Biography
Sean Donaldson has had an exceptional career in hairdressing. From his early days as an apprentice with Vidal Sassoon, his talent and creative skills have taken him across the world where he has taught and influenced thousands of hairdressers to achieve their goals.
Now settled in Miami Beach, Sean tends the locks of the Miami crowd along with a host of celebrity clients including Sir Richard Branson and Victoria Beckham, to name but a few.
“From an early age growing up in Kirkcaldy I knew I wanted to be a hairdresser and my aim was to work for Vidal Sassoon and be the best I could be.
“I loved my time at Fife College, Kirkcaldy Technical College as it was known then, and despite being known as a jokester in the class I always had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve. It was a place to learn, where I felt accepted and I could grow, it was the absolute foundation of my career and creative life ahead. College gave me the technical and people skills to move ahead with confidence.
“I was thrilled to join Vidal Sassoon as an apprentice after college in 1989, my career there spanned 15 years working hand in hand with some of the industries greats. I worked in Glasgow, London, Cardiff, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and New York before settling in Miami Beach. During my time at Sassoon, I was instrumental in many key initiatives which took me across the world developing our salons and teams and becoming the youngest salon manager at 25. I was also the face of Vidal Sassoon’s global product brand across Australia and Asia and was featured on bill-boards, print ads and TV commercials, from 1998-2000.
“I’ve been fortunate to have worked on many top fashion shows across the world and have been featured in various magazines including Hello, In-Style and Allure.
“In 2010 I opened my salon in Miami Beach and then my second in Downtown Miami. I have around 70 in my team and we look after, on average, 1,000 clients per week. I am proud of my hardworking team and we are known as the number one destination for hairdressing in Miami and currently voted the best in Miami County.
“Education is extremely important to me and at the heart of my work. I am proud that our salons boast educational seminars, which allow us to travel, teach and guide trends in classic and contemporary techniques bringing skills and experience to many hairdressers across the USA.
“I have so many memories and stand out moments from my career so far. I’m fortunate to have Sir Richard Branson and family as personal friends, visiting their private Necker Island many times to provide hair services for them and their celebrity guests.
“Before Sir Richard went to space in 2021 I cut his famous longer locks short , just hours before his expedition and I was featured in People Magazine for giving him the “Anti-Gravity Haircut”.
“I’m lucky to also have tended the tresses of many other well-known individuals including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Kate Winslet, Cruz and Romeo Beckham, Kate Upton, Sarah Brightman and Martina Navratilova.
“My advice to current and future students would be to believe in yourself and don’t be distracted by other’s opinions. Be kind, set goals, aim high and remember positive thoughts bring positive results!”