I’m excited to share with you my interview with Paris-born Teddy Charles, one of the fashion industry’s most notable hairstylists. Teddy is known for creating contemporary femininity and glamour with an edgy, bohemian sensibility. His cutting-edge hair creations have been featured in the pages of major fashion magazines, such as: French, Italian, American and Teen Vogue. Teddy also created hairstyles for countless runway shows, showcasing his role as a hair and fashion industry trendsetter. Teddy has worked with A-listers such as Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hayden Panettierre and Ellen Page. He has recently collaborated with Sunsilk co-creating their NEW hair care collections: Hydra TLC, Captivating Curls, Daring Volume and ThermaShine.

Teddy Charles in his element, hairstyling

In this interview Teddy Charles talks to Marta Walsh about his beginnings as a hairstylist, his creative partnership with Sunsilk, biggest inspirations in life, personal style, and future plans.

Marta Walsh: Where do you call home?
Teddy Charles: My first home will always be Paris, but New York is a home away from home.

MW: What was your first memory of you interested in beauty and hairstyling?
TC: I began hairstyling as a teenager and assisted the great talents Julien D’Ys and Orlando Pita in my early twenties. Although I was born in Paris, I eventually moved to New York City where I discovered my true passion working behind the scenes at editorial shoots and high fashion runway shows.

MW: What were some of your biggest breaks as a top hairstylist? At what point did you begin to feel you’re up to something?
TC: The turning point in my career was definitely when I began assisting some of the great talents in the hair industry, such as Julien D’Ys and Orlando Pita. From there, collaborating with top photographers – such as Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Glen Luchford, Mikael Jansson, and Karl Lagerfeld – and seeing my hair styling appear in the French, Italian and American Vogue really showed me that I had reached a new level!

MW: Who are some of the celebrities you did hair so far? And which celebrity do you imagine or dream to style their hair?
TD: I’ve worked on Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hayden Panettierre and Ellen Page. I’ve also collaborated with designers Luca Luca, Marchesa, Rag & Bone, Badgley Mischka, Sari Gueron and Yigal Azrouel on their runway shows.

MW: How did your creative partnership with Sunsilk come about?
TC: Like Sunsilk, my hair philosophy is simple and solution oriented – make the most of the hair you have, have a good base and use great products like Sunsilk. When the opportunity came about to co-create the line, I jumped at the chance.

MW: What was the best part of co-creating the NEW Sunsilk Hydra TLC hair care line? What makes the new Sunsilk products stand out?
TC: Actually, the Hydra TLC Collection, one of the four variants I co-created for the new Sunsilk line. The other variants in the collection include Captivating Curls, Daring Volume and ThermaShine.

The best part of co-creating the entire Sunsilk line was the time spent in the lab with the brand development and R&D teams. We went over everything from product benefits to fragrance and discussed what stylists and consumers look for in hair products, and then we made it happen for Sunsilk. The new line includes new ingredients, fragrances and packaging.

MW: What is your philosophy about hair and what do you think beauty is all about?
TC: My hair philosophy is simple and solution oriented – make the most of the hair you have, have a good base and use great products like Sunsilk.

MW: What inspires you?
TC: For my runway shows, I often sit down with the designers and we discuss what the inspiration for their new collection is. From here, I work to create hair styles that complement their vision. For example, if the designer’s vision is ethereal, I work to create soft, feminine and romantic styles. I am also inspired by my daughters (kids are such risk-takers!) — they often give me opinions on new hair styles to try.

MW: What was the first movie you’ve watched on a date?
TC: The movie I went to see for my first date with my wife was in 1998 and the movie was Another Day in Paradise.

MW: How would you describe your personal style?
TC: My personal style and preference is a combination of contemporary looks with and an edgy, bohemian sensibility.

MW: Where can we find you when you’re are not busy creating great hairstyles and formulating grand ideas?
TC: During my downtime, I love being with family and friends and enjoying life.

MW: What’s next for Teddy Charles?
TC: In celebration of Sunsilk’s new collection, I will be touring America to host “Battle of the Brushes” – a styling competition where two local hair talents will go “head to head” in creating high-style looks. Only one stylist will be named the winner — whose hair stylings are worthy of the runways! Both stylists will create a look inspired by one of Sunsilk’s four new collections: Hydra TLC, Captivating Curls, Daring Volume and ThermaShine. The first 50 shoppers that come out to watch the competition will receive free Sunsilk product and a chance for a style consultation from my team of hair experts.

• Friday, April 9th, 2010 – Indianapolis, IN at Castleton Mall

• Thursday, April 22nd – Dallas, TX at Irving Mall

• Friday, April 23rd – Nashville, TN at Opry Mills

• Thursday, April 29th – Tampa, FL at Tyrone Square Mall

• Thursday, May 6th – Las Vegas, NV at Forum Shops

• Friday, May 7th – Phoenix, AZ at Arizona Mills Mall

• Thursday, May 13th – Oklahoma City, OK at Penn Square Mall

• Friday, May 14th – Houston, TX at Galleria Mall

Talking Makeup would like to thank Teddy Charles for his time and brilliant interview. We LOVE you:)

Visit the Sunsilk Official Website for additional product details.

Sunsilk Hydra TLC Co-Created with Teddy Charles