Renya Xydis

THE next time an Australian celebrity appears in Vogue, check the credit for hair and you will most likely find Renya Xydis's name in small type.  

Renya Xydis

THE next time an Australian celebrity appears in the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar or InStyle, take a look a the credit for hair and you will most likely find Renya Xydis's distinctive name in small type.

For about 30 years, Xydis, 47, has co-starred in fashion editorials with Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Miranda Kerr and Eva Mendes. The determinedly upbeat hairdresser has been working backstage at the international ready-to-wear shows for 16 years and also presides over the Sydney salons Valonz and Salon X, in Paddington, and Renya Xydis City. Yet she maintains an air of innocence that masks her professionalism. However, as the feared and respected model-casting director Russell Marsh discovered at Sass & Bide's London Fashion Week show, behind the bouncy pink hair is a will stronger than any gel.

This man just walked backstage at the Sass & Bide show and yelled for the hair man, and I said: "My name is Renya and I'm not a man and please don't talk like that." He eventually asked whether I could do a chic ponytail. I told him that after 30 years I hoped that I could, but I also told him that he needs to ask for things in a nicer way. Then I asked for an apology. That exchange went around London pretty quickly.

Bono from U2 is the only celebrity I've been intimidated by. I was shaking. He could feel my hands shaking and he had to stop my hands. He said, "Babe, it's all right." I took a deep breath, he put his sunglasses on and shut his eyes and let me get on with it. I gave him sharp edges and sharp lines. He took off his sunglasses, took one look and said, "Brilliant."

Actresses don't scare me. I can read whether they're in a good mood or a bad mood. I know whether I've got to be happy with this one or shut up with that one. They would intimidate me if I didn't know what I was doing, but if they ask for something I know I can do it. I'll always do my best.

I started working in hairdressing because back then they were pushing people into trades. Dad's a bus driver and mum was a machinist for Cue, and I knew that I wanted to make something of myself and not have my parents support me. When I realised this was my life I started to find ways to make it work for me.

I first worked with Nicole Kidman when I was 18 and she was 16, when I was working at Lloyd Lomas. He would just send me to do all of the shoots because I was making no money in the salon. It was Cosmo covers, Cleo covers and Bride To Be covers. I loved the editorial feel.

With my celebrities I can push the look further. They love me. I did Cate Blanchett for the Helpmann Awards. She didn't say anything. I just told her that we would do a chic ponytail like the ones for Sass & Bide in London. I just amped it up a little bit. She didn't even look in the mirror. I love it when I have that trust.

My husband Jim is the one behind everything. People think it's me, but it's not. I have no idea how to budget or pay the rent. Jim is a hairdresser and we met doing our apprenticeships at Lloyd Lomas. He just didn't like being bossed around so he found a little place in William Street, Paddington. We made a lot of mistakes. It took 15 years until we had some clarity.

Hair is hair. I take it seriously, but you're not saving lives, you're saving vanities.