Andrea Atwood, the owner of Do or Dye Hair Salon in Watseka, is making her mark at New York Fashion Week, leading a team of 25 stylists in the prestigious event. This marks Atwood’s third trip to the fashion week, but it is her first time leading a team.
Atwood, who had previously worked under other stylists during her past two visits, now takes on the role of a lead stylist. “This is my third trip,” Atwood explained. “Last September was my first season. I flew in as a stylist working underneath somebody else. I returned in February, also as a stylist. This time, I’m a lead with a team of 25 stylists from across the country.”
Atwood’s team includes all the stylists from her salon, with Faith Hann and Mena DeLeon joining her in New York City. The team will work backstage, collaborating with hair, nail, and makeup teams to style models according to the designers’ specifications. “We all work together,” Atwood said. “We have a call time about four hours before the show, and all three teams need to have everything done within that time frame.”
This season is particularly special for Atwood as she had the opportunity to personally select her team of 25 stylists. “Some of them I met in New York and reached out to them, while others I found through social media, especially focusing on local stylists in Central Illinois,” she said. “I considered their artistic ability, personality, and social media presence. We have stylists from Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Oregon, Connecticut, and other states.”
The excitement within the team is palpable. “We’ve been doing monthly Zoom meetings, and everyone is eager to meet in person and share ideas,” Atwood said.
As the lead, Atwood’s role involves more than just styling. “I’m responsible for teaching the looks that our team needs to execute backstage. Instead of working one-on-one with models, I’ll be mentoring 25 aspiring stylists, guiding them through the process,” she explained. “I’ll need to approve each look before the models head backstage to get ready.”
This season, Atwood will also work closely with the designer, who submits the styling looks only after the teams arrive in New York. “I’m doing hair couture this season. I’ll be styling a model by myself and even walking the runway with her. This is a new experience for me, and I’m very excited,” she added.
A photographer and videographer from Carmel, Indiana, will document the event, while the Australian company bhave serves as the product sponsor.
The stylists must be ready to work at any time, depending on the show’s schedule. “In our world, you run on adrenaline. The thrill comes from not knowing what to expect and being ready when it’s showtime,” Atwood said.
The team will begin preparations on Tuesday, with shows scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Atwood recently celebrated 10 years with Do or Dye Salon. Hann, who hails from Donovan, and DeLeon, from Watseka, are key members of her team. “2024 marks 10 years of business for me, and I knew I wanted to take Do or Dye in a new direction,” Atwood reflected. “We’re expanding our knowledge and education, making our clients feel more pampered than ever before.” The Do or Dye team is also committed to ongoing education, traveling across the country to enhance their skills. Additionally, the salon has introduced a new luxury product line and partnered with Sugar Creek Trading Company to offer special items for clients.
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