INTERVIEW: Concept Hair’s Apprentice of the Month – August

apprentice of the month

We had a chat with Zac Gabrel, Concept Hair’s newest Apprentice of the Month!

The Concept Hair Hairdressing & Barbering Apprentice of the Month award celebrates students and apprentices who are passionate about the future of the hairdressing & barbering industry, going above and beyond in their apprenticeships to set the standards of the industry.

concept hair apprentice of the month zac gabrel
Zac Gabrel

Concept Hair has launched the award to recognise the efforts that students and apprentices have put into learning the trade.

Zac was nominated by his employer and was chosen as Apprentice of the Month by our judge Let Lew after a week of voting and testimonials on Instagram and Facebook.

Client error: `GET https://graph.facebook.com/v10.0/instagram_oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FB1_TlrYgjFT%2F&access_token=EAAG5hzKyxakBAHrS02JfRBsP0FxM2HTJB4DgCAS1ZBTEFfMmZB5XnGZAmuZCPYYI5QMXuJtwZBw2mxibepLfBpiBono4mKWWAw1L2NpjcMdSlpu2KqzlsA7pPuNPVj9U7ZBwxZAxrVPswZAOCv2NrLgHbxTjtiCPrP9KtgC48tZBiiDi8Cwq9oLkfJ4v74Cs52FPI28nJsLrjOpOorig3Oa4g3DkxF3i0SIgxL2PkPqIGA4z9JhDssrOXGZB4rHoUcox4ZD` resulted in a `400 Bad Request` response: {"error":{"message":"Error validating access token: The session has been invalidated because the user changed their pass (truncated…)

Let said: “I’ve got so much respect for his hard work and his passion for hairdressing is really shown in his work.”⁠

The award was sponsored by Akito Scissors, who sent Zac an amazing bundle worth around £300.

Our runners-up were Joe Taylor from Edward & Co and Jacqueline McDonagh from Taylor’s Hair Studio.

Zac, 21, was nominated for the following reason: “Zac was previously training as a plumber but wanted a creative career and joined Hairdressing at Zoology.

Client error: `GET https://graph.facebook.com/v10.0/instagram_oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FB2WK_IBAbfx%2F&access_token=EAAG5hzKyxakBAHrS02JfRBsP0FxM2HTJB4DgCAS1ZBTEFfMmZB5XnGZAmuZCPYYI5QMXuJtwZBw2mxibepLfBpiBono4mKWWAw1L2NpjcMdSlpu2KqzlsA7pPuNPVj9U7ZBwxZAxrVPswZAOCv2NrLgHbxTjtiCPrP9KtgC48tZBiiDi8Cwq9oLkfJ4v74Cs52FPI28nJsLrjOpOorig3Oa4g3DkxF3i0SIgxL2PkPqIGA4z9JhDssrOXGZB4rHoUcox4ZD` resulted in a `400 Bad Request` response: {"error":{"message":"Error validating access token: The session has been invalidated because the user changed their pass (truncated…)

“Zac has a brilliant personality and always manages to get along with everyone he works with. He is the first to volunteer for any extracurricular activity both within his salon and via Central Hair.

“Zac recently took part in the UK launch of the RevAir hairdryer and did an amazing job shampooing hair and introducing influencers and press to the benefits of the RevAir dryer. His enthusiasm and passion for hairdressing shines through in absolutely every task he is given.”

Concept Hair: Congratulations Zac! How does it feel to be the Concept Hair Apprentice of the Month?

Zac Gabrel: It feels amazing to have some great feedback from fellow stylists and it’s definitely something to be proud of.

concept hair apprentice of the month zac gabrel

CH: How long have you been in the hair industry?

ZG: Just over two years

CH: Have you always worked at Zoology?

ZG: Zoology is my first job in the hair industry and I’ve been training at Central Hairdressing for two years now.

CH: What made you want to get into the industry?

ZG: My dad introduced me to hairdressing and I developed a passion for it working with Zoology.

concept hair apprentice of the month zac gabrel

CH: What do you love most about it?

ZG: I enjoy the rewarding feeling of making my clients feel good about themselves and helping to grow their confidence with looks and styles they may not have tried before.

CH: What is your day-to-day role?

ZG: I’m currently a junior stylist (soon to be stylist). My day to day activities include supporting the salon and assisting with clients.

CH: What would you like to achieve in your career?

ZG: Everything! I want to do as much as I possibly can, I want to compete in as many competitions as I can and work with as many of my role models as possible.

concept hair apprentice of the month zac gabrel

CH: What inspires you the most?

ZG: Seeing other stylists work and what they can achieve. Seeing top stylists in the industry and their work.

CH: What’s your favourite social media platform?

ZG: Instagram.

concept hair apprentice of the month zac gabrel

CH: What’s your favourite hairstyle?

ZG: I like creative hairstyles that push the boundaries.

CH: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your apprenticeship?

ZG: Don’t try and impress everyone else, impress yourself.