Styling the Stars

Darren Littlefield, tutor at Carshalton College, has completed a full journey that his students are just beginning. At 16, Darren completed a modern apprenticeship in hair dressing, before progressing to managing salons, styling the stars to now teaching at Carshalton College.

Darren is an inspiration to all aspiring hair students looking to have a career in hairdressing. After completing his modern apprenticeship at Bromley College, which included working one day a week at a salon called the Cutting Room, his first job was working as a full time stylist in Putney for five years before joining international hairdressing chain, Toni and Guy.

Working in Surrey branches and the West End, Darren progressed to Salon Director at Toni and Guy’s Regent Street salon. Here Darren worked with celebrities including Chris Evans, author Marian Keyes, TV Presenter Ben Shephard and Robbie Williams. While touring Robbie would visit the salon with his band and family for styling with Darren and his team.

Talking about his time at Toni and Guy, Darren said

The best thing at Toni and Guy was the training and being taught quick and efficient methods of hairdressing to meet demand in a high pressured salon and turn around cut and blow drys in 30 minutes for all styles.

His career has also included time working on TV shows including the Clothes Show with Jeff Banks and Brian's Boyfriend, a programme with Big Brother winner Brian Dowling. Darren left Toni and Guy as Manager of the Covent Garden branch to become Manager of the Cutting Room where he worked during his apprenticeship.

In this role he focused on re branding the salon and developing staff training. This is area Darren feels passionate about and moved to Carshalton College to continue the training role

It is great to share what you know with students learning and keep the industry growing by moulding students and watching their skills develop.

Darren is part of the Renaissance team at Carshalton College where the tutors are still working in industry and have a wealth of experience. Tutor, Janet White, has worked at the College for six years. In addition to teaching Janet has helped style acts on the X Factor and currently works part time on photo shoots and at a salon where they specialise in hair extensions for clients such as Dame Kelly Holmes.

Renaissance Hair and Beauty Salon is open to the public at Carshalton College and a wide variety of treatments are available including cut and blow dry, colour, perms, manicures, pedicures, facials, massage and waxing at reasonable prices.

Please click on the links for information on all our hair Part and Full-Time courses and Apprenticeships.

13 July 2010

For more information, please contact
Maxine Alexander, Marketing and Publicity Manager
e: maxine.alexander@carshalton.ac.uk  t: 0208 544 4558