Holli Smith

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Holli Smith, a trailblazer in the world of hairstyling, leverages her craft to navigate and challenge the norms of gender politics and queer identity with an artistic flair that’s resonated with top-tier brands like Balenciaga and Calvin Klein. Hailing from Ada, Oklahoma, and raised in Salinas, California, Smith embarked on her hairstyling journey in 1992, immediately after high school, by enrolling at Wayne’s College of Beauty in Santa Cruz. Her dedication and skill soon led her from an internship with Yoshitoya in Palo Alto to working alongside the legendary Guido Palau, who recognized her talent two years after she planted roots in New York City in 2000.

Smith’s distinctive style is heavily influenced by the aesthetics of early 2000s rave culture and her deep connections within the LGBTQ+ community. She views hair as a powerful conduit for expression and political dialogue, a perspective she eloquently shared in an interview with Models.com, highlighting hair’s unique ability to challenge and redefine societal norms surrounding identity and gender.

Her portfolio showcases an impressive array of collaborations with fashion powerhouses including Balenciaga, Acne Studios, Opening Ceremony, Kenzo, Calvin Klein, Lanvin, and Proenza Schouler. Smith’s visionary work has also adorned the covers and pages of i-D magazine, often in partnership with photographer Collier Schorr, and she contributes her expertise as a beauty editor for Dazed magazine.

In a profession where gender dynamics are often skewed, Holli Smith stands out not just for her remarkable talent but for her commitment to using her platform to advocate for change, making her a venerated figure in the hairstyling world and beyond.