Meet Anna Alvarez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Alvarez.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Born and raised in Austin, Texas. I started my journey in the beauty industry Junior year of high school.

In 2004, at the age of 18, I completed cosmetology school and two weeks later gave birth to my daughter Alyssa. Having a child at a young age has taught me to be strong and to never give up. I wasn’t just living for myself anymore. I’ve literally worked in every salon environment there is. Some by choice and some just because I needed to work. After nine months at doing 15 min haircuts at 9.50 an hr in 2006, I was hired at an Aveda concept salon in downtown Austin. I wanted more with my career. You can’t let fear stop you from growth. Every challenge I was faced with I tried to look at the positive side of it. The first month I was at a hair salon, the staff walked out on the owners. I now had to be a stylist on the floor. The opportunity for me to assist wasn’t really available they now needed a stylist to take in walk-in clients, I had to “wing it.” Aveda hair shows and classes inspired me. I knew my passion was in styling hair and being involved with fashion. I joined a website ModelMayhem and started doing photoshoots with photographers and was published in Tribeza and other local magazines. Networking events and doing photoshoots I learned a lot about being a professional hairstylist and why we are considered an artist. Being in the salon and making my clients happy with their hair was great but I’ve always wanted more. In 2012 Mane and Tailored was created. I organized my first fashion show at a club in downtown Austin. Following that two more shows benefiting charities. With the help of other stylist and my friend Joey (photographer), we were able to pull it off. Found local designers, boutiques, hair and makeup artist, models, DJ, and local vendors for food and drinks. In 2013, I was invited to assist with the Moroccanoil team in New York fashion week. Talk about “Goals!” And believe me, it wasn’t easy for me to get the invite. I soon after became an educator for Moroccanoil. In 2015 I moved to Houston with my two daughters and decided to make Houston home. I opened “Mane and Tailored” end of 2017 in downtown Houston. It is a creative space where I bring artists to have workshops and a beauty lounge/photography studio, where we provide hair styling and makeup. We have space for Bridal parties, Quincenera’s or any large group needing our services(hair/makeup). Our private Photography studio is available for hourly rent.

Please tell us about your art.
It’s now been 15 years that I’ve been a hairstylist. In the salon on a day to day, you build relationships with people that soon become your clients. Not just because you do a great job on their hair but you also have a connection that keeps them coming back. A lot of my clients inspire me and keep me motivated with just their life experiences. As a hairstylist we do more than just color or cut hair we help with making someone feel confident in the way they look. When I do bridal hair styling, I feel the most pressure but in a good way! Knowing this is an important day and will be seen in photos for years to come. My job is to make this client feel and look fabulous! Its the best feeling knowing your bride feels beautiful and ready to walk down the aisle. Building trust with your client is important. Once that is confirmed the artist in me is able to create.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The biggest challenge… I would say is being realistic on social media with your work. Our work gets compared to social media accounts that are filtered. Explaining to a client the time and investment to create the look they want can sometimes be a challenge.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Mane and Tailored has a website, www.maneandtailored.com 
Instagram ; @ annar_alvarez
Facebook ; @Maneandtailoredstudio

Best way to support is referrals and sharing post.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1113 Vine Street, Houston Texas 77002 #120
• Website: www.maneandtailored.com
• Phone: 5126732706
• Email: maneandtailored@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mane_and_tailored/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maneandtailoredstudio

Image Credit:
Armando Jimenez

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