It all began with her passion for literature and art history, which ultimately led Lesley, known as the queen of colour, to colouring hair whilst telling stories through it.
When Lesley Jennison stepped into Vidal Sassoon’s academy in 1986, she had no idea she was embarking on a journey that would culminate in her becoming known as the queen of colour. Originally considering working in the world of theatrical make-up, Lesley took a detour into hairdressing that has shaped a remarkable 38-year career, attracted more than 58,000 Instagram followers and earned her the title of Global Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional.
Her approach to colour is as unique as her path to success. Drawing on her love of literature and art history, she doesn’t just colour hair but tells stories through it. Her signature technique – a "heavy veil of lightness" – masterfully blends scientific precision with artistic flair, taking prompts from the physics of light itself. Her prowess doesn’t stop at hair, though. She has also been making a name for herself as an educator, public speaker and cultural connector – bringing together people and ideas to foster the next generation of hair talent.
But despite the acclaim (and the 18 years spent trotting the globe as a renowned hair expert), Lesley remains curious. She finds inspiration in the unexpected. It could even be said that she has a radical commitment to keeping her work fresh and distinctive, and in her hands hair colouring becomes much more than spending a few hours in a salon chair: it’s a transformative experience.
“The feeling of making someone look better – that’s great. but it’s much, much deeper than that. It’s about them feeling better.”
Lesley Jennison
@lesleyjennison