Interview with the hair stylist
Natalie Fischer, Jegenstorf

Mrs. Natalie Fischer has been running a hairdressing saloon in our village since June 1999. She is trained to be a man's, woman's, and theater hairstylist. Additionally, she has a master craftsman diploma which entitles her to instruct trainees, or apprentices. In the beginning of August, a trainee has already begun her apprenticeship with N. Fischer. At the same time, a trained ladies' hairstylist is completing a supplementary course for men’s hairstyling.

During her work, I had the opportunity to ask Mrs. Fisher a few questions concerning her profession.

Reto:
What is your reason for choosing this profession?

N. Fischer:
Hairstyles have been of great interest to me since childhood. I tried out all sorts of hairstyles and copied those I admired.

Reto:
How long does it take to become a professional man's or woman's hairstylist? And in what ways does the training differ between the two?

N. Fischer:
The basic training for both male and female hairstyling takes three years. If, for example, your basic training has been in ladies' hairstyling, you can add another year of training to become a professional in man's hairstylist, and vice versa. That is what Steffi [the ladies' hairstylist] will be doing here, beginning in August, whereas Maria [the apprentice] will begin her basic three year training.

Reto:
What else did you have to learn in order to become a hairstylist working for the theater?

N. Fischer:
Here, the main emphasis lies in the make-up. It is essential that the hair style and make-up matches. Before applying for theater hairstylist training, you must have completed the basic training for an ordinary hairstylist. Work as a hairstylist in a theater usually consists of 80% doing someone’s hair and 20% make-up.

Reto:
Could you briefly delineate the fashion trends in hairstyling during the last 100 years?

N. Fischer:
That’s no easy question to answer, but I will try. At the turn of the century, around 1900 A.D., the fashion was into pinning the hair up high. People tried in all sorts of ways to build up even higher and more impressive hairstyles. Then in the thirties, people suddenly walked around with short wavy hair. Since, 1950 bopped hair became the fashion. In 1960, the hairstyles looked similar to those of today. Some had their hair long (Beatles) and others short. In the seventies, it seemed to be utterly unacceptable if you didn’t have your hair parted in the middle. After 1980, perms experienced a real renaissance, and since the beginning of the nineties, people have increasingly been asking for colorful hairstyles.

Reto:
Which tinges and coloring are most frequently asked for? Do specific age groups ask for specific colors?

N. Fischer:
Red and blonde tinges are the most commonly used colors, regardless of age. However, dark colors are only requested by young people. Moreover, all bright colors are being demanded at the present time.

Reto:
Which type of hair is the most difficult to handle?

N. Fischer: Usually the cross-section of a hair is round. But occasionally you come across hair that is more oval shaped or flat. You call this ribbon-hair. This, as well as the extremely fine type of hair, is the most difficult to work on.

Reto:
How do you actually cut your own hair? Do you do it yourself, or do you go to a competitive professional?

N. Fischer:
Due to the fact that up to now I have mostly been working in a team, I have been able to have my hair done by a colleague. But in the case of an emergency, I also have a sister who has the same profession as I. It is extremely difficult to cut one’s own hair. I am not sure whether I would want to show up with a self-cut hairstyle in my saloon.

Reto:
What kind of hairstyle are you yearning to do on somebody?

N. Fischer:
I have no favorites. I always try to propose something that suits that particular type of person. I do like to get away from the normal everyday things, but only to a certain, reasonable extent.

Reto:
Can you name a personality whom, sometime, you would enjoy helping develop a new look?

N. Fischer:
(thinks about it for a moment) Yes. I would like to make a new hairstyle palatable to Prince Charles and the Swiss federal chancellor Adolf Ogi - one without a stern parting.

Reto:
What do you like best about your profession?

N. Fischer:
I love working with people. Being in contact with my customers and, in particular, having individual consultations are very important to me. It is a good experience when a satisfied customer leaves my saloon.

Reto:
What are the most common problems for which customers seek advice?

N. Fischer:
That, of course, is the question concerning the suitable hairstyle.

Reto:
Do you talk a lot with your customers?

N. Fischer: (laughs)
Oh yes! A great deal and I love talking... but not when I am ill.

Reto:
Could you perhaps tell me an anecdote of your personal work?

N. Fischer:
My boss was my first customer. Because I failed to use the jagged scissors properly, I first cut her ear and then - in my fright - instead of opening the scissors immediately, I began pulling.... !

Reto:
Thank you very much for this interesting conversation. May I shoot a few photographs?

N. Fischer: Of course, take as many pictures as you like. It was fun answering your questions.

I wish you and Patrick successful work.

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