I was very fortunate to be trained by one of the most disciplined creative hair artists of that time in Australia, Mr. Leslie Hill. Doing a 4 year apprenticeship under an artist like Leslie was a fantastic beginning to my career. Leslie could do things with hair that to this day are remarkable and was a long hairdressing genius."
This coupled with the emergence of the Sassoon era and the technical perfection that the geometric era brought to the Hairdressing field was the basis of Hilton's early training.
It was a very exciting era for fashion and hairdressing along with many other artistic fields.
Hilton opened his first salon at the age of 20 and it became a very successful salon. The operation attracted the top stylists in the area as well as discerning clients. The salon's book was full 4 weeks in advance and Hilton himself was booked out 6 to 7 weeks in advance. Because of the innovative work, Hilton and his staff soon became sort after by the top product companies and the fashion houses. |
Even though at that time we had an amazing amount of fun and the salon itself was hip, wild and very Avante guard for its time our work was very disciplined. It was all about the quality of the work. If one hair was out of place the client was not allowed to leave the salon." At this time Hilton had recently won the prestigious Wella High Fashion Design awards in Australia.
Hilton was soon off to London to expand his viewpoint and see the best in London.
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In the early 80's Hilton sold his salons and moved to London for a sabbatical, after being in London for sometime Hilton decided to move back to Australia and opened a new salon in downtown Melbourne. Here Hilton immersed himself back into hair and fashion and once again built up a high end salon and clientele. Creating looks for fashion designers and working with some of Australia’s top fashion photographers was part of his busy working environment.
The salon was known for its level of service and quality of work and attracted celebrity clients from around the city and country. As well as internationally. One of his clients would fly in from Hong Kong each 6 weeks to get her hair done.
When asked about the celebrity clients, that he has done over the years, you get an interesting answer from Hilton. — “I have always respected my clients privacy and in particular anybody that is or maybe a celebrity, besides while it’s nice to have celebrity clients, it’s the quality of my client , whether that person is well known or not is more important to me.”
When asked about the celebrity clients, that he has done over the years, you get an interesting answer from Hilton. — “I have always respected my clients privacy and in particular anybody that is or maybe a celebrity, besides while it’s nice to have celebrity clients, it’s the quality of my client , whether that person is well known or not is more important to me.”
Over the years, I have had the privilege to meet numerous people from many walks of life and professions. I really don’t place much importance on someone's bank account size or their notoriety, I have found that there are real and genuinely caring people, as well as the other end of the spectrum in all walks of life.
At the end of the day it’s about the quality of your work and the service you give to the Individual in front of you, whoever they are. A true professional, whether they’re a celebrity, a housewife a mother, a business person, janitor, or a captain of industry (or any other title you can think of) has an appreciation for a quality of work that is done professionally."
In the early 90’s (being the sort of person to never rest on his laurels) Hilton moved in another direction, he started to freelance as well as help other well known Hairdressers in Melbourne.
He started a consulting company called Creative Expansion. "I was very motivated by my craft and my art, but I had also learnt that running a business properly was part of being successful. I made it my business to find and learn effective business practices and technology that worked. I’m pleased to say I helped some great people implement business practices into their Operation, so they could concentrate on their creative endeavours, with a sense of certainty and predication".
Apart from Australia, he also traveled to South Africa and held Seminars to 100's of salon owners.
He started a consulting company called Creative Expansion. "I was very motivated by my craft and my art, but I had also learnt that running a business properly was part of being successful. I made it my business to find and learn effective business practices and technology that worked. I’m pleased to say I helped some great people implement business practices into their Operation, so they could concentrate on their creative endeavours, with a sense of certainty and predication".
Apart from Australia, he also traveled to South Africa and held Seminars to 100's of salon owners.
"I would not hesitate to recommend Hilton Bell to anybody requesting his services; he is a man of great vision and knowledge and is very inspirational to work with."
- Joe Giampa Rok Hair Studio Melbourne, Australia |
"Working with Hilton has brought about a major turnaround in my business. I have done the best figures ever in my five years in business. Also my enthusiasm to excel and achieve has sky rocketed."
- Emme Messina Radiance Skin & Beauty Melbourne, Australia |
"I would recommend Hilton Bell's services to anyone who would like to be in total control of their business."
- Enzo Schilero Evolve Hairstudios Sydney, Australia |
In the late 90’s Hilton decided to move to the USA in pursuit of new challenges. After receiving offers to go to New York and LA, he decided on Florida. He had been traveling to different parts of the States for a number of years before he moved, so he knew the Florida climate and the more relaxed atmosphere appealed to him.
You know it’s sort of interesting to me, many people believe you need to be where all the action is, like London, New York, Milan, Tokyo, Melbourne or wherever ”IT”S” happening. My experience from traveling the world somewhat, is it happens wherever you make it happen. While it may have some definite advantages being right in the middle of the action, it really depends on what your own reasons and objectives are, along with the price you're willing to pay for that advantage. To use an old saying - “It doesn’t matter where you go, there you are” and from that viewpoint, what you do, the people you connect with and create with is the important thing." |
Hilton opened another successful salon and his work was once again sought after by discerning clients. It was during this time that he came across a revolutionary product out of England called Organic Color Systems.
Having found such a breakthrough product I knew I had to bring this to the hairdressing profession.
I really believe it’s important to have a constant pursuit for a better way of doing things as well as being open to new ideas. This is what has kept me in this profession for so long.”
Because Hilton had spent so much time researching color back in the mid-80s culminating in developing a very effective breakthrough consultation method it was a natural progression.
With the 100s of hours I had spent researching color and to come across a product that was actually about integrity and getting away from harmful chemicals, it was an obvious marriage.”
He created the company "International Hair and Beauty Systems LLC". Hilton was off on a new mission. Delivering better products and technology to professional hairdressers in the USA (or anywhere), so they could create better results with a higher sense of integrity for their work, the canvas they work on, their client’s hair, was the mission.
Hilton had been doing seminars to hairdressers in Florida with rave results.
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“I actually re-learned how to color hair period! I loved Hiltons straight up approach! It was to the point and it all made sense. I would recommend his class to anyone.”
- Sarah Griffiths "Hilton did a great job explaining the foundation of the color wheel & the mixing of colors to create harmony in hair color, it was a real eye opener. I learned a lot of new techniques and I feel it was well worth it! And I know our clients will see better results with their hair."
- Korrin Therberg |
“Hilton helped me open my eyes up to a new way to look at color. This is one of the few classes that I have been to that has fully kept my attention.”
- Joshua Carter "A great informative class. So worth the quick fly from Erie. His color education and chemical knowledge was wonderful, I will definitely be back."
- Judith Meyn |
"I find Hilton Bell to be a superior instructor who freely shares his wealth of technical and creative knowledge. The technical information was beyond the usual range. He went into chemical, artistic and physical depth I have been looking for to create the backing and foundation I need."
- Marilyn Barrett “After many years in the industry I have a new outlook on my career. It is very exciting to feel a fresh new approach to color & Hairdressing.”
- Barbara Fritze |
I believe we all have a responsibility to share gained knowledge with our peers.
I have, through in depth research, uncovered some very interesting information to do with color. Sharing this with other hairdressers, to help them be better artists and become more competent is not only important but my sense of duty to my profession." - Hilton Bell
Career Highlights
Won Wella High fashion Design awards
Nominated 3 time Australian Hairdresser of the Year
Trained Newcomer of the year (Australian Hairdressing awards)
Trained Apprentice of the year
Appeared in Australia's Top Hairdressers Book
Developed L'oreal's true colors system
Served as a board member HBIA in Australia (Hairdressing & Beauty Industry Association)
Owner of International Hair & Beauty Systems acting as President & Creative Director
Hair Color Education Director & Presenter for International Hair & Beauty Systems
Met some wonderfully creative people and loyal clients!
Won Wella High fashion Design awards
Nominated 3 time Australian Hairdresser of the Year
Trained Newcomer of the year (Australian Hairdressing awards)
Trained Apprentice of the year
Appeared in Australia's Top Hairdressers Book
Developed L'oreal's true colors system
Served as a board member HBIA in Australia (Hairdressing & Beauty Industry Association)
Owner of International Hair & Beauty Systems acting as President & Creative Director
Hair Color Education Director & Presenter for International Hair & Beauty Systems
Met some wonderfully creative people and loyal clients!