This has been a fantastic week! I was given the distinct honor of having a wonderful conversation with Marcia Hamilton, who is known in the entertainment industry as the quintessential hair expert! Just a quick glance at her many celebrity clients at red carpet events more than confirms that she is deserving of this title. They include Venus & Serena Williams, Pink, Stacey Dash, Jill Scott, Kim Kardashian, and Elise Neal.
I spoke with Marcia about the time that she has spent with the family of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith recently. This summer Marcia traveled with the Smith’s, including their children, while they went on press tours to promote Jaden’s appearance in Karate Kid. Marcia was responsible for creating various looks for both Jada Pinkett-Smith and her daughter Willow.
This Mother-Daughter duo made fashion statements and fans buzzing about their looks. This includes Jada’s new “Euro Bang” and Willow’s controversial “Rock Star” Mohawk!
Marcia was extremely forthcoming and sounded very excited to discuss her passion! I had several questions for her, mostly centered around her summer with the Smith family and her wonderfully creative, edgy hairstyles for Jada and Willow. Enjoy some highlights from the interview I had with Marcia Hamilton, one of most classy, talented, and well-spoken ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with!
Jada Pinkett Smith and Daughter Willow at Berlin and Madrid premieres of Karate Kid.
Tami: Hi Marcia! Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me today!
Marcia: It’s my pleasure, Tami!
Tami: I know that Jada Pinkett Smith is a client of yours, and a few days ago we ran an article featuring Will and Jada in New York. I just want to tell you that I thought her hair was absolutely gorgeous!
Marcia: Oh, thank you!
Tami: Does Jada allow you to take creative license in coming up with hairstyles that you think will work for her or does she generally have an idea of how she wants her hair styled and communicates that to you?
Marcia: Well, it’s a collaboration. It’s usually based on whatever the schedule is like. A lot of times, the schedule tends to dictate the direction that we’re going to go in. We figure out what’s hot, what’s current, and what suits her face. I give her some of my ideas, she gives me some of hers, and we throw together references and we go from there.
Tami: Wow, there’s so much involved that I would have never considered!
Marcia: Yeah, people never think about it, but if you’re working with clients that travel a lot, a lot of times you have to think about how busy their schedule is going to be. You also have to think about what the weather is going to be like, and then that can dictate the direction.
Tami: Good point! So many things factor in…what about Jada’s outfits? Do you usually factor in the particular outfit that she plans to wear when deciding how to style her hair?
Marcia: No, the outfit is never a factor. She may decide on a particular outfit, but after hair and makeup is done, she may change her mind and choose something else to wear.
Jada Pinkett Smith and daughter willow at Karate Kid premieres in Paris (left) and Westwood, Los Angeles (right)
Tami: I know that you traveled with the Smith family while they were doing promotions for Karate Kid.
Marcia: Yes, I actually traveled for all of the events that were press-related for Karate Kid.
Tami: What was that experience like? Is that something that you get to do a lot?
Marcia: The experience was absolutely incredible. Over the summer I traveled to London, Madrid, Berlin, Bejing, Cancun, Tokyo, New Orleans, so it was absolutely amazing. It also very fast paced, and it’s a fast moving situation. So, you have to be on your toes and stay abreast of it all.
Tami: That sounds like a fantastic time! I also want to ask about Jada’s daughter, Willow. My own daughter reminds me so much of Willow in both mannerisms and physical appearance…does Willow usually tell you how she wants her hair styled or does Jada communicate that to you?
Marcia: Willow says what she wants, and then Jada tells me. And sometimes, it depends on what’s going on, the event, the weather, where exactly she’s going, and I throw in my two cents.
There are some days where I’m really determined, and I go to Willow and say, “Here’s what we’re going to do”, and she’ll just look at me and say “What!!” (laughter) Then we will relay it to Jada, and Jada gives the “Yay” or “Nay”.
But Willow is extremely progressive for a child her age. She’s super open and she’s so much fun to work with…she’s like a ball energy!
Tami: I’ve noticed that! I’m so intrigued by her…is that just her normal personality, or do you think that comes with having parents that are celebrities?
Marcia: No, that’s just Willow. Her parents said that they knew immediately once she was born, before she could even communicate outside of baby language that “this one is going to be a force to be reckoned with!”
Tami: Are you about to do some more traveling with the Smiths?
Marcia: Actually, I’m here in New York with them right now. Jaden just finished performing at Madison Square Gardens last night with Justin Bieber.
Tami: That sounds so exciting! How was that?
Marcia: Yes! They did a song together for the Karate Kid Soundtrack called “Never Say Never” and Justin’s on tour. Since Jaden had some down time, he decided to join Justin on the tour while in New York. After we leave here, I’m headed back to LA, then I’m headed right back here to New York for “Fashion Week”.
Tami: Wow, how busy and exciting! Marcia, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. There’s so much to love about you and I feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to speak with you!
Marcia: Oh, thank you so very much! It was great speaking with you as well; you have a beautiful day!
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[...] I have a heart for 9-year old Willow. And speaking of “whipping hair”, just last week, I interviewed her amazing hair stylist, Marcia Hamilton, and this is a snippet of what she had to say about Little Miss Willow: “Willow is extremely [...]