This morning, renowned session stylist Sam McKnight received his MBE from the Palace. Recognised for services to fashion and beauty, the British Beauty Council Advisory Board member shares his career defining moment, tips for young stylists, and pride for British beauty
‘When I started being a session stylist in 1977, there was only a handful of people doing it ,and they were mainly booked out of the salon for a day. In 1980, I took a risk and left Molton Brown to go it alone. Many said I was crazy to “give up the day job” – now look how big we have grown.
‘It means so much to me that the session stylist is now recognised, we’re officially a thing!’ exclaims McKnight, upon being listed in King Charles’s New Year Honours List 2023.
With more than four decades of pioneering work under his belt, Sam McKnight – now MBE – has graced today’s runways with some of beauty’s most iconic looks. From the all-American blowout to sharp pin curls, the industry leader’s work has shaped modern hairstyling.
McKnight’s work doesn’t stop backstage, on top of launching coveted Hair by Sam McKnight products, his stint as Princess Diana’s personal hairstylist is internationally celebrated, as is his continuing work with the likes of Jodie Comer and Bella Hadid.
Other than this morning’s trip to the palace, it’s hard for McKnight to pin down a career-defining memory. ‘I’m very lucky to have had so many over the years. With 200-odd vogue covers, and extensive work with Karl Lagerfeld, Nick Knight and Chanel, I can’t mark anything specific. I guess what brought me to the public eye was the perfect storm of the early 90s with the supermodels, Westwood, Demarchelier, and Princess Diana when the fashion world exploded into the mainstream.’
But, why is he so dedicated to upholding British beauty? ‘Our talent is at the forefront of beauty, and we need to keep that up. We need to teach and inspire our young and show them what sweeping hair off the floor and washing towels can lead to,’ starts McKnight, before taking a moment to chart his career: ‘When I started, my first show was for the Emmanuel’s, there were three hairdressers and ten models, with a tiny audience.
‘Now we have 35 hairdressers, 100-odd models, with a live audience of thousands and millions of viewers online. Sometimes I long for a quieter more intimate time with fewer people, but that’s progress for you!’
Pictured receiving his award, McKnight wears a grin, indicative of his approach to his work: ‘This has grown beyond my wildest dreams. It’s not a job, it’s a way of life. Hard work, but so much fun.’
