Douglas McCoy - Hairbrained Awards
Douglas is nothing short of a legend. With over three decades of experience and a remarkable five Hairbrained Awards under his belt, including the prestigious Video of the Year award, his name resonates with excellence in the industry. Beyond his own accolades, Douglas is a passionate educator, sharing his expertise with renowned brands like Sassoon, Toni & Guy, Bumble & Bumble, and R+Co, leaving an indelible mark on professionals worldwide.
Today, we introduce Douglas as a panjandrum in hairdressing, setting the stage for the illustrious Hairbrained Awards set for March 3, 2024 in NYC. This global competition, judged by esteemed beauty experts, offers a $5000 prize for Video of the Year and recognizes outstanding educators who have left an indelible impact on the industry.
Could you share a memorable moment or highlight from your journey with the Hairbrained Awards that has stayed with you over the years?
There have been so many memorable moments at the Hairbrained Awards. I definitely think the ones that stand out were not only meeting and hanging out some of my hair heroes and people I have watched over the years, but actually having some of them like Traci Sakosits, Mark Hayes and Lupe Voss actually be the ones to present me with the awards. Those were truly memorable moments.
Can you describe your creative process when working on a Hairbrained Awards submission? What inspires your unique concepts and designs?
That’s a great question. I’m not a big concept guy. (Although a lot of my films become big concepts) I don’t do much storyboarding. I just like to see where we end up. I think it starts with the model. A great face and personality can help guide you in a direction. I’m also a 70s/80s kid and I have become very aware how much MTV played a role in my life. The concepts, how the music videos of the time were shot, the fashion and the stories they told really affected me and help give me direction, I basically make hairdressing music videos. The collaboration between the model and myself help shape the story. It can be as simple as just an iPhone on a tripod all the way to have a full production team.
What role do you see Hairbrained and similar platforms playing in the future of the beauty and hairstyling industry?
I think any platform that truly loves hairdressers and the craft as a whole is a great asset to have. To show not only the big brand stylists but also the up and coming. The kids who have trained and are taking themselves to that next level. Not just an influencer but hairdressers that are showing full looks and techniques but also teaching. That’s when we win.
Do you have any exciting projects or upcoming ventures that you'd like to share with the Hairbrained community and our audience?
I just left a brand. That’s where my focus has been for quite a while. I really want to get back to making films again. It’s like when you get distracted with something shiny but deep down what you started out doing and creating was what you wanted to be doing all along. I have been working with a good friend on some concepts and I think we have some solid ideas. I would definitely be looking for new films coming soon.
How do you balance your creative pursuits and professional growth with the demands of the industry and your personal life?
Honest answer? I don’t. I tend to be all over the place. I haven’t found the balance yet, but I have heard of it and it sounds interesting. My full-time job right now is in the salon and working with my team. When I film, it’s usually on a Sunday spend all day and then have Monday for editing and released out to the world on a Tuesday. Hairdressing to me is a seven day a week 24 hour a day gig.
Where can people find out more about you?
My Instagram @douglasmccoyofficial is probably what I’m most on as well as the salon Instagram @houseofpop
All my films are on YouTube - it’s fun for me to get on my YouTube page and see the early stuff and see how much I’ve learned over the years.
Join us in celebrating the artistry of hairstyling at HairBrained, where creativity knows no bounds. To learn more, visit www.hairbrained.me and become a part of the #crafthairdresser community.
