Lockdown Interview with Ikon Man UK

So peeps, Today we had an  opportunity to take an interview of a globally renowned Hair and Make up inspiration, Ikon Man UK, let’s take an insight of crazy gossips we had with him during this short time.

Please tell people about yourself !!!

Well, I am Jeet Savani from the Midlands, England , United Kingdom. You can also be knowing me with the names “Ikon J”, Barber J, “Ikon Man” or “Ikon Man UK”. I am a Men’s hairstylist and men’s makeup artist. Hair and beauty is my profession and my first love. I have been into the “Hair and Make up industry for like 10 years doing everything in the field but my eternal craze is doing Men’s hair and make up. My business name is Ikon Man UK” with the artist name “Barber J”.

So at what age ,you broke into the fashion industry?

“I started my career at the young age of 16. At that time , I used to work in a hair and beauty Salon. I started by learning hairdressing. I learnt everything from cutting and colouring hair to basic beauty treatments. I kept doing this for several next years. After that , I started focusing on Men’s hair and grooming for almost a decade. I did this until I broke into the men’s make up industry, this happened a few years ago. ”

People have been hearing you have numerous certifications in your field, please tell us more about that ?

“yes, that’s true !! I have multiple certifications from some multi-national companies that are known to be leading ones in fashion industry. One of them is L’Oréal Cut and Colour Technician Certification , the other is London school of Barbering Masters, similarly I have NVQ 2 & 3 in Hair and Barbering, I also have an IMA Certification in makeup taken at London school of makeup. Other than this work, I’m also Certified Pro artist with brands such as MAC, Nars , Bobbi Brown, Urban Decay and Tom Ford.” He further added : “I specialize in Male grooming, everything from Hair, beards, cutting, colouring, skin care, facials and make corrective makeup.”

How many years of professional experience do you have now ?

“From the starting point to now, it’s almost been 10 years that I’ve been working in hair and male grooming industry. During this working period, I have taught students over last few years being a qualified Educator and Assessor in Hair and Beauty.”

You have sharpened yourself into best of what you do, have you something to tell people from the latest 2019, 2020 career highlights?

“yes, I have a lot to tell in this regard,  I was honoured to be the brand Ambassador of Kenchi Blade  ”  Ikon Man also added to some highlights of his professional career, “I was honoured to showcase my talent at India fashion week 2020, I have also judged various barbering competitions and also showed my work at International hair show called HairEvo Jam 2019. I also got a chance to fly to Dubai for my clients wedding and also some other Counties for other clients . I was also privileged to be internationally chosen as the dedicated Hair and Makeup Artist for India Fashion Week-2020”

So sir how do you feel when you’re appreciated for your work?

“Well, I’m already doing my dream job and I love doing it , in addition I always feel very appreciated and encouraged by my clients as they receive their treatment and when the results are at their best.  Moreover, it the best feeling ever that I have never looked at this as “work”, it literally feels just like being paid to chat with people and getting them to look better than what they were like before. It feels like ultimately I’m making somebody feel better about themselves, about their looks and about their being who wouldn’t appreciate this job.”

So what do you prefer doing when you are free?

“Well, In my free time I like listening and mixing to music” !  Ikon Man further said : “my other hobby is DJing and I did this alongside this industry and just like hair and beauty it has taken me to other countries in the past so I like to keep up to date with latest music and practice mixing.”

What Jeet Savani has to say for beginners?

“My advice for people who are recently trying to get into this industry is don’t wait ! just start ASAP with just practicing on dummy heads or family and family to see if you really enjoy it , If you do , then take it further!” This shows that it is a kind of job which one can do only if they enjoy doing it , this is something that comes from inside undoubtedly.”

Any specific tips for beginners?

J Savani further added when we asked him this : “ Another very great tip for starter is the platform of Instagram, as back in the days we had to buy magazines to look for inspiration or keeping up to date with the latest industry trends and fashions, but the new generation has a way more stronger weapon for that in their hands, their mobile phones, the social media sites  and stuff is all available to them on fingertips , you just have to search and follow your favourite designers and see what and how they do it for hair and make up . try how to see their work from learning point of view and have a deep insight with the details, that would be pretty helpful for you to learn and try it by adding your own twist in that work. Also in the journey , make sure that you keep taking photos of your work, do that always as photos add to your portfolio and your portfolio is what gets your work.”

How can people find Ikon Man UK online ?

“Ammm, if people want to approach me , they can use my website for that and also I’m frequently available on Instagram so keep up with me on this platform.”

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].