Ken Paves: Hair Master
Behind Jessica Simpson |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All
Rights Reserved |
| Revised
Publication Date: 10/25/11 |
Introduction
 |
|
Jessica
Simpson |
|
DC Media
All Rights Reserved |
Behind every beautiful celebrity is a skilled team of hair and
beauty experts. Jessica Simpson's go-to hairstylist for many years
is celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves.
I first met Ken at a two-day Seventeen
magazine shoot at a North Dallas spa salon (Seventeen
Studio Spa Salon) in Dallas back in 2002.
He accompanied Jessica and her entourage for the photo shoot
along with shooting a TV spot and a performance by Jessica.
First Impressions
I liked Ken at once. He immediately warmed my heart with a comment that my long blonde hair reminded him of
Stevie Nicks.
I also realized very quickly after meeting Ken that the business
of being beautiful for the camera is very hard work.
It takes a lot of time to set up each still, video or film shot
including constant hair and wardrobe changes. Flying low below the
shoot's radar,
Ken
transformed the beautifully blonde Jessica into a dizzying array of
stunning hairstyles right before my eyes. In short order he
transitioned Jessica from a celestial goddess to a white-hot rock
star.
 |
|
Jessica
Simpson |
|
DC Media
All Rights Reserved |
Ken operated with military precision from his cramped command post in the spa's
tiny make-up alcove.
Spreading out his irons, rollers, brushes, clips, combs and serums, he looked like a
hair scientist getting ready for a major project.
Over the course of many hours Ken painstakingly pinned rows of
faux hair rollers into Jessica's hair, brushed her hair out into a
flirty pony and then orchestrated an array of curls and waves.
Right before my eyes Jessica's hair was constantly changing. The Eye Of The Hurricane
Ken can weave his hair spells in a matter of minutes while a hurricane of activity swirls around him.
A ball of energy he managed to bring a calming sense of humor
into the eye of the chaotic storm.
I was surprised at how easily he managed to stay
cheerfully focused on the hair project at hand, even with constant interruptions from photographers, producers, a host of editors and
the media. Ken never missed a beat as he clenched his favorite brush in his mouth while using his fingers to smooth and tease every strand into absolute perfection.
 |
|
Jessica Simpson
& Ken Paves
w/ famous Red Solano
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Waving his cord-modified Solano blow dryer like a magical red
wand, Ken meticulously worked and tousled even as Jessica downed a quick lunch salad, chatted about her newest CD or talked with her managers.
Ken And Jessica's Long History
Exuding total coolness he was clad in chic, but relaxed, California style jeans and shirt. Ken sported his own edgy blonde highlighted
hair (courtesy of hair color guru Rita Hazan) which ranged from
butterscotch to vanilla.
Ken has been doing Jessica's hair for several years. Make no mistake,
he absolutely loves working with Jessica.
Although highly sought after as a celebrity hairstylist, Ken is
selective about the hair he works with. Jessica is one of his
favorites because "she is an amazing girl, such a sweetheart and
great to work with".
 |
|
L to R:
Ken Paves & Jessica Simpson
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Ken told me "Jessica is beautiful and very charitable."
He said "she is a very kind and generous soul."
Ken respects her as "a person and performer and admires her natural talent for doing hair and make-up".
There have been times, Ken reported, when he saw Jessica and "she
looked absolutely amazing, just beautiful". Then he discovered
that she had actually done her own hair and make-up.
Jessica's natural hair and make-up talents makes her so fabulous
to work with "because she understands her hair and its potential".
Ken likes the fact that Jessica "works with him to achieve great
styles and he respects her abilities". Sharing The Compliments
Ken loves to spread around the credit. He had so many nice
things to say about Jessica and his other team members, that I had to concentrate on getting him to talk about himself.
After raving about the fabulous talents of Rita, who does Jessica's colors, he called out to Jessica's mother Tina and insisted that she confirm how quickly and fabulously Rita could create highlights.
 |
|
L to R:
Ken Paves, Jessica Simpson, Joe Simpson
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Tina agreed that "Rita does great highlights and very quickly".
A Young Bridgette Bardot
Although Ken regularly works his hair magic for Jessica and many other well-known celebrities, he is "a Midwestern boy at heart who finds tremendous joy in his work and his clients".
His stated preference is to "work with celebrity clients that are positive, upbeat and love what they are doing, like Jessica".
Ken believes that "it is important to develop a good relationship". After all, his works of hair art ultimately spring from his "ability to understand who and what his client is all about".
From that understanding, he is able to craft a total image that
his hair designs compliment. He noted "hair should reflect the inner you".
 |
|
Jessica
Simpson |
|
DC Media
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Ken explained "much of his inspiration for Jessica's overall look springs from his vision of her as a modern day Bridgette Bardot".
Or possibly "a young Mariel Hemingway in the film Star80".
Indeed, upon meeting Jessica I realized she has an irresistible blonde beauty
which oozes from every pore, much like Ms. Bardot in her heyday. Jessica's
beauty smolders without stepping over the line of good taste.
I've seen Jessica project the image of a beautiful, confident women. Just like Bridgette,
when I met Jessica back in 2002 she was well on her way to become a worldwide sensation with her beauty and talent.
Just as Bardot did in the 50s.
Although Jessica's rich voice can easily and effortlessly glide through a diverse collection of
songs from ballads to sultry R&B, funk and rhythm-pop, Ken can
envision "just the right look for her performance hair". Work Hard But Have Fun
 |
|
Jessica
Simpson & Ken Paves
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Ken definitely has fun through his work and it shows in
everything he does. During the actual photo shoot in the spa's
famous cozy pedicure pit Ken hovered close by his celebrity ward,
with hair clips decorating his sleeves and his hair tools tucked
into various pockets. Watching as every part
of Jessica's hair was photographed, Ken darted back and forth
between takes to make sure, with the flick of his wrist, that every
curl was just right.
Posed to leap forward in an instant, he was always prepared to smooth, tuck, brush, spray or twirl Jessica's hair as needed.
Ken is one part hairstylist and one part cheerleader.
He kept the shoot atmosphere relaxed and chilled, knowing exactly
when to crack a joke to help his celebrity client smile and have fun
through the grueling posing.
As a multitude of cameras flashed, Ken called out to Jessica
helping put her at ease and making her smile and laugh. Jessica's Fine But Thick Hair
 |
|
Ken Paves &
Jessica Simpson
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Ken explained Jessica "has very fine hair but there is lots of it". Even more noteworthy "her current bra length locks are all her own sans her previous hair extensions". He has been helping Jessica "grow out her length for the past four years since her first CD when she appeared bleached to within one inch of her life".
The talented hairdresser pointed out that "Jessica has naturally light blonde hair but the bleach was too much for her fine hair". Not only did the excessive bleach "cause her hair to break and become very damaged, Jessica didn't really like the white blonde look".
As a result of the bleach damage Ken "had to take Jessica's hair temporarily shorter and supplement with extensions as needed for a longer look". Ken and Rita Hazan, Jessica New York colorist decided "to take her back to a softer, more natural blonde look".
Jessica's hue, when I met her in 2002 was "a combination of her own beautiful natural blonde and some well-placed highlights created with the Clairol Professional color line".
Her hair was soft, shiny, glamorous and very healthy.
 |
|
L to R:
Ken Paves & Jessica Simpson,
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Ken pointed out Jessica has perfect hair for long hair. Recently
he added "gentle scissor cut layers around Jessica's face to add softness and shape within impacting the overall length".
I asked Ken why he used scissors rather than a razor. He
explained "Jessica's hair is so fine that it is thinnest around her face and would tend to split if cut with a razor". Jessica wanted her hair a little longer for her
upcoming Fall 2002 nuptials to Nick Lachey.
As a result of her wishes, Ken told me he was helping her to
strengthen and condition her hair with a special protein serum.
Ken is a big fan of European hair care products. His three favs are
Phyto (Phytotherathrie), Rene Furterer and Leonor Greyl, not necessarily in that order.
Ken admitted within the Phyto line his favorite products are
"the two Phytolaque sprays and the Phytodefrisant Balm".
 |
|
L to R:
Ken Paves, Jessica Simpson
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
A bottle of red Phytolaque Soie non-aerosol spray was in constant reach while he worked on Jessica's hair.
He loves the
"Phytolaque Soie on Jessica hair because it allows for a soft silky hold." He believes the Phyto product protects and nourishes her hair. Jessica's Bridal Hair
Ken will be doing Jessica's hair when she has her fairytale wedding to Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees in the Fall of 2002. I asked Ken if he knew how he would be doing Jessica's hair.
Although he admitted that he has some ideas on Jessica's wedding hair designs, he told me he would meet with Jessica some weeks before the wedding to do some practice styles.
He would then take photos of the styles and leave them with
Jessica to decide. Tex Mex Natch
 |
|
L to R:
Jessica Simpson, Ken Paves w/ famous Red Solano
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
After a long hard day of brushing, spraying, curling and bending Jessica's curls, Ken joined the star and her family for a Tex-Mex feast at the famous Dallas Chuys
on McKinney.
Happily admitting to two delicious margaritas and eating from one end of the table to the other, Ken obviously enjoyed
spending time with all the folks in Jessica's camp. And vice versa.
It's obvious he is highly regarded by Jessica, her family and the rest of her entourage. A Fan As Well
On Jessica's second day at the Seventeen spa she was
scheduled to perform onstage as one of the main
attractions for an outdoor Parking Lot Party as well as
have a private pedicure party for a group of her lucky
fans.
Jessica was also scheduled to be photographed in a
number of locations throughout the spa and meet and
greet her fans for an autograph session.
Arriving with his bag of magic hair tools, Ken set up shop for day two of Jessica's visit.
After creating a series of beautiful soft hair designs
for her various appearances, Ken followed Jessica
outside to the main stage.
 |
|
(Photo L to R:
Ken Paves, Jessica Simpson
2002 |
|
Jeffry Hines
HairBoutique.com - All rights reserved |
Standing with her manager he applauded and cheered her on during her on-stage performance.
He told me he "loved her performance and is always one
of her biggest fans." Gone But Never Forgotten
After Jessica finished her performance at the Seventeen Parking
Lot Party, she was whisked off stage into the back of the spa to
quickly change and head for the airport. Ken accompanied Jessica and the police escorts through the secret back entrance and out to the sleek white stretch limo.
Before he disappeared into the mammoth darkness of the car he stopped, gave me a
big hug and said good-bye.
Note: To read more about Ken visit
the
Ken Paves Page on HairBoutique.com.
Original Publication Date: 08/03/2002 - Revised
Publication Date: 10/25/11 |
