Name: James Todd
Profession: Stylist / Creative Director
Company: Gene Juarez Salon and Spa
How did you get started working in this industry?
As a queer kid growing up in north Seattle in the 70’s; celebrity and disco music were an outlet for the banal life of the suburbs and gave me hope that there would be something glamourous waiting for me when I made it out! I’ve always been captivated by the transformative power of Beauty, Fashion, and Trend so as a teen I realized I had a knack for seeing potential in people’s beauty, experimenting with looks on my peers helping them articulate it outwardly.
And with huge thanks to the influence of new wave music, hair became a medium to explore how identity and self-expression intersect. At this time one of my high school friends introduced me to her mother, a beautiful glamourous hairdresser, and she pushed me to pursue cosmetology school. Beauty school was the formal start, but the seeds were planted years earlier in a child’s creative daydreaming mind! .
What evolution within your work have you seen that makes you excited to see more?
Every decade has its own point of view on beauty. What I love is the building upon the past while reaching towards the future. Constant exploration with new technology, new techniques, and new ideas surrounding beauty standards.
What role has the LGBTQ+ community had on your work?
Queer artists in the face of hatred, bigotry and brutality continue to bring fantasy, joy, and exploration around beauty to the forefront. LGBTQ+ communities still wrestle with these notions in our own spaces as well… this is the work. The ongoing exploration of identity, pride, and freedom. It is a privilege to contribute to a legacy of creativity and self-expression that has shaped the industry and by extension how we see the world.
What advice do you have for our community to utilize what you do, even more. Think of your stylist as a collaborator in your journey of self-expression. The more we understand your story—your lifestyle, aspirations, and how you see yourself—the better we can craft a look that aligns with your identity.
Who or what inspires you?
Visionaries in art, fashion, and design who change the world in pursuit of beauty inspire me. I’m also inspired by people who own their uniqueness, whether it’s a client walking in with an unconventional idea or cultural icons who redefine beauty norms.
When it comes to the entire beauty/fashion/etc. industry, where would you advise someone to start who has never really focused on it before for themselves?
Begin with observation. Take time to understand what resonates with you—what colors, shapes, or styles make you feel confident and authentic? The beauty and fashion industries often promote unreachable esthetic standards. Experimentation and fearlessness beat back the beast of conformity, the unattainable and the ordinary.
What is a must-do or a must-have that you think everyone should do/have?
A must-do is committing to hair health—regular trims, hydration, and minimal damage. Beauty thrives on a foundation of care.
Most paramount is the relationship with your stylist. I have been taking care of many of my salon guests for over 30 years. I am by their side on the best and worst days of their lives. And that relationship, knowledge, and trust is invaluable.
Do you have any simple steps or things that you can recommend for people to do that they can implement into their routines?
Do not wait until you NEED a service to book your service! When you leave your last appointment with your stylist or barber or any beauty professional; book the next few! Also come armed with images that reveal what you think is beautiful for YOU.
And I must say this not washing your hair trend is a mistake. Your scalp is skin, and it is the warmest place on the body.
We wash ALL our parts, and a clean healthy scalp makes better hair!
What is your biggest mistake (beauty/fashion-wise), and how did you learn from it?
In my youth, I spent a lot of time trying to look cool. I did not really understand my own aesthetic. Once I realized I was never going to look like Lenny Kravitz; it was time to move on. A style awakening in my late 30s took place when I clearly saw icons like Cary Grant or Tom Ford, spoke more to my taste. I began borrowing from their style and subsequently I stopped trying so hard, found my uniform… and fortunately stopped looking so silly.
