Dimitris Giannetos is a renowned celebrity hairstylist, famous for his long-time hairstyling work with the Kardashian family, and several other celebrities like Eva Longoria, Gigi Hadid, and Demi Moore.
Today, he is known for his eye-catching work that spans from celebrity styling to editorial, but Giannetos comes from what he described as a small town in Greece, Thessaloniki. He was propelled by his love for hairstyling to move to Los Angeles at 29 in 2012.
The Tease got to speak with Giannetos about his work, interests, and techniques. Keep scrolling for our exclusive Q&A.
The Tease: Tell me a little about your background
Dimitris Giannetos: I’m a professional hair stylist and colorist, originally from Thessaloniki, a small town in Greece. I fell in love with hair at a young age.
In my early years as a hairstylist, I had the incredible opportunity to travel across Europe, working behind the scenes at fashion weeks and editorial shoots. I had the opportunity to assist on the team for the iconic Guido Palau, I learned so much during this experience.
At 29, I took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles. Although it was a bit out of my comfort zone at the time, I knew it was the natural next step in my career. I moved to LA with the goal of specializing in celebrity styling and had my first experience with this back in Greece when I started working with my first celebrity client, Maria Menounous.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most incredible people in the entertainment industry. Every client and every red carpet is exciting and special, and I feel so grateful every day to get to do what I love and to continue to express my creativity.
When did you realized you wanted to become a hairstylist?
Giannetos: I realized my passion for hair at a very young age. I enrolled in beauty school at the age of 15. I was always drawn to the beauty and fashion world, and I would spend hours creating looks for my mom. She was my very first client, and she was kind enough to let me experiment on her hair constantly! I loved seeing how hair could completely transform someone.
Any hurdles you had to overcome?
Giannetos: Yes, definitely! Moving to Los Angeles more than 12 years ago and not speaking any English beyond being able to introduce myself of course presented some challenges.
I learned to navigate life in a completely new country, adjusting to not just the language but new culture and industry dynamics. I learned quickly how to build relationships and grow my network, and at the same time, how to stand out and pursue my work in a very competitive environment.
Any favorite hairstyles you’ve created from the early days?
Giannetos: I started working as a hairstylist in the late 90s. So I’m a 90s kid. There was a lot of big hair! And now, it’s all back on trend. The Cindy Crawford hair of the 90s, for example, it was so iconic. It’s easy for me to recreate these looks now because I was doing it back then.
Today, what are your favorite hairstyles to create?
Giannetos: I like to play with looks from all the different decades. It’s fun to go for things that are a little more retro and add my own twist. Once you have the foundational skills, you can really create hairstyles from all decades and make them updated with your own vibe.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Giannetos: I draw a lot of inspiration from fashion, from looks on the runway, and also from beautiful looks from decades past. I love to find new ways to create my own spin on timeless, glamorous looks from the past, the 50s and 60s, and modernize them. I am also very inspired by my incredible clients, and it’s very fun to collaborate with them and work together on the vision.
How has your work changed throughout the years?
Giannetos: My work has changed a lot through the years. The secret is the experience. It makes you more confident as a hairstylist. It also helps you know when to stop and when the work is done instead of telling yourself “I need to do more!” After gaining experience, you start to feel more reassured and confident. If a look takes 20 minutes, then it takes 20 minutes. You don’t need to make it take two hours because you feel like you didn’t do enough. When you over-do something it becomes boring and loses its life.
Anything that you’re looking forward to career-wise?
Giannetos: I feel so grateful for everything I’ve accomplished in my career so far and for the amazing people I get to collaborate with. I’ve been fortunate to work with people I have dreamed of working with. This year alone, my work has taken me around the world from Japan to Italy, France, and beyond with the Clooneys, the Kardashians and many others. It’s been quite the journey and every day brings new exciting projects. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
What are some techniques that make your life easier when working on celebrities’ hair?
Giannetos: I really thrive in the collaborative environment that comes with celebrity styling and the opportunity to work closely with the makeup artist, the stylist, and of course the celebrity talent themselves. Everyone brings their vision and creativity to the table, and when that chemistry clicks, it’s so special and inspiring.
To make sure everything runs smoothly, it’s always important to be on time for clients and to be extra prepared. You also have to be flexible and ready to roll with any changes. Sometimes schedules don’t always go as planned, shoots run late, or call times get moved and we have to adjust and accommodate and make it work! Maintaining a calm energy even when under pressure is key. Especially since there are so many people working closely together, it helps to keep the energy positive and set the tone for a smooth and successful day. I always come with a full kit and back up plans just in case. I’m used to making last minute adjustments on the spot!
How do you adjust your techniques depending on the event?
Giannetos: I always think about several factors ahead of working with a client. For example, is it a photo shoot or a red carpet? Are we creating a look that will be maintained throughout the whole night or are we switching things up between a carpet and an after-party? Will there be a lot of humidity? These details all influence the techniques and products I rely on to ensure the look not only lasts, but perfectly matches the celebrity and the occasion.
Any milestones you’d like to highlight?
Giannetos: There have been so many milestones for me over the past few years, so it is hard to pick just one! I was referred to by Vogue as a “Glam God” and also made People’s list of “Sexiest Glam Alive.” And this year, I was recognized as “Hair Artist of the Year” by Daily Front Row. Those were pretty surreal moments for me!
I’ve had the honor working with incredible brands as an ambassador like L’Oreal Paris and Moroccanoil. This was definitely a huge moment for me and a major personal achievement in my career. And this week, something very special happened. I was featured on the cover of Basic magazine. Such a full-circle moment to have my photo on the cover of a magazine. I’m usually the one behind the scenes, creating magic for cover shoots, so to be on the other side of things for my own feature was exciting and humbling and definitely an unforgettable moment.
