Embodying the simplicity of high fashion and the timeless elegance of the French aesthetic, Australian and now international L’Oréal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy winner, Claudia Cataldo, combined her love of freeform editorial work with the feminine structure and confidence of classic French beauty in a session shoot with INSTYLE this year.
Claudia emphasised her take on the theme French Edito, in a session that takes cues from the timeless minimalism of French style, an aesthetic captured to its full potential in this shoot and in Claudia’s winning entries in the national and global iterations of Style & Colour Trophy.
While on set, we caught up with Claudia about her editorial vision, product go-to’s, inspirations and more, to learn from this ever-growing global industry figure.
What do you love about the shoot concept French Edito?
I love that it embodies the cool French ‘it girl’ hair, effortlessly chic, sophisticated, and embracing different textures and lengths while showing diversity in hair colour.
What are your favourite go-to L’Oréal Professionnel products?
My favourite all-rounder is Tecni.ART PLI. It is the best product to prep hair with, it has thermal protection, it gives the hair a good foundation to work from, not leaving it feeling tacky. It also has memory so I know that whatever curl I create, it will hold. I also love Tecni.ART Super Dust because it creates volume and texture, and it gives an undone dishevelled look.
What was your favourite look on the shoot and why?
That’s a hard one! I loved them all but if I had to choose one, I would say Lucy. I love copper hair and I love curl; texture is everything! It gives you the ability to mould hair into whatever silhouette you desire. I love that everyone is embracing natural texture.
What do your clients love most about your style of work?
They trust my judgement. I love creating beautiful hair, so when I look at clients I think of the total look; colour, cut, and styling. I still think suitability is key to creating the perfect look for my clients, always changing and tweaking according to their individual needs.
Who do you look up to in terms of style?
Zendaya, she has great style, it’s so effortless. She has rocked everything from cropped short hair, to long, and everything in-between. I love her natural texture, and colour-wise she is a chameleon. Her hair colour always complements her, transforming looks.
What is the biggest motivation for doing what you do every day?
I love that we have such power to make people feel beautiful and confident about themselves. My biggest motivation is to keep on top of the game, keep pushing myself creatively, but also giving back to my team and sharing my knowledge, the same as others did for me early in my career. I wake up every day feeling grateful that I get to do what I love.
What is it about editorial work you love the most?
Editorial pushes me creatively – I enjoy the process of creating a mood board, experimenting with the looks and then bringing it to life. What is amazing is that I may start with a look in mind, and then it transforms into something else. It’s the unknown that can be so exciting!
Credits:
Hair: Claudia Catalo for L’Oréal Professionnel
Photography: Milos Mlynarik
Make up: Kristyan Low
Styling: Livia Sharp
Creative: Cameron Pine
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