‘Dress for the job you want, not the job you have’, or so the saying goes. In all aspects of life, not only work, it’s good to dress for success. evo international creative colour director Tom Smith incorporates the colours of his brand through his wardrobe and beyond.
By implementing the ‘dress for success’ theory, Tom can make sure he stands out and people recognise his brand from start to finish. “After working with a graphic designer to build on my professional branding, I found myself drawn to specific colours. I’ve used these throughout my social media and on my website, and I’ve also incorporated these colours in the clothes that I wear. Not only is this much easier when shopping or organising my wardrobe, but it creates a total brand that is woven throughout my work and personal life,” he explains.
“In an industry that celebrates wearing black (for its practicality and professionalism) it’s important to know when to blend in and when to stand out. If you want that promotion or a role with a manufacturer, presenting yourself mindfully helps you stand out amongst the crowd. While I often wear black on model prep days, when it comes to presenting on stage, I enjoy the use of colour, particularly shades of green and cream, to help differentiate myself.”
Tom’s top tips to dress for success in 2025
- I recommend everyone works to develop their own brand identity as they work to build their career in hairdressing, So that every touch point where a viewer may find them looks cohesive and thought out.
- Determine your colour palette of choice, you could start with your favourite colours, but it’s often easier to rule out shades that you don’t like wearing or don’t suit you first, and from there, build out a variety of shades that are complimentary and represent the colours in your home and your wardrobe and then be strict with yourself when buying new clothes as to whether they fit in with this palette.
- This detailed approach is not for everyone, but it certainly makes things easier if you narrow down the colours you feel comfortable in, and that you feel represent you the best.