Written by: Ivka Barić Photos: Marko Dukić / Bosnić & Dorotić
When a hairstylist has established long-term collaborations with world-renowned photographers and prestigious magazines such as Vogue, GQ, Elle, Gloria Glam, Grazia, Storybook etc., it is clear as day that you are dealing with a top professional. There is never much room at the top of the ladder, but Ante Pažanin has had a legitimate claim to the throne as one of Croatia’s leading hairstylists for years now.
This professional, deeply infatuated with his work, boasts an impressive portfolio consisting of hundreds of internationally renowned editorials that demanded a great deal of creativity, a clear vision, and unwavering professional commitment. This didn’t go unnoticed by numerous local celebrities, so it is difficult to think of a singer, actress, and even a politician or entrepreneur, who did not have full confidence in entrusting her hair care to Pažanin.
He built his career over a number of years, polishing his knowledge and skills through professional training and seminars in London, as well as participation in various shoots. As an already established expert in his field, he made the decision to open his own hairdressing salon, Studio TE, at an exclusive location in Park kneževa in Zagreb.
The mission of his salon, which stands out for its modern and refined design, is to provide clients with top-notch haircuts and hair care services. While you are in Pažanin’s skilled hands, which make the scissors seem like an instrument creating a perfect composition, you will be immersed in the world of vertical floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The sense of spaciousness and boundlessness in this space, without clearly defined boundaries, will round off the overall unique experience.
In addition to his passion for all things hair, Pažanin distinguishes himself with his unique and personalised approach to each and every client. No matter the occasion or your personal preferences, his salon is THE place to go for a perfect hairstyle. Whether you are going to a fashion show, wedding, girls’ night out, or simply seeking to feel confident in your own skin, rest assured that you will leave Pažanin’s salon looking like a star.
Moreover, he will gladly share his knowledge on the importance of proper hair care and styling. After all, a modern hairstyle is more than just following trends. While taking in the satisfied expression on the face of Pažanin’s client as he adjusts the last few loose strands of her new hairstyle in smooth motion, we come to realise that in the hands of such an expert, every hairstyle transforms into a reflection of one’s personal style and identity.
A new hairstyle can give us the sense of a fresh start. When we feel satisfied with our hairstyle, we tend to be more inclined to engage in social interactions and be open to new experiences. All of this can significantly boost our ability to cope with everyday challenges, so a master stylist plays a crucial role on our path to happiness.
It is precisely the care for the hair of clients who place confidence in him in an atmosphere of mutual trust that makes this experienced professional happy. Ante Pažanin and his team pay attention to details and provide a unique experience – clients appreciate this and always come back for more, knowing that in Pažanin’s case, passion for hair, fashion and art come together as a whole. This is exactly why he has become a household name in the Croatian beauty industry.
How did you start your career in the world of hairdressing and styling?
Since I was a little kid, I have always been fascinated by the transformations that hairstyles can bring out in people. Even then, I knew that my destiny would be intertwined with scissors and brushes. And I persisted in that belief. My career took off in Split, where I graduated from a hairdressing school. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with excellent mentors in renowned salons, which helped me gain valuable experience and skills.
The desire for continuous self-improvement brought me to Zagreb, which became my second home. I got the opportunity to work as a hair stylist on numerous shoots for magazines, advertising campaigns, and music videos for both local and international productions.
Collaborating with creative individuals in the fashion, film and media industries has further enriched my career, transforming it into a way of life and an all-consuming passion. But it all traces back to my childhood fascination with hairstyles…
What inspires your work?
First of all, hair is truly a natural wonder, an extraordinary and versatile material that never ceases to amaze me. Every aspect of it fascinates me – from the texture and structure to the flow. However, I have to say that my clients are my biggest inspiration. They are the ones who bring out the best in me day after day and encourage me to keep moving forward. Their unique preferences, personalities and stories often serve as my guiding principles because their happiness and trust are powerful motivators for me. A happy client is my biggest reward and inspiration.
When deciding on a hairstyle, how do you assess the shape of the client’s face and their personality? Can you walk us through your creative process for determining the ideal hairstyle for your client?
Prior to styling the hair, it is important to have an initial conversation with the client – not only about their desires, but also about how they feel and what kind of energy they are carrying. I want to understand exactly what they expect in terms of hairstyle and the effect they want to achieve. Of course, the shape of the face plays a key role in choosing a hairstyle: the goal is to accentuate their best facial features, all the while having in mind the quality of their hair.
Every person is unique, so I always try to go with a hairstyle that will best bring out their personality, style, and way of communication in everyday life. It’s like creating a work of art, and the biggest reward is the smile on the face of a satisfied client.
How do you adapt to different hair types?
Every person’s hair is unique and that’s what makes it special. I approach each hair type individually, as each provides me with an opportunity to create something special. It’s important to understand its specifics, be it thin, thick, or curly hair. Every hair type should be regarded as unique and it’s paramount to find the best option to style it in a way appropriate for that specific type. Adapting to different hair types is challenging, but at the same time extremely fun.
How to maintain a hairstyle at home, in between visits to the salon?
At the risk of sounding repetitive, I’ll once again point out that hair care is crucial. Healthy hair equals beautiful hair, no doubt about it. Therefore, it’s really important to take care of your hair at home in order to preserve its vitality, lustre, and softness during the entire period in between visits to the salon. Choose hair products that suit your hair type. Everything else is best left to the hairdresser. After all, your hair is our concern! I’ll always offer you the best hair care tips and products and educate you on how to take care for your hair at home.
What hair care and styling products do you recommend?
When it comes to hair care and styling, I have my favourites. Philip B is at the top of my list. His products effectively restore vitality to the hair, imparting a noticeable shine, softness, and deep conditioning. What amazes me about Philip B products is the attention paid to the selection of the highest quality ingredients, such as natural oils and pure herbal extracts, which regenerate the hair to a great effect and make it look healthy again. A mere touch is enough to notice that the hair is incomparably better after the treatment.
I’d also like to mention the French brand Leonor Greyl, which uses only natural ingredients and is regarded as one of the world’s best hair care brands. The Italian Alfaparf Milano, with a very long and proud tradition of hair care and styling, is likewise outstanding. They have a wide range of products so there’s something for everyone.
I always keep a variety of high-quality brands on hand at my salon so that I can approach each head of hair individually.
How do you keep up with the latest global fashion trends?
I find it very important to always be up to date with all global fashion events, and that includes keeping up with all fashion weeks. You can often see amazing and interesting hair trends there. In addition, I regularly read fashion magazines and follow the work of renowned hairdressers worldwide, which helps me understand the latest trends.
Every year I go to London for Salon International, the largest European hairdressing fair. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the big leagues in my profession at work and gain insight into their perspective on how hair should be styled.
Trends come and go – that’s why I’m insistent on having a comprehensive understanding of fashion. Thanks to this, I have the opportunity to set my own trends and offer my clients a distinctive vision for hair and fashion.
Could you let us in on some of the major hair trends for this winter?
Shiny, healthy hair – my particular fave – has been the megatrend for quite some time. This trend promotes natural-looking hair, without too much contrast in hair colour. In addition, the focus is on trimmed hair that is carefully groomed and looks as natural as possible.
How would you describe your work on fashion campaigns?
Working on fashion campaigns is a truly special experience. First and foremost – you must be a real team player. This means you must find a way to work with many different professionals from the fashion industry, including models, photographers, stylists, and makeup artists. Each of them, just like yourself, contributes to the creation of a unique fashion image. You need to be in touch with current trends, but also have a sense of your own style and creativity in order to stand out.
In addition to working with clients, doing fashion campaigns is another great passion of mine, my vessel for showing my interest in fashion and my sense of style in a different manner. And what a privilege and pleasure it is to convey that passion and fashion vision to my clients at the salon! I always do my best to make sure that every hairstyle I create has that special fashion touch.
What are some of the most challenging fashion campaigns or editorials you have worked on?
I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on numerous local and international productions throughout my career. Among the more challenging projects, I’d single out working on covers and editorials for the iconic fashion magazine, Vogue. Working on such a huge project was undeniably demanding, but at the same time it was also a tremendous honour.
Also, I’ve been lucky enough to work on numerous editorials and covers for magazines such as Elle, GQ, Mirror Mirror Magazine, Schön! Magazine, Gloria Glam, Grazia, Storybook and many others. Participating in fashion shows is an amazing experience as well. Every new project represents an opportunity for growth and creativity. In the world of fashion, preparation and dedication are crucial, as there is no margin for error. Photos are pretty unforgiving, but the feeling of accomplishment that comes with successfully completing a project is immensely rewarding.
What are your experiences with famous people? Are they demanding as clients?
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many famous people, including world’s top models, local and international musicians, actors, and influential businesspeople. However, I must emphasise that they were not demanding as clients at all. For me, every person who sits in my hairdressing chair is unique and deserves a high level of respect, understanding and patience on my part. Regardless of the client’s fame or status, my approach is always the same. My clients are all stars in their own stories, and I try to make them feel that way when they walk into my salon.
I often like to say that no one can be as demanding as I can be professional. Working with celebrities is a special privilege, but professionalism and dedication have been my core principles in all interactions with clients, regardless of their status.
How do you balance working on projects with celebrities with day-to-day work at the salon?
Sometimes I feel like the day should last twice as long so that I could get everything done. Balancing several projects requires great effort and skill because no aspect of business should be neglected at any moment in time. Sometimes I’m unable to come to the salon due to my involvement in fashion projects, but I’m lucky to have this outstanding team of colleagues to cover for me. They’re always there to help out with work and keep the salon running smoothly, even when I’m not around.
Organisation is the key to success. I have to carefully plan my commitments and be flexible enough to work around sudden changes in my schedule. Sometimes that means a lot of late nights and early mornings, but when you do what you love, it’s all worthwhile.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to change their look?
Whenever someone wants to change their look, it’s always a special moment. Hair plays a key role in our daily communication, presentation, and expression of our attitude. We all change over time, and sometimes hair needs to follow that change.
The first step is to pick up the client’s vibe and get a clear picture of what they want. You need to understand what effect they want to achieve. My role as a hairdresser is to advise, educate, and provide information about hair care and hairstyle maintenance, and it’s important to lay out the possible downsides if the requested change is not the best option for the client. I like change and I’m generally delighted when someone requests something different. It’s a chance for me to sweep them off their feet anew and explore new possibilities with them. The feeling of seeing someone rediscover their love for themselves after a change is incredible and it reminds me of why I’ve been so smitten with hairdressing ever since I was a child. That is the true reward for my hard work and passion.
