Tape Cuts Gallery15 Images
On the streets of London’s Dalston, you’ll see many things: winding queues for another exclusive sample sale, discarded disposable vapes, a girl throwing up from the back of a Lime. But on one summer day in 2024, the district became the setting for something distinctive: a punk-inspired hair shoot led by a group of young, ambitious hairstylists.
Tape Cuts is a collaborative project between hairstylist and industry mentor Alastair Jubbs and photographer Joseph Clarkson. Leading a team of four young UK-based hairstylists, Jubbs aimed to reshape his mentees’ understanding of hairstyling outside the controlled environment of the salon. The result: elevated, high-fashion punk hairstyles that capture the withstanding defiance of British culture and beauty.
Instead of pristine salon floors, the hairstylists found themselves in Dalston’s gritty streets. With their hair creations actualised into a real, living space, the models posed between corner shops, bustling market stalls and derelict cars.
“In the salon, you have a routine, a rhythm – you know your clients, and there’s a comfort in that,” says mentee Harry Andreou. “When you’re working in a new environment, you have to be more adaptable.” This push to adapt gave way to what fellow mentee Stephen Campbell describes as embodying “individuality, defiance, and a touch of vulnerability.” Think full-face fringes, fiery orange spikes, and half an Afro.
We speak to two of the mentees below about their experience stepping outside the salon and working under Alastair’s mentorship.
What drew you to using punk style in this project, and how do you think it connects to British culture today?
Harry Andreou: I was drawn to punk style because it’s a raw and unapologetic expression of individuality, which feels both classic and current. Punk emerged as a rebellion against the mainstream, and in today’s British culture, that spirit of resistance and self-definition is still alive. The style itself is versatile – it allows for so much creativity and personal story, which is something we wanted to capture in this project.
Stephen Campbell : For me, punk is an attitude, not just a look. And although the punk look is maybe not as [common] now as it once was, the punk attitude is still hugely part of British culture.
What was it like to step outside of this salon environment and explore hairstyling in a new context?
Harry Andreou: Stepping out of the salon was both exciting and challenging. In the salon, you have a routine, a rhythm – you know your clients, and there’s a comfort in that. When you’re working in a new environment, you have to be more adaptable, and you’re often styling with different intentions. But I found it refreshing. It pushed me to be more creative and approach my craft from a different angle, which was rewarding.
How do you view the role of salons, especially within working-class communities, as places for social connection and support?
Stephen Campbell : Hair salons play a vital role within our communities. As hairdressers/salon owners, we strive to create an inclusive, safe space for everyone to be a part of. Hair salons now, more than ever, are spaces where people can quite literally let their hair down, chat about their lives, meet new people, and have fun.
Harry Andreou: They’re not just about hair; they’re spaces where people come together, share stories, and support one another. It’s a place where people feel seen, heard, and connected – sometimes in ways they don’t outside those walls.
What impact has Alastair’s mentorship had on your styling techniques or perspective?
Harry Andreou: Alastair’s mentorship has been huge for me. He’s helped me see beyond the technical aspects of styling to think about the impact and meaning behind each look. He always emphasises the importance of intention – why you’re creating a certain style, and what it conveys. He’s also taught me a lot about precision and attention to detail, which has made me approach each style with a new level of care and thoughtfulness.
What role did connecting with your muses play in shaping your final hair looks?
Harry Andreou: Connecting with my muses was essential. Each muse has their personality, story and vibe, and that gave me a unique foundation for every look. Getting to know them allowed me to create styles that felt authentic to who they are, rather than just something “cool” or on-trend. It’s that personal connection that brought depth to the looks and made each one feel like a real extension of the individual.
What was a look that stood out to you within this project?
Stephen Campbell : It’s hard to pick a clear favourite, but I think the half Afro is my favourite look.
Harry Andreou: One look that stood out to me was the thin spiked style we did at the very end of the day. It was the last look, and we shot it outside, using just a bit of gel and some pins to get those fine, needle-like spikes to stand out. The whole look has this raw, edgy vibe that perfectly captures the spirit of the shoot – unfiltered and a little bit gritty. Working in that low, moody lighting made it feel even more intense, almost like a scene from a dystopian film. This style summed up everything we wanted to convey: individuality, defiance, and a touch of vulnerability.
Photographer Joseph Clarkson, hairstylist Alastair Jubbs, MUA Charlie Fitzjohn, hair assistant Alex Sârghe and Matt Gavin, hair mentee Harry Andreou, Elle Forman, Ilaria Bellemo, Stephen Campbell, muses Vanessa, Benjamin, Harry, Sam, Cloud, Lois
