The Art of Hair:
A Conversation with Lea Muses
Where Fashion Meets Fine Art
You have such a unique approach to hair artistry.
Tell us about your beginnings.
"I grew up in my mother's salon in Harvard Square, constantly flipping through Vogue magazines and dreaming of the fashion world. At home, my father and grandmother were painters, so art was always part of my life. That creative environment really shaped me."
Your creative journey started quite early in the music industry, didn't it? "Yes! My first real taste of the advertising world was during an internship at DefJam Records, working under Cey Adams on hip hop album covers. That experience was incredible – it taught me how to blend cultural elements with commercial appeal, something that still influences my work today."
How did your formal education influence your career path? "I studied art and photography at UMass Amherst, then moved to New York to study Advertising Design and Art Direction at FIT. Working with different materials – clay, fabric, paint – gave me this innate understanding of texture and form that I now apply to hair. It's all connected."
Your fashion week credentials are impressive. What's that world like? "It's been incredible working alongside legends like Holli Smith at Balenciaga in Paris, Gary Gill for Acne Studios in London, and assisting Guido for Versace and Dolce & Gabbana in Milan. Each experience taught me something new about pushing creative boundaries."
You've worked with major brands like Apple, Nike, and Tommy Hilfiger. How do you approach commercial work? "Commercial work is about creating narratives. Whether it's a campaign for Intimissimi, presenting at the ADE Advertising Awards, or working on projects for UBER and ING Bank's Tomorrowland campaign – it's all about telling a story through visual elements."
Tell us about your salon work. "At Curl Spa Salon in Amsterdam and The Hague, I specialize in dry-cutting techniques for curly, wavy, and kinky hair textures. My training at House of Orange under Siko Van Berkel and at Devachan in New York really shaped my approach. Being a former Wilhelmina model in New York also helps me understand both sides of the camera."
Your heritage seems to play a role in your work... "Absolutely. My Irish and Dutch Caribbean background gives me a unique perspective on beauty. It influences how I see texture, movement, and individual beauty in each client."
What's your secret to success in such a competitive industry? [Laughing warmly] "Stay humble and keep laughing, while keeping your eyes open to the world and its ironic moments or coincidences. That's where the magic happens."
What's next for Lea Muses? "I'm continuing to balance my salon work with international projects. Making people feel beautiful is still the greatest gift of this job. Whether it's a client in my salon or a model at fashion week, that feeling never gets old."
Between editorial shoots for Harper's Bazaar and Mirror Mirror Magazine, commercial campaigns, and running her salons, Lea Muses continues to blend high fashion with fine art, creating her own unique space in the beauty industry. From her early days at DefJam Records to the runways of Paris and Milan, her journey shows how diverse experiences can shape a unique creative vision. Her story proves that with the right mix of talent, training, and tenacity, childhood dreams really do come true.
