My First Job - Apprentice Hair Dresser To the Stars

I left school at 16yrs of age with ambitions of doing something 'arty'. I was enrolled at my local art college and I tentatively attended my introductory lesson where I met all my soon-to-be class mates and tutor. That was the one and only class I went to. I decided I couldn't spend the next two years drawing things I had no passion to draw...such as the drab skyline from my bedroom window which was to be the students first challenge. Rightly or wrongly I never went back.

Instead I enrolled at a hair and beauty college and started a 2yr apprenticeship course. My long term plan was to be a famous make-up artist for the BBC (Tv channel in the UK..there were only three of these at that time!!). Part of my course involved 4days a week working in a hair salon as a 'skivvy'. My duties involved greeting and gowning the clients, washing their hair, assisting the stylists and of course lots and lots and lots of cleaning. Did I mention cleaning? ;)

I was paid a whopping £28 for my 32hr working week at the salon. This scheme was at that time called a YTS scheme and all such schemes paid out this meagre amount. I used to buy my lunch at work with my tips and enjoyed pie, chips and a cream cake every day! I think my tips must have been pretty good.

With my £28 a week I used to give my mum £10 for my 'keep', and use the rest for bus fair, new clothes and entertainment. I have no idea how I managed all this as I had a jolly good time back in those days..but I did!

The salon I worked in catered for a mixed clientelle but they were mainily 'high brow' types as the area was predominantly populated by millionaires and celebs.

One of our clients for example was the wife of the 'then' English football association chairman. There was always lots of gossip flying around the salon as clients shared details of their lives with staff. Meanwhile the stylists themselves had quite colourful lives. I recall one stylist enthusing about seeing her gynaecologist and how she was going to iron her panties specially for the occassion.

It was also here that I first heard the story about the lady who was told by her Gynaecologist during a smear test 'thank you for looking pretty for me'. She was very puzzled and confused about this unproffessional comment until she got home. When home she discovered it was not deoderant she'd sprayed on herself in preparation for the examination it was gold body glitter.

The job was a scream and despite the fact I never did become a hairdresser or a make-up artist for the BBC it was still a worthwhile and fun 2 yrs.