Gauging Beauty with Hair Stylist, Robert Gage

I never had the pleasure of meeting Andy Warhol, or Truman Capote, but I think I understand their creative way of thinking a little more after being completely engaged with hair stylist, Robert Gage.

Robert's creative way and his approach is probably why he has had such a L.A. way of life here in Toronto. Few hair stylists board a private jet, cut hair in New York, have lunch and are back in time for their five o'clock appointment.

As guarded as I know Gage to be with his crème de la crème client list, he'll boast about making the cover of Toronto Life, or his hair transplant on breakfast television. Outrageous? Yes! Thank God. Canada needs more colourful people.

As there is a select list of guests attending --politicians, CEO's, actors, and just people acting, Gage has the same breadth of clients hidden in his roster that resides on the top floor of his salon. I pay him a visit.

"This was a house of horizontal refreshment at one time…do you know what that means?" I reply, I think so. It explains the vibe and the maze of private rooms. "You can't see what's going on from room to room. That's the whole thing… Our clientele would never be interested in a place where there are big long rows… where they feel like they're in a trough." Who are your clients? "That's confidential" Then, half a breath later, "I do the Premiere! I can tell you that because it came out in the paper yesterday."

I'm at Gage's workstation. The creative energy that the room holds is fantastic. Pictures of his work, his life, and his loves stare at me from the Victorian walls, whispering stories of Gage's travels. "I've worked on the beach of St. Tropez … cut hair around the world". Gage first started cutting hair as a young boy guided by a family of hairdressers and wig makers. "My Uncle had a very chi chi salon in the thirties in Toronto called Beatrice Grey."

When was your big break I ask? Gage gazes at me. "I've never been hired, never been fired, never had a resume". There probably wasn't a big break, just a slow, steady incline. "Certain things have reassured my clientele over the years, I certainly speak their language".

I reluctantly ask him why there are so many bad hair stylists. "If you're too ego-driven as a hairdresser, and you decide you are going to make your mark on somebody so that everybody knows, you've failed, what you really want to do is make that person look fantastic".

Gage invented the eleventh commandment: Know Thy Client. It's so simple. I have a flashback of Gage standing behind a woman at Biz Bar, pulling her face back, rewinding her life and pitching facial rejuvenation. Fabulous! At that time, Gage worked alongside the very reputable plastic surgeon Dr. Bell. And you did hear bells when he finished your face. Then you heard cash register chimes as your bank account was emptied. I inquire into their separation.

"I didn't find it to be a good marriage simply because we'd be looking down the hallway at a woman holding her breasts…or someone would be sitting in the hair color chair looking out the window at the confidentiality of people leaving".

Then Gage tells me that he not only does he contra with his Botox doctor from Barrie, but "She delivers! She needs to put a truckload in my forehead". Ouch. I think I'll stick to moisturizer!

I'm there two hours. Gage takes me from the forties to the seventies to the latest hair trends. Chevron rolls, chignons, shredding to precision cutting. As hair trends come and go we both agree that there is something to be said for timeless, classic beauty. Where is hair now? "Hair is in a very strange place. Right at the moment all hair is product driven…I'm getting a little sick to death of so much product in hair because that's all you see. You're not allowed to publish photos with beautiful fresh hair". He's right, what happened to the Breck girl whose hair moved with the summer wind?

As I leave, the artist in me is inspired on so many different levels. Robert's gauge is set pretty high, but that's Robert Gage.



Rob Closs is the founder and managing Director of The School of Professional Makeup, one of the premier makeup schools in Canada. In addition to comprehensive courses in makeup artistry, the School of Professional Makeup also offers courses in contemporary and period hair styling. More information on hair styling courses can be found on the school's course calendar.