Vidal Sassoon Basic Fall 2014 Winner Erica Jones

Stendhal Syndrome is a psychosomatic response that a person can have to viewing what they consider to be a particularly beautiful piece of artwork. Symptoms they may experience include racing heart, confusion, dizziness, fainting, even hallucination. Stendhal Syndrome, also referred to as Florence Syndrome, originated in and is most commonly experienced by individuals viewing the myriad works of art in Florence, Italy.

Though the medical community is in disagreement over the validity of Stendhal Syndrome, no one can deny the feeling of their own heart skipping a beat when seeing an incredible piece of artwork or feeling their breath taken away when standing before a beautiful sunset. The physiological response a person feels to laying their eyes on something they consider to be visually magnificent is what inspires me.

To create art is wonderful, but to create beauty is powerful.  Whether a client wants their current look improved upon or they want to be transformed entirely, when I turn my chair toward the mirror and reveal the look that I helped a client to achieve, I want their reaction to be a visceral one.  Their pupils dilate, their pulse races, a smile crosses their lips, their breath is taken away.  I want to be able to create looks significant enough that my client leaves feeling reborn.