John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) Artistic Director and award-winning global hair cutting educator Stephen Moody is one of the world’s foremost educators of professional hairdressers, sharing his knowledge throughout the globe. Hailing from a family of hairdressers, he is a 31-plus-year veteran of the Sassoon Salon and Academy organization. Stephen launched and successfully developed Sassoon Academies in Santa Monica, San Francisco, Miami, Toronto, Chicago, London, and Shanghai. During his tenure, he worked on curricula, capability building, product development, stage craft, TV commercials, print shoots, hair shows, seminars, and Vidal Sassoon Academy classes.
He is also a global Project Artistic Member for Mizutani scissors.
Stephen was awarded Intercoiffure’s prestigious Hair Cutting Icon Award in NYC and Intercoiffure Mondial’s Knight Award in Paris, France, in recognition of his contributions to hair education. In 2021, he became a North American Hairstylist Awards (NAHA) Educator of the Year finalist and Haircutter of the Year winner. He repeated as Haircutter of the Year again in 2024.
With the advent of COVID-19, Stephen pivoted by developing and sharing 200+ hands-on seminars via the virtual platform across multiple countries.
Working with the JPMS team, Stephen has recently spearheaded the development of the new Paul Mitchell Pro Haircutting certification program, to launch in 2025.
A haircutter and career educator, Stephen says, “At JPMS. I am in a place where I can continue to help hairdressers carry on this wonderful journey of making our craft a better place.”
A native of Great Britain, Stephen lives in Malibu, California.
This interview by Winn Claybaugh became a 25-year reunion between Stephen and Winn, since their last podcast interview in 1999. Since then, Stephen has had an amazing global career with several well-known professional hair care brands, including Vidal Sassoon, Wella, and currently Paul Mitchell. Filled with wonderful storytelling, this interview is pure magic as Stephen discusses the importance of education and his commitment to staying relevant to a younger audience of new beauty industry professionals.
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairmoody