Issue / There's Something About Harry

by Anokhi Admin

There’s Something About Harry

Jun 25, 2013

Why hair artist Harry Josh is on the speed dial of Hollywood’s A-listers

You may not realize it, but every time you go to the movies, turn on your TV or flip through a magazine, there are a number of people behind the scenes who put in hours of work just to get that actor or model in the shot to look just right. This kind of meticulous work requires a ton of dedication, and very few have been able to persevere long enough to reach that pinnacle level of success in their careers. One exceptional South Asian hairstylist who has been able to make his dreams a reality and reach celebrity-hairstylist status is Harry Josh.

Humble beginnings

Harry Josh is a native of Vancouver, B.C., where he got his first taste of hairstyling. Enrolled in business school, he would routinely skip classes to cut hair at Axis Salon. Knowing early on that he wanted to be more involved in the celebrity world, Josh packed up and moved to New York City where a chance friendship with a then-unknown model proved to be his lucky break. The model was Gisele Bundchen and Josh was lucky to be her personal hairstylist. Gisele would walk up the flights of stairs to his apartment and have him colour her hair in his bathroom. It was his then-cutting-edge technique that gave her sun-kissed locks that garnered them both attention. The technique, called balayage, involves using a paint brush to paint highlights onto the hair. The result is a much more natural, manageable and sun-kissed look. While on set, people would constantly ask her who coloured her hair. As her star grew, so did Josh’s. Since then he has styled the tresses of Fergie, Britney Spears and Natalie Portman to name but a few celebs on his A-list roster.

Opportune chances

With success as a professional celebrity hairstylist comes the kinds of opportunities and perks most of us could only dream of. Josh has worn many hats in the industry, beginning his career not only as a hairstylist, but also as a casting director for Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. Josh also acts as the creative consultant for John Frieda, an innovative line of hair-care products. You can also see his talent on Hollywood’s red carpets. Josh’s most recent work found him at the 2011 Oscars in Los Angeles as Gwyneth Paltrow’s personal hairstylist. “I have done all the major awards shows, but this time, since Gwyneth was singing, I got to actually go backstage with her. It was amazing to see all the stars running around and mingling with each other,” he says. Josh has even appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show as a part of a panel of hair experts alongside some of the biggest names in hair, including Jessica Simpson’s hair guru Ken Paves, and Beyonce’s stylist Kimberly Kimble. He also hosts an annual “Spring Fling” bash that is usually filled to the brim with Hollywood heavyweights such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Determination is success

What is it about Harry that allowed him to reach such extraordinary levels of success? Josh credits his healthy habits; he has a “My body is my temple” philosophy. Josh exercises regularly, eats well and reads self-help books to keep his mind in a positive state. His mom, Amarjit Josh, credits her son’s talent to his “passion, hard work, self-confidence, will power, compassion and humbleness.” It hasn’t been an easy road though. She adds, “He has faced a lot of hardships to achieve this success.” While that may deter certain individuals, Josh remains a constant positive attitude.

“I have never had a bad experience; I love all the celebs I have worked with,” he says While Josh works in a creative field that allows him a daily routine that most of us can only dream about, his pursuit of success isn’t much different from others. The path to achieving one’s dreams seems to be the same no matter where you’re from. Hard work, passion, confidence, perseverance and a positive attitude are the elements to build a successful career in whatever field you choose. Begin that journey and don’t look back.

BY: DEEPA BERAR / PUBLISHED: THE PASSION ISSUE, MAY 2011