The Fashion Time Magazine

David Babaii, you know him as the “King of Curl,” the man who’s worked his styling magic on such celebrities as “Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Gwyneth Paltrow,” earning him the title, “the Hairstylist to the Stars.”

Babaii, who “would sit for hours watching his mother cut hair while growing up,” attributes his great success as a celebrity hairstylist to dedication, hard work, and “connecting with his clients.” Babaii is so connected with his celebrity clients, when he is cutting their hair, he enters what has been referred to as the “Cutting Zone,” a styling Nirvana, where the outside world simply fades away for him.

Fun David Babai Fact: He first met Angelina Jolie, when he literally ran into her, while running up the stairs during a photoshoot he was working on.

Together, he has teamed up with actress Kate Hudson and Wildaid to unleash an environmentally safe hairstyling product and promotion of Wildlife Conservation.

Fun David Babaii Fact: David grew to love animals at an early age, when his mother placed pets in his sister and his cribs.

“WildAid (www.wildaid.org) is a non-profit organization that works with governments and communities of the world to reverse the devastation of our planet’s wildlife.”

Fun David Babaii Fact: Rather than use animals to test the ingredients in the David Babaii For WildAid Haircare line, Kate Hudson served as the subject. Hudson, who was Babaii’s first celebrity client and longtime friend, passed with flying colors.

We thank David for taking time off from his busy schedule to participate in our interview, and for more information, please visit David Babaii For Wildaid.

Fashion Time: David, you’ve stated that your mother is your “lifelong muse and mentor.” How so?

David Babaii: My mom Hilda is a hairdresser so I grew up watching her do hair. She would often take me to the salon with her when I was young. She was a legend in the hair industry during the 70’s so I grew up with this profession in my life. Her work was just so beautiful and I was always so proud of her.

Fashion Time: You attended the Vidal Sassoon academies in London and LA, and actually know the guru himself, Vidal Sassoon. Tell us about it?

David Babaii: Yes, I did attend both schools and received a great education.

Fashion Time: You just returned from the Toronto Film festival. Whose hair did you have a chance to style there?

David Babaii: Kate and I launched David Babaii for WildAid during the Toronto Film Festival so we were very busy hosting a party for editors plus Sir Richard Branson presented Kate with a check for $100,000 for WildAid. So Kate was the only person whose hair I styled.

Fashion Time: You’ve worked with many celebrities and models, but seem to have formed a special bond with Kate Hudson. How did Kate and you meet, and why has it worked out so well?

David Babaii: Kate and I met 7 yrs ago on a photo shoot. At the time, I knew Brad Cafarelli her publicist and he recommended Kate to use me for the shoot. From that day on, we became the best of friends. Kate is the friend you’ve always wanted. She is so free spirited, just loving life and fun. We also have a mutual love for animals and the environment.

Fashion Time: David, why have you associated yourself with Wildaid? What is it about the organization that appeals to you? And can you tell us about its mission?

David Babaii: Through research and my friendships with Angelina Jolie and Eric Steinhauser, I learned about WildAid and their devotion to preserving wildlife and stopping their illegal trade. Eric is one of our original partners who introduced us to WildAid while Angelina was a vital force in educating me.

WildAid’s mission is to end the wildlife trade within our lifetimes. To achieve this WildAid uniquely focuses on raising awareness to reduce the demand for threatened and endangered species products and to increase public support for wildlife conservation. WildAid is a non-profit 501(c )3 organization headquartered in San Francisco with representation in China, India, Galapagos, London and New York. We are also revolutionary in our funding - sending 100% of online donations directly to programs. We are funded by foundations and individuals.

Interpol estimates the illegal wildlife trade to be worth US $10-20 billion a year. Did you also know that globally, black rhino populations fell from over 60,000 in 1970 to 2,500 in 1990 as poachers targeted their horns for profits abroad? These are devastating numbers and I needed to change this. By donating 10% of the sales it allows everyone to feel like they are doing something good when they purchase the products. That is why our slogan is, “It’s beautiful to be good”.

Fashion Time: There are a multitude of hairstyling/hair care products. Why do David Babaii for Wildaid products stand out from the rest of the field, and say, “Purchase us?”

David Babaii: Our statement is, “It’s beautiful to be good” because now, you can do something great for your hair and for our planet’s endangered wildlife. 10% of the profits will go to the WildAid organization to help preserve endangered wildlife. The entire line was inspired by the remarkable beauty in nature, utilizing exclusive blends of exotic natural ingredients free of sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals and free of all animal products. Most important of all FREE from all animal testing!

Kate Hudson and David Babaii at the launch party for their new hair care line “David Babaii for WildAid” (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

Fashion Time: We’ve read that you don’t do hair coloring. Can this possibly be true?
And we must ask, why not?

David Babaii: Yes, this is true! I just love cutting and styling. This is where my passion rests for now.

Fashion Time: The Top Five Celebs with the best hair are?

David Babaii: I truly feel that they all have great hair. They all go to top stylists and spend a lot of money on their hair.

Fashion Time: David, we want to give you a hypothetical situation. You’re assigned Amy Winehouse as your next hairstyling client. Do you run screaming from the room, or look at it as a wonderful opportunity to be inventive and innovative?

David Babaii: This is her trade mark that has made her famous. Actually, it wouldn’t be Amy Winehouse without her famous hairstyle. I say keep it since it obviously works for her.

Fashion Time: Do you cut your own hair or have it done by someone else?

David Babaii: I don’t cut my own hair but just had a great hair cut by Lorri Goddard from the  Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills.

Image sources:
daylife.com
www.db4wildaid.com
www.fushionmag.com