Iles Formula Hair Talk With Larry Raspanti of Whittemore House NYC.

Iles Formula  is pleased to introduce Larry Raspanti from Whittemore House Salon in NYC. Perhaps you read our Hair Talk segment a few weeks ago when we introduced  Larry's business  partner Victoria Hunter.

The former color directors of Bumble & Bumble opened Whittemore House in the West Village of New York and now have a much “on demand’ salon with a team of 12. Famous for their innovative cutting and color work, and founders of Whittemore House Hair Paint.

Today Larry and Victoria juggle salon work and global trips teaching what their Hair Paint delivers .

Together they created their modern signature technique of hair painting, a step above and beyond balayage. Their hair paint is benchmark, lifting up to 7 shades without compromising hair condition.

Read more on what Larry has to say on hairdressing today.

IF:   Tell us what you think is the biggest challenge in hairdressing today?

LR:  I can’t answer for everyone else, but for me it is that I am unable to focus on just the creative act of doing hair. We, as hairdressers, now need to act as photographers/creative directors/ photo editors/ marketing and social media experts, which can be difficult to balance with the personal and social aspects of our lives. These added responsibilities take away from the pure creativity behind the chair.

Photo of Larry demonstrating Hair Paint Techniques to students .....for more info on education  tap Hair Paint

 IF:   What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

LR:  Through my work, I get to meet so many great people, and some have become my family and long-time friends. I am fortunate to enjoy my work and make people happy.

IF:  Why did you choose the path of hairdressing and was it easy to fall into this work?

LR:  I believe hairdressing chose me and I am very grateful to my hair angels for doing so.

IF:  If you had not made the decision to be a hairdresser what would you have been?

LR:  To be completely honest, i’m not sure. I was very young when I started dabbling in hair. It would be easy for me to make up something cool now that I’m older and have experience and hindsight, but I am very lucky and happy I became a hairdresser.

IF:  What is your greatest strength?

LR:  Visualizing the head of hair and simplifying my approach by creating new Hair Painting Patterns and techniques to achieve the best results.

IF:  Your favorite hairdressing tools?

LR:  Whittemore House HAIR PAINT - lightening powder. It’s application versatility allows for creative painting and tweaking on both existing/new cuts and color.

IF:  Tell us about your relationship with Iles Formula. How you discovered us and which formula is your favorite?

LR:  My relationship with Iles Formula is fairly new and off to a good start. My clients and staff are becoming very fond of the entire line.

IF:  What was the most challenging job you ever made?

LR:  The most challenging job is connecting with the person in my chair ; once that happens the job at hand becomes effortless.

IF:  What was your worst hair moment and why....Privately or on set/stage or in the salon?

LR:  We all experience challenges in our work. While I cannot pinpoint a specific moment, I can say that our worst hair moments elevate and push us to greater creativity. My best work most often comes from the worst and most challenging moments.

IF:  If you could style anyone’s hair, who would it be and why?

LR:  My grandmother, Lola. I started in hair just after she passed. She would have loved and appreciated getting her hair done by me more than anyone else I can think of.

IF:  Where do you pull hair inspiration from?

LR:  From my everyday visual experiences. I am inspired by limitless scapes, genres, and situations, and always evolving.

IF:  Your advice to young hairdressers starting out?

LR:  Education , Education , Education.

To see more of Larry's work visit instagram @whittemorehousesalon

For more information on  education classes  Hair Paint