, allowing the hair to become alive with texture, shape and luminosity.
Amy Gaudie took a sculptural approach to highlight a variety of techniques: from basket weaving to braiding, sewing, crimping and texturising. And the results are as captivating as they are creative.
The make-up inspiration was a continuation of graphic lines and bold features, emphasising the models eyes or
lips, depending on how we were shooting the hair style. Indeed, this minimalist approach to facial features is the perfect complement to the hair shape. Its strength speak for itself.
“Exaggerated shape was the first design concept with our styling,” said Amy, “keeping in mind we wanted to allow the hair to be the focus of the image. I chose only black, nude or textured fabrics, to assist in creating cleanlines, and body stiffness revealing the strength in the female form.“
Fortitude: the finishing touches
The final step of any successful collection is the actual image. This is where the photographer must be on the same page as the hair artist. “My key words to our Photographer were ‘clean, fresh and bright’, even when shooting in black and white,” remembers Amy. This strategy also succeeded in creating glamorous yet sophisticated images. Simplicity and strength. “I still wanted the image to pop off the page,” Amy shares. “They must captivate by pulling in the audience to question how the hair was created.“
Amy’s intricate creative work and attention to detail often feature in both local and international press. She has reinforced her ability to initiate and interpret trends with a unique perspective, taking the reader on a hair journey that stimulates and evokes different ways of thinking. This year alone she was a Finalist in the 2022 Australian Hair Industry Awards in the Creative QLD Hairdresser of the Year category.
Credits
- Hair: Amy Gaudie
- Photo: Georgia Wallace
- Styling: Laura Macleod
- Make-up: Annabelle Hogg