Photographer / filmmaker Margaret Zhang.

Known as one of the most creative and visionary masters of hair color, Aura Friedman has been the innovative mind behind some of the most stunning color trends over the last 20 years. From soft opal hues and the iridescent ‘oil slick’, to the spectacular Bird of Prey design, Aura has transformed digital fashion mavens like Charlotte Groeneveld and Margaret Zhang, actors like Elizabeth Olsen and Anna Paquin, and megastar musicians such as M.I.A and Lady Gaga. Her body of work also includes campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, and Chanel, to name just a few. We caught up with Aura to chat about how she turned her creative vision into a stellar career.

*Charlotte* @*fashionguitar*

“She is Aura and there is nobody like her. I have tried MANY colorists over the last 20 years in The Netherlands, London, NYC and Toronto, Aura is the best. I have been every pastel, and orange most recently. Who would have thought?”

LM: How did you start your career as a colorist?

AF: I started doing color by chance. At 15 years old I moved to a new state, Northern Virginia (DC area), and I applied at every place in a strip mall. I got the job at the hair salon.

LM: Have you always been fascinated by color?

AF: Yes, I always took art classes and understood color theory. Color is everything; it evokes emotion and brings joy and confidence. Color is magic!

LM: Was there one particular job that you think launched your career?

AF: One thing that helped a lot was coloring Lady Gaga. Then my client, who was the stylist beauty editor, wrote an article about it.

LM: What kind of impact does hair color have on a person?

AF: It can restore confidence. Nothing is more empowering than making someone feel confident like they can conquer anything. I’ve transformed peoples hair, and it launched / created a career for them. Color is powerful magic!

LM: Where do you find inspiration from?

AF: My inspiration comes from art, film, fashion, nature and pretty much everything I see. Like the ‘oil slick’ or splash-light? Oil Slick came from wanting to create iridescent hair. It came from seeing oil slicks. Splash lights came from something Annie Humphries of Vidal Sassoon, a hair hero of mine did - shine marks on the hair - then I was approached by C (I don’t want to use her name) to do it.

LM: Tell us about your artistic process?

AF: To be honest, I pull references and think about concepts for years. Then try to come up with ways to technically execute them.

LM: What is the most exciting part of your job?

AF: I just love when people walk out the door feeling incredible about themselves. My clients every day make my work exciting.

LM: You have worked with some incredible artists throughout your career, like M.I.A and Lady Gaga.

AF: All of these artists have been incredibly powerful and very hard-working women, I am fortunate enough to have been able to work with, and learn from them. When I did Lady Gaga the morning of the VMA’s, I had to get in the shower (clothed) to wash her hair, LOL that was unique.

LM: Which campaigns or editorial shoots have let you push the boundaries of your work?

AF: The most recent Arizona Ice Tea was a fun one!! I am also a creative director. Some of the work that I love most are the short films and editorials that I created myself.

LM: You have already accomplished so much through your work. Are there any other artists, brands, or publications that you aspire to collaborate with?

AF: I love telling stories through film and image. I aspire to work in film or TV more, conceptualizing color and hair. I would love to work with beauty brands to create beautiful and joyful content, that is marketable, but still art.

Interview: Linda Mateljan

Queen of Color: Aura in the Splash-light