Hairstylist Mitchell Field, who launched his career 50 years ago with Vidal Sassoon, says "Fashion comes and goes but great style is timeless."
FAIRFAX, CA - From his days as an apprentice at the posh and world renowned Mayfair salon of Vidal Sassoon, to Montreal, Los Angeles and eventually Fairfax, Calif. ~ hairstylist Mitchell Field has cut, curled and colored his way through the last five decades.
Field celebrates his 50th anniversary in 2013 recalling his five decades cutting through changes in fashion, culture and obsessions with hair and
continues to operate an intimate, sophisticated salon at 31 Broadway Blvd. in Fairfax, where he's celebrating 20th Anniversary.
During his career Field helped establish iconic hair designs; played an important role in popularizing punk-culture and rock 'n' roll hair styles of the 1980s; and even styled Michael Richards’ iconic 'Kramer' look for his role in the popular television series “Seinfeld.”
In addition to his career as a hairstylist, Field also ventured into entertainment, establishing himself as a respected Bay Area actor and radio host.
He's appeared in independent films and commercials and in stage plays and musicals for theater companies including the Marin Mountain Play, Ross Valley Players and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He also produces and hosts "The Field Trip," a weekly arts and entertainment interview show, broadcast on Radio Sausalito.
His passion however, is hairstyling. Field has enjoyed a career which has brought him from Mayfair to Marin and from post World War II conventional hairstyles into the 21st century, where individuality rules the day.
"It's hard to believe that 50 years went by that fast. In five decades I've seen hairstyles go from pin-curls, teased bee-hives and flattops, to geometric cuts, punk and hair extensions, to the styles of today. My 'signature-style' is relaxed, modern cuts and great color and highlighting which suits my client's personality, looks and lifestyle," said Field, who lives in San Rafael. "Sexy, face-framing layers are a big hit with my female clients and no-nonsense, wash-and-wear cuts for the men."
Beginning as a shampoo boy, Field was 14-years old when he landed a prestigious three-year apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon's original salon on Bond Street in London. Vidal Sassoon (who died in May 2012) established a revolution in hairstyling in the 1960's. His "wash and wear," geometric haircuts were embraced as modern and liberating.
"In London in the 1960's, everything one needed to know about hair could be said in just two words - Vidal Sassoon. So, I decided to begin my career there on Bond Street in London's Mayfair. I spent five years there with Mr. Sassoon. He was 'The Godfather' of modern hairstyling," said Field.
Field was a mere sixteen when he became Sassoon's youngest stylist. He worked alongside Vidal on hairstyles for Paris and Rome fashion shows and with top models including Jean Shrimpton and Grace Coddington, who is today the creative director for American Vogue.
"It was an incredibly exciting time. We Baby-Boomers were beginning to make our mark on hair, fashion and music. It was a huge explosion called 'London's Swinging Sixties.' It was a period of optimism, hedonism and cultural revolution. It was Carnaby Street clothes, Mods, 'Twiggy', The Who, The Kinks, Pirate-Radio, the Mini car and the Mini skirt," said Field.
At seventeen, Field created the 'Square-Curls' hairpieces, which became an iconic image for Sassoon.
"Seeking change in the late 1960's I moved to Montreal and operated salons there for a decade, then spent two years 'on-the-road' as a platform-artist, styling hair at conventions and conferences, before a large Midwestern chain of hair salons and beauty schools brought me to the United States as their 'Styles-Director,' " said Field.
In 1969, the sexual, musical and social revolution culminated with 'Woodstock,' a three-day musical festival in upstate New York that became the benchmark for a generation evoking social and cultural change. Then in his 20's, Field went to the historical event and appears in the 1970 documentary film.
Professional opportunities brought Field to Los Angeles in 1980, a time when hairstyles became the fashion accessory for self-expression with outrageous color and cuts becoming the norm.
"I was in the right place at the right time," said Field. "In the 1980's, L.A. was the place for music and to be a hit in music, you had to have the right hair. That's where I came in. It was big fun," said Field.
For twelve years Field owned and operated two salons which became L.A.'s best-known establishments for Punk, Mod, New Wave, Valley Girl and Rocker hairstyles. Field offered punk-culture and rock 'n' roll hairstyles for young trend setters, up and coming musicians and established rock stars including Billy Idol, Adam Ant, Alice Cooper and Guns N' Roses. During that period, Field also styled Michael Richards’ iconic hairstyle for Richards’ role as Kramer in the popular television series “Seinfeld.”
"By the 1990's I was ready again for a change. After a dozen crazy years in Los Angeles, I was burned-out and needed to switch gears. I was traveling through Marin and had a few free days to explore the county. I drove into Fairfax and that was it," said Field.
"The downtown salon that I've been in for the past 20 years was miraculously vacant; I met the owner and signed the lease that day - within a month I had moved to Marin. I commuted to L.A. three days a week for the first two years until I had built my clientele here, then I sold the businesses in L.A."
When Field opened his current salon in Fairfax he settled into a more relaxed pace in order to pursue new experiences, including performing on stage and screen, hosting a radio show and leading trail and mountain hikes.
"I still enjoy working as a hairstylist and love helping my clients’ look and feel their best. There is no particular dominant style or length today; it's all about wearing what suits you. A great haircut is important but what's most important is great hair color. Color is the haircut of the 21st Century," said Field.
"Hairstyles serve as an important marker for the transformations that society has made in the last 50 years. It's been exciting to be part of that. A timeline of hairstyle photos marking each decade would tell the story of how we've gone from conventional and uptight to relaxed," said Field.
"I've followed and maybe even been part of establishing fashion trends, but today, for me the great fun of what I do is working with my clients to find the perfect cut, color and style for them. Fashion comes and goes but great style is timeless," said Field.
For more information about Mitchell Field Salon in Fairfax, Calif. and special anniversary promotions and events call 415-454-8818 or visit
www.mitchellfieldsalon.com
