HAIRDRESSER
NYC
ABOUT ARTIST
Anatoly Vernigorov is an International Master Hair-Stylist, winner of multiple awards and holder of numerous certificates .
Anatoly`s carrier began when he was just a teenager in his home region of Stavropol , in Russia.
At the young age of 16, he decided to leave Choreography and Art School, where he was studying dance and pursue his one true dream. He did not have much support in his quitting school and going for a completely different direction , but that never stopped him or slowed him down. It was not a decision made on an impulse - he knew in his heart of hearts that Hair Styling and design was his calling.
In former Soviet Union it was nearly impossible to get a job at 16 , but Anatoly had the arrogance of youth and he pushed through obstacles and moved fast , so it was not a surprise that he got hired at a well known salon in his town and very shortly became #2 hair stylist in his region , #1 being his teacher.
This is when Anatoly Vernigorov was really born. He thrived at work during the day and went to evening school at night.
When The State Hair Design Laboratory came to his salon and chose him to take part in state competition - everyone else saw what he did - He was destined to do hair.
To everyone`s surprise and astonishment a 16 year old boy won the second place at the state competition and the academy was so impressed, they offered him to be a part of their school.
He became a teacher and a student at the academy - he flourished in the environment of imaginative, creative minds that had the same love and appreciation for hair as he did.
They all learned, taught each other, they did seminars, master classes, went through examinations.
Anatoly loved it - he was honing his craft and everything came easily to him - he started collaborating with magazines, fashion houses, took part in competitions , receiving awards and certificates .
At a very young age he became the most sought after hair stylist and he caught a "fame fever" as he calls it.
And again he made a well thought out decision to move to Moscow and study under Olga Burmistrova - A bronze Medal holder in World Championship of Hair design.
He moved to Moscow when he was 21, with one suitcase , empty pockets and whole lot of dreams. But just like before - nothing could stop him. He proved to Olga, that he needed her tutorage and that his commitment was as strong as his work ethic.
Anatoly started working at prestigious salon "Tressalz" . So again, he was training and working ungodly hours , to the point of his legs becoming numb .
16 hour days, barely any money (most of his paycheck would go towards models for training) and the pressure of Big City finally caught up with him. At some point even his "I can I will" attitude gave out and he was ready to call it quits and go back to his town.
A Nationwide competition in hair design was happening In Russia and so he decided to take part in it and then go back home. He did not win , but to him it was just what he needed to reignite the fire in him and to re-charge him . He says not winning actually helped him get rid of the "fame fever" (celebrity fever) and refocus on what he really wanted to do - be creatively free and do what he loved.
Burmistrova opened her own salon and Anatoly and her other protégés followed suit. Anatoly loved it - he was constantly learning and growing as a stylist - always creatively challenged under Olga1s supervision. To this day he is grateful to Olga for her support and the knowledge he received from her.
And then, came success! "Just like that!" - After years and years of hard work and dedication one of his lifelong goals was achieved - At 1997 European Championship in hair design he won THREE First places and the Grand Price. He felt validated, he felt satisfied and happy. Anatoly decided that that was the end of the competitions era for him and once again, it was time to change the course.
He became engrossed in the new salon, new clients, new colleagues and he also met LINDA a Russian Singer (trip-hop, electronic, ethnic music).
Linda was freedom - she was the most intriguing and fascinating artist in 90s Russia. Anatoly`s creative energy and imagination were set free and he went on to do some of the iconic looks of Linda - in music videos, photo shoots, magazine covers , concerts.
Anatoly got into Makeup Artistry more and more, and just like with anything else he ever took interest in - he learned and honed that skill with same enthusiasm as ever. He also became a member of Fashion Day Club - a place where industry professionals with same passion and imagination and creative mindset came together to organize seminars, master-classes, workshops -to teach others and to work their craft.
He was also invited to work with Lencom Theater on a production of Chekhov`s "Cherry orchard" , where he made and styled wigs.
2002-2015 he worked in a prestigious chain salon “BABOR”.
2007-2016 Anatoly worked with famous Russian pop singer - Valery Leontiev - who has received numerous awards including World Music Award as the best selling artist in Soviet Union as well as Living Legend award from Ovation Awards - touring, doing video/photo shoots, concerts.
In 2016, with the same fire and spark in his eyes as a 16 year old , after over 25 years in the hair industry and in show business in Russia, Anatoly once again made a decision to change his life and moved to New York, USA.
He is ready for new challenges, new beginnings, new faces, new friendships, new goals and new achievements.
Anatoly`s life philosophy could be put in couple of words - "Keep moving, keep learning, keep growing!" He has been certified by London Saks Academy, Toni & Guy Academy in London, Stephan University in France, Llongueras Academy in Barcelona and he is not stopping. Why?
Because he always wants to be on top of the newest trends and technologies in his profession, because he believes that passion and curiosity go hand in hand and that`s what keeps him always interested and inspired.