NICKY CLARKE
Nicky was one of six children growing up in a working class family in South London. Though he attended grammar school he did badly in his exams, failing most of them. He dropped out at 15 years old.
First career decision
At first Nicky considered cutting hair a hobby. He practised on friends and family as a boy. After dropping out of school he needed to support himself. He decided to turn his hobby into a profession and interviewed with one of the top hair stylists of the day. He would often work 15-hour days and weekends, falling asleep on the bus on the way home at night. Though he earned very little at first, in just two years he built up an impressive portfolio and was styling hair for 'Vogue' covers by the age of 18.
The turning point
Nicky gained a reputation as a session stylist as well as working with John Frieda and transforming the Duchess of York's hair in the mid-1980s. Nicky and his wife, Lesley, decided to open their own salon and soon revolutionised the hairdressing industry by being the first to charge £100 for a haircut. This created competition in the market- place and economically strengthened the industry. After making numerous television appearances, Nicky Clarke soon became a household name. He now runs a multi-million-pound-a-year business.
Conflict: The major and the minor As a young boy, Nicky realised he didn't have the social skills to be working amongst the rich and famous at a Mayfair salon. The prospect of cutting a model with long hair would make him physically ill. But he overcame this anxiety and shyness by working even harder. Building his skills also helped build his confidence. Another obstacle to overcome was being a heterosexual male working in an industry perceived to be homosexual and camp, a perception which has now changed.
Resolution
After 30 years as a hair stylist, Nicky teaches and trains the next wave of young stylists coming through his salon. He business is expanding every year, introducing an electrical line of goods into the market. Because Nicky personally can charge up to £500 for a single haircut, this has also raised people's expectations of his talent. But he doesn't worry too much for as long as hair grows, he'll never be out of work.
Background information
Some figures from the film- Nicky started out making £20 a week
- He has done over 100,000 haircuts
- He now charges £500 a haircut
Nicky was one of six children growing up in a working class family in South London. Though he attended grammar school he did badly in his exams, failing most of them. He dropped out at 15 years old.
First career decision
At first Nicky considered cutting hair a hobby. He practised on friends and family as a boy. After dropping out of school he needed to support himself. He decided to turn his hobby into a profession and interviewed with one of the top hair stylists of the day. He would often work 15-hour days and weekends, falling asleep on the bus on the way home at night. Though he earned very little at first, in just two years he built up an impressive portfolio and was styling hair for 'Vogue' covers by the age of 18.
The turning point
Nicky gained a reputation as a session stylist as well as working with John Frieda and transforming the Duchess of York's hair in the mid-1980s. Nicky and his wife, Lesley, decided to open their own salon and soon revolutionised the hairdressing industry by being the first to charge £100 for a haircut. This created competition in the market- place and economically strengthened the industry. After making numerous television appearances, Nicky Clarke soon became a household name. He now runs a multi-million-pound-a-year business.
Conflict: The major and the minor As a young boy, Nicky realised he didn't have the social skills to be working amongst the rich and famous at a Mayfair salon. The prospect of cutting a model with long hair would make him physically ill. But he overcame this anxiety and shyness by working even harder. Building his skills also helped build his confidence. Another obstacle to overcome was being a heterosexual male working in an industry perceived to be homosexual and camp, a perception which has now changed.
Resolution
After 30 years as a hair stylist, Nicky teaches and trains the next wave of young stylists coming through his salon. He business is expanding every year, introducing an electrical line of goods into the market. Because Nicky personally can charge up to £500 for a single haircut, this has also raised people's expectations of his talent. But he doesn't worry too much for as long as hair grows, he'll never be out of work.
