Andrea E. Wilson

Subject of my article is ...

 Andrea E. Wilson (born in Kingston, Jamaica) is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, specializing in ethnic hair. She is best known throughout celebrity circles and in the fashion industry. Her personal clients mainly consist of super models such as Arlenis Sosa, Veronica Webb, Jordan Dunn and Juanel McKenzie. Signed to Ford Artists, Wilson’s work has been featured in many magazines such as Vogue and Allure, whilst her commercial clients have included the likes of Hershey’s, Coca-Cola, Master Card and VH1. Wilson was Lauryn Hill’s personal hairstylist for The Fugees European tour of 14 countries. She has also worked on film and television productions and was the lead hairstylist on Bravo TV’s “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style”, seasons 1 & 2.

Early Years
Wilson had exposure to hair care as a child growing up in Jamaica. She had six females in her immediate family (mother, sister, grandmother and three aunts). Every Saturday was “Hair Day” in their household. The little girls had their hair washed, then braided. Older girl’s had their hair pressed then curled and the adult’s hair was relaxed. That’s how Wilson gained a vast education in different hair types and needs.

Wilson recalls childhood memories of her Grandmother hiding her pressing comb because she knew Wilson would use it. According to Wilson: “I started to use the dinner forks to press hair because it looked like a comb. But I didn’t understand the heat transferences and I use to burn myself”.

At the age of 10 Wilson joined her mother in New York. On one occasion her mother sent her to Wilfred Academy to get her hair styled. This was a turning point in Wilson’s life. The inexperienced students washed and dried her hair without detangling first. To her horror, Wilson’s hair became a mass of thick tangled curls. It took the instructor and two students over three hours to re-condition and detangle. After that ordeal, Wilson vowed “When I get big I’m going to come here and show you how to do hair.” At 20, she fulfilled her promise by enrolling at Wilfred Academy. She graduated at the top of her class one year later. One of the classes Wilson excelled in was Thermal Straightening, due to her earlier exposure to hair care as a child and the unfortunate incident at the beauty school. At Wilfred Academy Wilson was a valued assistant to her instructor, who happened to be the same person who detangled her hair 10 years earlier.

Career
In 1998 a colleague of Wilson’s was hired to style hair for a Hype Williams’ video production. She brought Wilson on board as a make-up artist. The video was for rap group Wu Tang Clan, for their hit track "Ice Cream". That was Wilson’s first experience working in the music video industry. Wilson fell in love with the excitement and fast paced atmosphere.

Because of Wilson’s niche expertise in ethnic hair and extensions she got the opportunity to work with the top, most sought after hairstylist, Jimmy Paul Miscovitch. They needed someone who understood ethnic hair. It was then Wilson developed a reputation and demand for her services grew. Since 2000 Wilson has been working consecutively on fashion weeks in New York, Italy and Paris.

Wilson has worked on photo sessions for many magazines including Vogue, Allure, Women’s Wear Daily, Prestige, Industry, LA Confidential, Tattler Magazine and countless others. Her commercial clients have included Hershey’s, Coca-Cola, and Master Card, VH1 and Citibank. She has also worked on films such as “Belly”, directed by Hype Williams and “Proud”.

The chance to be featured in the film came about when Wilson was styling the hair of Tommy’s daughter’s. This experience gave Wilson the opportunity to work with the late Ossie Davis. Wilson was also introduced to Bill Clinton at a wrap party held on the same ship in honor of the original crew members, who received medals of Honor that night. Other accomplishments have included television; Wilson was the lead hairstylist on Bravo TV’s “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style”, seasons 1 & 2.

Wilson’s career has taken her around the world to Milan, Paris and as far away as India. Although her personal clients mainly consist of super models, on occasions she has had the opportunity to style for celebrities such as Jordin Sparks, Raven Symone and Nia Long at Red Dress, the show that kicks off New York Fashion week. In 2005 Wilson was also Lauryn Hill’s personal hairstylist for The Fugees European tour of 14 countries, including Finland, Norway, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland.

In 2010 Wilson was the exclusive hair stylist for the cast of “RISE”. A cinematic documentary piece celebrating American Figure Skating and paying homage to the dream team of American Skaters who died in the 1961 plane crash in Brussels; en route to the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

In 2010 Wilson became the official lead hairstylist for the annual Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW), held in Jamaica. CFW is the largest fashion show in the Caribbean region. This was a great honor for Wilson as Jamaica is her place of birth.