20 questions with hair stylist to the stars Errol Douglas
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Graft and graft some more.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Stop looking for the short cut. It’s not there.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
An “I’m alright Jack” mentality is never acceptable. Success and looking out for each other are not mutually exclusive.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My father.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Health.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Perhaps it exposed a somewhat “Ladbrokes” approach behind the scenes– gambling with other peoples’ money.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Awesome” – if it really is then be specific – I want the detail.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
It does to a point. If we all put our own oxygen masks on first we’re in better shape to help others. I do believe however that one should look outwards and I support a few causes including GOSH, Centrepoint and HABB.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Common sense and basic manners. Never use a mobile while operating machinery and rarely use whilst dining with a friend or partner.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Vidal Sassoon, Rankin, Nelson Mandela, Marvin Gaye, Scarlett Johannson, Beyoncé and Simon Cowell. It’ll be cosy but interesting.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Eggs benedict and a small portion of fries. I’d eat it in the exercise yard to get a final dash of fresh air.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
It depends. As a back-to-back appointment hairstylist make that eight in the evening. On a day off during an annual boys’ afternoon with Theo Fennell and friends: Make that upon arrival of the midday variety.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Fellow hair stylists and fashion designers. The behind the scenes anecdotes take some matching.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Marcus Weston: My spiritual mentor.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
My salon in-house chef, Hassin, has a “morning after” creation named after me. Anyone who’s been cured by it will give me the grateful knowing nod while I style them.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A pair of scissors. Hair isn’t a just a job, it’s a calling.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Bentley.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I collect crystal and silver. I suppose most don’t associate hairdressers with that
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Two VIP tickets to see Mrs Carter.
Errol Douglas MBE established a salon in Motcomb Street, Belgravia in 1998. His clients have variously included Emilia Fox, Annie Lennox, Brad Pitt and Forest Whittaker.
Follow him on Twitter @ErrolDouglas1.
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