Meet Lacy Redway, a known and reputable New York-based celebrity hairstylist. After studying at The Aveda Institute in Manhattan, her career quickly took off. A combination of Lacy’s proficiency with all hair textures as well as her magnetic personality has earned her an esteemed roster of clients including: Tessa Thompson, Laura Harrier, Priyanka Chopra, Anne Hathaway, Karlie Kloss, Sarah Paulson, Elizabeth Olsen, FKA Twigs, Gabrielle Union, Uzo Aduba, Joan Smalls, Zazzie Beetz and Diane Kruger, among many others. Lacy has collaborated with respected photographers like Rankin, Gavin Bond, Alexander Neumann, Warwick Saint, Ben Hassett, Michael Schwartz, Alexei Hay, Micaela Rossato, and Erik Madigan Heck. Her work has appeared in Allure, ELLE, Glamour, Teen Vogue, V Magazine, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Vogue Italia.
We spoke with Redway about her career and hair journeys, working with celebrity clients and advice for the millennial woman.
Share your career journey. What led you down the path of becoming a known celebrity hairstylist?
I was always the girl in school that knew how to do hair but I never realized it could be my career because I was only exposed to the salon world. I always wanted to work in fashion but never knew hair could take me there. When I was finally exposed to hair outside of the salon my entire world changed and then I realize this was what I was supposed to be doing and pursue it as a career. Up until the point where I was at a crossroads when leaping into motherhood. I was pursuing a fashion career that was not very lucrative at the time. I was transitioning from being a fashion editorial hairstylist into a celebrity hairstylist while trying to navigate motherhood and ways it may impact my career. My journey to motherhood was a great one because it forced me to really work smarter not harder. Transitioning into doing celebrity hairstyling for me at the time meant that I would have a little more time to spend at home. Today that is not the case because I’m in such high demand.
Talk to us about your hair journey. When did you fall in your love with your hair?
I still struggle with my hair journey as I don’t feel there are enough products on the market that can truly speak to type 4 curls. I’ve learned to appreciate my hair and also using products that can truly assist to create any type I want with my coils and my hair. I will say this current hair journey I am on in my 30’s is a lot more Confident than she was more than 10 year ago. Hair is a continual journey while trying to find the right products but it’s an exciting one.
You’ve worked with the hottest celebrities in Hollywood and beyond such as Lupita Nyong'o, Tessa Thompson, and more! Share with us about your favorite part of the job.
My favorite part of the job is collaborating with my clients. I love it when I can see their personalities peek through in the hairstyles we create together. I think that’s part of why they enjoy working with me.
What’s one piece of advice for a millennial woman struggling with owning their truest selves while embracing their hair?
There was no mistake when you were created. Take it easy on yourself and one step at a time. Not all of us are the big chop girls. It’s okay to tailor your hair journey to you. No one’s journey will exactly mirror your own.
