6th December 2023
If colour is your thing then the name Jayson Gray aka KARBON KYD® will be well known to you. An industry legend, Jayson has had a stellar career working for some of the industries leading salon groups and latterly as an independent eduction specialist working with Wella as one of their lead colour ambassadors.
But it’s all change now, so what is Jayson going to do next?
I caught up with the man himself and asked a few questions, but before we get to that here’s some bio details:
KARBON KYD® is an EDUCATIONAL BRAND, that Serves up BESPOKE EDUCATION across the Globe.
JAYSON GRAY brings 33 years of Industry experience to the table. A former INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR for SUPER BRAND TONI & GUY, where Jayson spent 25 years – a period – which he describes as “TRULY FABULOUS”!
Jayson has had an illustrious career in the the HAIRDRESSING INDUSTRY with a ‘credible’ back catalogue of HAIR DRESSING CAMPAIGNS, ADVERTISING & STEP BY STEP TUTORIALS to his name:
JAYSON is a regular on the HAIRDRESSING CIRCUIT: And travels on a GLOBAL SCALE – as a PLATFORM ARTIST showcasing his latest work and collaborations for his own brand KARBON KYD® where he is the FOUNDER & PRINCIPLE CREATIVE.
Exciting times are ahead for Jayson as he has recently been appointed UK Colour Visionary Artist for Keune. Here’s the official word on this amazing new role:
Keune, the historic professional hair brand which is 100% loyal to the professional hairdresser and specialises in high-quality and salon exclusive products, has unveiled Jayson Gray as its new UK Colour Visionary Artist.
Gray, the multi award-winning colourist and principal creative of bespoke educational brand KARBON KYD®, has more than 35 years of experience and has developed a global reputation for his artistic prowess and innovative creative skills.
The appointment of the London-based colourist will further Keune’s education programme and Jayson will utilise his experience and skills to help showcase the brand’s values through colour. In addition, Jayson will also lead the education on masterclasses, creative training, and will develop content for customer events, exhibitions and press days.
With this fabulous announcement I felt it would be an ideal opportunity to pose a few questions to one of the leading colour technical experts who push the boundaries of colour, not only here in the UK, but across the globe.
Q1: When did you start hairdressing and did you always want to be a colour technician?
I started HAIRDRESSING in 1989..After a “Swift Change of Mind”.. I had always imagined, I’d train as a chef or baker from a young age, and had got into Catering College… Robert Carrier the (then) famous chef was an icon of mine: and I wanted so-much to be “just like him”….
I was equally aware of—and strangely drawn to a salon In Sloane Square-Chelsea… from the age of ‘FOURTEEN or FIFTEEN’… I was obsessed by the images displayed in the salon windows.. kind of “haunted by them”??? I just never knew why?
Roll on to 1989, and I found myself attending interviews at perspective salon groups and settled for a role at the then huge franchise ROBERT FIELDING HAIRDRESSING!
At ‘sweet Sixteen’ I threw myself into my apprentice role… and was loving it, Except I felt a part of the plan was missing…”The chef part-maybe?” After Trying a couple more salon brands, And winning a couple of Awards… I decided I wanted to “be like” those hairdressers on THE CLOTHES SHOW..my favourite weekend show of the early 1990s….
One of those hairdressers was ANTHONY MASCOLO and his team… The brand was TONI & GUY….So I applied, I got in, I got placed, only in the SALON in SLOANE SQUARE, the one with the images in the window!!! My dream was becoming real: The missing Parts were aligning…
This is where the COLOUR ADVENTURE BEGAN! This is were I forged my path and dedicated my life to COLOUR….
I acted quickly and choose to “VARDER IN COLOUR”…I was nineteen years old, and was FAST TRACKED to work on the floor, due to my earlier ‘wins’ and awards. VOILA! I worked hard and worked my way up to INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR…. The BEST part of that journey was “finally, the images in the windows are images I helped create”.
Q2: How long have you be involved with education?
I have-had and engaging relationship with EDUCATION Since early 1992, when I went to work for TONI & GUY….right from DAY UNO…I attended and participated in all areas of learning…. and I’ve never stopped being involved; I LOVE IT!
Q3: What do you like most about delivering training?
I love EDUCATIONAL VALUES and the VALUES you can deliver to the masses, By simply sharing your wealth of knowledge! I love the engagement of TEACHER TO STUDENT and vice versa. IMMERSIVE EDUCATION is my favourite.
Q4: Where do you get your colour inspirations from?
I’m like a MAGPIE, when it comes to seeking out “rich pickings”; for my inspirations. I tend to sit in cafe’s and let my mind wander into film, theatre and fashion houses; this is where it starts to form.. mainly from film and fashion.
Q5: You have recently moved to Keune after a long relationship with Wella, what made you decide to move on?
Joining KEUNE after a 20 year Partnership with WELLA, was my decision as I felt like a change of direction and wanted to “tap into other skills” that I had not utilised much since I left TONI & GUY, in 2015. KEUNE listened to my thoughts and came back at me with a “unique role” and at the perfect time! I also think brands like KEUNE, are “kicking up a storm” right now; And I want to KICK TOO in my COLOURFUL WAY..(maybe in clogs?)
Q6: What will your new role consist of?
The job title is: UK COLOUR VISIONARY ARTIST, and as the name ‘suggests’, it will embody Colour and Vision, which will cross over to creating new content and theory for any form of MASTERCLASS, TREND PREDICTION & SHOOTS, As well as delivering CLASSIC FUNDAMENTALS in a new light…(to start with). This is a very exciting time to join the KEUNE FAMILY.
Q7: What are you most looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to working with the brand and especially in this role, as it touches on, so many aspects of hair that I love and have had vast experience in.
Q8: If push came to shove what would be your all time favourite image that you have created, and why?
My all time favourite image I’ve ever created??—Mmm A hard one to answer…But I’ll say THE ATARI….as its the first shoot I did to work alongside my brand: and has got me a lot of press!
Q9: Can you tell us your top 3 trend predictions for 2024
My Top Three TREND PREDICTIONS for 2024 are:
*INTERLOCKING-COLOUR BLOCKING “A Trend and well-welcomed return of BOLD COLOUR PLACEMENT!
Statement 90’s hair is back. No nonsense Colour choices in bold reflects, that sit parallel to each other, and bring a haircut to life.”
*COLOUR DRENCHED TONALITY “Saturation of pure Colour And Tone that add a SUPER HYDRATION & VIBRANCY to any length of Hair or cut, thus adding dimension for maximum effect.”
*BUTTERMILK BLONDES “Everyone loves a rich-expensive and well crafted blonde-blend technique. his will be used as a shift from current Balayage techniques.”
So there you have it, the next step in an incredible career, I will watch with interest to see how Jayson and Keune develop their working relationship. One this is for sure, it’s going to be very, very colourful!