Today we’d like to introduce you to Arielle Wolff-Sachs.
Arielle, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hairdressing was a career that just fell in my lap. My first job when I was sixteen was at LAB salon in midtown. I worked at the desk and as an assistant. I would wash hair and sweep floors. Everyone in this industry really starts from the bottom. After I graduated from high school, I fell into the crowd that “has to continue into high education to get anywhere in life.” I realized shortly that wasn’t for me. So my dad’s buddy Riley McLaughlin, owner and head stylist at Snip Salon in Miami Beach, took me in and I was working full time working another desk. I found it ironic that every place I looked for work, only the hair salons would hire me. It was a sign. Riley encouraged me to go to beauty school and would take me on as an apprentice. Working full time and going to school full time was some of the most chaotic times in my early adulthood.
Towards the end of my year of beauty school, I found Sean Donaldson Hair. In relation to Riley, most of the hairstylists moved over from Vidal Sassoon. Sassoon is a military school for hairdressers. Rigorous and precise. I apprenticed for what seemed like forever to practice ABC’s on a hundred heads. Keith Ayotte, Nichola Lynch, and many others from the Sean Donaldson team showed me skills that played into my own creative vision. When I finished my training, I was able to stay on the floor there and work behind the chair.
A floodgate of opportunities followed. It started with working backstage for Miami’s Swim Week to working NYFW Spring/Summer 2019 and Sports Illustrated Relaunch. I would help on set for test shoots to work on the set for Victoria Secret right under the great hands of celebrity stylist Danielle Priano. But the biggest highlight was flying out to Seattle to meet Tim Hartley, the godfather of hair, assisting him on stage for a trade show. I was shaking in my boots.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Well, during my training, you had to hit the streets and find potential hair models. Miami is not an easy place to find women who are open to cutting off all their hair. Miami is a transient/trendy obstacle. Sometimes you have to really seek out a community that is more daring with their hair. I would find most of my models at Chruchills.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
I would say many of my haircuts are inspired by my own queer/punk culture that I grew up with. I had many hairstyles and colors. I like to give creative and precision haircuts. But when it comes to any texture, I love working with curly hair. It’s much more animated. You can actually freehand afros and kinky curls. Haircutting is like sculpture.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am excited to start a haircare line collaboration with Shade Country. I want to also travel the world. I want to expand my skills learning with more masters of the craft. London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, and Tokyo. I’m very hopeful to making more connections and experiencing these cities. I even thought about becoming an educator someday, like most of my mentors. I don’t always see myself just behind the chair. I want to go beyond that. No, I never own a salon.
Pricing:
- Haircut+Blow Dry $85
- Haircut $65
- Blow Dry Short $35
- Blow Dry $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wolffsachs.com/
- Phone: 9177917662
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @wolffsachs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolffsachs
Image Credit:
Photographer: Brandon L Harris
Stylist: Dijana Nedelcovych
Makeup: Madeline Rouge
Model: Gabrielle Montes De Oca
Photographer : Bernardo Gasparini
Stylist: Nat Rosen &Mckey Terrell
Makeup Artist: Robert Reyes
Model: Gabriela Lima
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