Hair Industry Icon, Victor Sabino Interview

Guest Author - Lynne Chapman

I recently had a chance to chat with one of the leaders of the hair care industry. Victor Sabino has over 34 years in hairdressing with experience in the preparation, protection, styling and enhancement of hair. He has owned two very successful salons in Southern California and now has an exclusive salon located in Scottsdale, Arizona. He continues to serve as a consultant to top salons across the nation, such as a 52-chair Beverly Hills salon that caters to celebrities, including Meg Ryan and Sylvester Stallone.

He has been published in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Brides and Cosmopolitan and in trade magazines, such as Passion, Italian Estetica, American and Modern Salon. Mr. Sabino founded Oggi International of Beverly Hills, where he developed innovative products such as the first volumizers and spray leave-in conditioners.

The following is part one of my interview with Victor Sabino.

L.Chapman: Tell me about how you got started into the business of hairdressing.

V.Sabino: I came from a master barber and hairstyling family. I swore I would never be a hairstylist but I was encouraged to at least try going to beauty college. I hated it until I met a stylist from Vidal Sassoon. It was a great creative outlet for me, like painting a picture. In fact my Uncle Tristan (now deceased) was in the Guiness Book of World Records for years as the highest paid barber in the world from 1960's to the 70's. He did all of the top stars then, like Liberace, and charged $200 per haircut.

L.Chapman: You have been billed as “Stylist to the Stars.” May I ask you, what celebrity was the easiest to please?

V.Sabino: Each one, like regular clients, had an idea and I made that idea better by doing good work. Have you ever seen someones haircut and just knew that it was a great cut? My work showed that and that's what they cared most about.

L.Chapman: Who was the most fun?

V.Sabino: Eddie Van Halen!

L.Chapman: Is there anything else you can share about your celebrity clients?

V.Sabino: They have issues, frustrations, happiness and emotions just like eveyone else. Their exposure forces them to act off film as well as on but, when you gain their trust, they are real people just like anyone else.