Iles Method Hair Speak: Kenna Kennor NYC

 

Kenna Kennor: “I began doing hair in London in 1999, proper in the course of an unbelievable period for vogue and print. From day one, I discovered myself on set, studying the rhythm of working with photographers, stylists, and associates who had been all constructing their portfolios alongside me. These early days—late nights, shared concepts, and the joy of Trend Week—taught me how highly effective it’s to inform tales by hair.

By 2009, main reveals and dealing on promoting campaigns had turn out to be my on a regular basis life, and with the assistance of a beautiful agent, I used to be in a position to flip my ardour right into a profession. However I missed having an area the place shoppers felt like a part of the journey—so Kennaland by Kenna Kennor was born. From the start, our shoppers understood the inventive chaos of vogue life and supported it wholeheartedly.

In 2014, I opened Kennaland Brooklyn, which rapidly turned our house base within the US. Our shoppers and staff helped form it into a spot the place vogue, craft, and group all dwell collectively. When the pandemic hit in 2020, as an alternative of closing, we expanded to maintain everybody secure. Then in 2024, we added Kennaland Studio for schooling and images, and in 2025 we absolutely renovated the salon—one thing I’m extremely happy with”. 

1. What would you time period as your specialty inside your commerce?

Listening.

2. What’s probably the most pleasing a part of your job?

Consultations, attending to know a shoppers habits, routines and skills with their hair is so thrilling, understanding their way of life is so enjoyable and important for me to do my job.

3. Why did you select the trail of hairdressing and was it simple to fall into this work?

I really stumbled into hairdressing by an ex-partner who labored as a hair and make-up artist for a drag act. I used to go to her at work, and backstage the queens would come flying in, tossing wigs at us and telling us to reset them. It was chaotic, inventive, and truthfully one of the distinctive environments l’d ever been in-and it clicked for me. I spotted that this was precisely the form of vitality and artistry l’d been searching for.
Getting my first job as an assistant was surprisingly easy, however from there the true work started. Hairdressing is extremely technical, and I threw myself into studying all the basics. It took a number of observe to grasp the principles of cutting-and then much more to discover ways to break them with confidence.

4. In the event you had not made the choice to be a hairdresser what would you will have been?

If I hadn’t turn out to be a hairdresser, I feel I’d have opened a small thrift retailer, and even organized a automobile boot sale each Sunday morning, travelling across the nation. I like the concept one particular person’s castoff could be one other particular person’s treasure. I’ve at all times liked treasure searching and discover a lot inspiration within the craftsmanship and workmanship of instances previous.

5. What’s your biggest energy? 

Being open minded.

6. Your favourite hairdressing instruments?

I like my Dyson supersonic r, and I cant dwell with out my ghd platinum flat iron.

7. Inform us about your relationship with Iles Method. The way you found us and which formulation is your favourite?

Wendy used to prep for her London hair campaigns at my salon, and she or he at all times introduced alongside this mysterious product-her personal secret blend-that she would apply to the fashions’ hair earlier than a blow-dry and set. She had this unbelievable strategy of prepping the fashions the day earlier than so their hair seemed contemporary, however with that excellent, barely lived-in end on the day of the shoot. I might by no means seen something prefer it, and I used to be determined to know what was on this magic product she casually known as Wendy’s Method.

Just a few years later, she began creating it commercially, and my London salon turned one of many very first salons to inventory her lles Method merchandise. We completely could not wait to attempt it out. Later, we had been additionally so proud to turn out to be the primary salon in Brooklyn to hold lles Method.

As for my favourite formulation – Ending Serum for all times.

8.  What was probably the most difficult job you ever made?

Through the pandemic, we did a distant shoot, as a staff we guided fashions to do their very own hair, make up, styling, lighting. It was an enormous problem, but in addition superb, you’ll be able to see the sting of the mousse waves we created.

9. What was your worst hair second and why, privately or on set/stage or within the salon?

I used to be as soon as reducing a fringe piece with clippers alone brow for a shoot as a result of I did not have a model head with me and was making an attempt to be respectful to the make-up artist’s work. The problem was that the mannequin’s brow was greater than my pea head, so my “template” was fully off. I walked away with completely symmetrical tram strains on each side of my hairline.

10.  In the event you may type anybody’s hair, who would it not be and why?

Patti smith, her iconic bangs have endlessly impressed me.

11. The place do you pull hair inspiration from?

I nonetheless have and proceed to gather magazines, however Pinterest is so good if you happen to could be particular with a search.

12. Your recommendation to younger hairdressers beginning out?

Always remember you’re an artist.