Model Nayomi and Hander stylist Edison Tovar
Moisés Sandoya’s ‘Bergere’ look for Hander Salon event was truly awesome, and the straw coloured hairpieces automatically transported one to a Millais painting. All associations are valid, even if they are totally different centuries. That is the genius of creatives, their ability to transport you somewhere else… Read More…
Model Karina Pinilla
LE FEMME FATALE – Juliet Lopez Arenas’ inspiration for this second look was one of a daring woman that is still in touch with her sexiness, but has a polished glamour. Read More…
Panamanian designer, Moises Sandoya was selected by Mr Hander himself to create the concept for the showpieces for the Hander Salon ‘Maison Parisienne de la Coiffure event’. You can understand why he was asked just by taking a look at the gorgeous semi-precious stone costume that he created for the ‘Las Tablas Carnival’ queen this year (above).
Moises with the ‘Marie Antoinette’ costume and elongated semi-crinoline (Model: Nayomi)
I was lucky to catch up with Moises Sandoya at his workshop off Via España with a time scale of only two and a half weeks from receiving the brief to delivering the ready-made piece, ready for Mr Hander and his top stylists to do their magic. It meant WORK, WORK, WORK for him as we talked.
Design work and hairpieces for the ‘Marie Antoinette’ piece.
There will be three models with three different concepts to showcase the L’Oréal creed for ‘La Maison Parisienne de la Coiffure’: 1. L’excellence artisanal, 2. Expertise, 3. Innovation, 4. A unique way to reveal the beauty in all women through professionally designed hair.
Moises with the ‘Panama’ dress and large head comb (Model: Karina)
Sandoya is not only renowned for his more extravagant and imaginative pieces, he also shows his collections at Fashion Week Panama and has a fabulous range of accessories firmly rooted in Panamanian traditional handicraft.
Design work and hairpieces for the ‘Panama’ dress.
This self-effacing man always refers back to his hard working team of seamstresses who work with him around the clock on some of the more complicated pieces. Although, as he confesses, he is never happier then on the job, something I witnessed firsthand, especially when pieces needed to be adapted last minute.
Quietly looking at the problem, Sandoya manipulates, sews and adds gently and elegantly until he finds the solution.
Moises with ‘Cape’ piece and large shoulder pieces (Model: Dayana)
Design work and hairpieces for the ‘Cape’ piece.
It doesn’t always happen that I manage to be in the right continent or city at the right time to take part in the unfolding of a historical event, however, earlier this year I had seen Peter Grays’ creations for L’Oréal Professionnel Paris.
So, when I was invited ‘behind the scenes’ by my FAVOURITE hairdresser in the ‘Americas’, Mr Hander to join him and his team of stylists in three ‘making ofs’ for the first event of L’Oréal Professionnel ‘Maison Parisienne de La Coiffure’ in Central America, to say I was overjoyed is an UNDERSTATEMENT!
From concept to realisation, it took only an amazing two weeks, with a lot of work from Hander’s dedicated team!
Mr Hander
Hander’s Top Stylists – Axel Andersson, Edison Tovar, Asdrual and Julieth Lopez
The Fashion Designer – Moyses Sandoya
The Gorgeous Models au naturel- Naomi Zilber, Karina Pinilla and Dayana Saez
L’Oréal Professional Panama – Rodrigo Castellanos, Eloy Álvarez, Irene Cabrera and Carolina Ferrer
All photos by David Sauceda
When all goes upside down and the my tiny world feels flat, I rush for a pamper session. Pamper sessions are the first things I ‘eye mark’ whilst travelling, so I have my favourites.
On Tenerife, it’s got to be Desiree’s. Her salon is cramped between a cafe and a restaurant in Urb El Camison. Desiree and her team do the lot. There’s Diana, who with her magical hands and use of Argan oil, performs a head massage to die for! Nathalia, who’s waxing technique is reminiscent of Spanish Inquisition techniques – no hair left standing, and she also does a mean manicure and pedicure to boot, although I do like to take my own Butter London or Elysambre nail varnish.
Then there’s Desiree herself, a stylist. She works 6 days a week 10am – 7pm , and she excels at extensions, colour, cut and blow dry – all performed with lots of love. A session here slowly morphs into half a day and you come out feeling new and shiny and somehow able to cope with the MUNDO!
Desiree H – Urb. El Camison Local 43, Las Americas. Tel: 922 795 095
London fashion stylist, Lupe Castro, is traveling throughout Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Central America, all on the back of a motorbike.
Email: lupe@mscastroonamotorbike.com
