Creating a good look is like a math equation: clothing + hair + makeup + accessories. You could be wearing the most luxurious, drop-dead gorgeous outfit, but if the hair and makeup aren’t matching that energy, it might look unfinished. Each of these elements are critical to conveying a visual identity, and they must work in collaboration as if no other option remains. Despite the joint forces in play behind the scenes to curate fashion’s most pronounced moments, each piece is its own art form and stands to be celebrated as such. Certainly holding up his end of the equation is César Ramirez, a celebrity hairstylist known for the looks of Jenna Ortega, Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Karol G, and Kylie Jenner, among many others.

Having come from a familial background of hairstyling and salon culture, he knew his destiny from a young age. Ramirez started out by assisting top stylists before formally training at Dop Dop Salon in New York City, where he garnered his first high-profile client and began expanding his portfolio. Today, his skill is sought out for runways, editorials, red carpets, and television shows alike. His journey and the impact of his artistry over his 27+ year career thus far will be honored by the Fashion Group International as Collaborator of the Year, an achievement that can only speak towards the innovation and transformativity of his creative philosophy that has resulted in ample success and opportunities across fashion’s grandest names.

Ramirez advocates strongly for vegan and cruelty-free products across beauty practices, recently becoming a top name at MGM Wellness, where he is working to create an eco-friendly beauty line and educational platform spanning globally. In a world where innovation, change, and discovery is happening every day, it takes names like Ramirez to wake people up, whether it's his following or his own collaborators, to the harmful practices that no longer need to exist.

Known for his bold and diverse range of color, style, and texture, he has recently been named a Global L’Oréal Brand Ambassador in addition to his partnership with Paul Mitchell.

See below for an exclusive conversation with Ramirez:

‍You grew up in your family’s New York City hair salon, surrounded by rollers, hairspray, and other beauty accoutrements. How did that early exposure to beauty culture shape the artist you’ve become today?

Growing up in a Latino hair salon and being raised by LGBTQ+ hairdressers has played a huge part in the artist I am today for many reasons. It has made me a very diverse stylist when it comes to handling different textures; it instilled confidence and a certain flair in my character and personal style. It also exposed me to pop culture, trends, developing my love for beauty, music, and fashion from an early age.

‍Your work sits at the intersection of high fashion, music, and wellness. How do you approach blending these worlds while maintaining a sense of authenticity and individuality in your clients’ looks?

I think it’s easy actually, because I have set a standard for the type of work I deliver as well as how I carry myself. Clients who connect with my style seek me out. If it makes sense and if I feel I’m a good fit for them, I take them on as a client.

‍You’ve helped define the visual evolution of some of today’s most iconic figures—namely, Kim Kardashian and Jenna Ortega, among many others. What draws you to a particular transformation, and how do you know when a look feels right for a client?

I like to be realistic about what I can deliver; I also need to be inspired by the work my clients do. I feel that’s when I can deliver the best results, and there is a certain energy when the look is right. You can see the confidence on their face and the pep in their step, and that’s when I know I got it right. As someone who champions vegan and cruelty-free beauty, how do you see conscious beauty practices reshaping the industry—and what responsibilities do artists and brands share in driving that change?

Well, the fact that most beauty brands are moving toward becoming vegan and cruelty-free (if not already) means that thousands of lives are being saved and that we are causing less harm while still feeling and looking beautiful. There is no beauty in using products that come from the harm, torture, or body parts of sentient beings. It’s just ugly any way you look at it, and that energy transmits to us. How beautiful it is to know that a product you love to use has caused no one or no thing any harm. That’s true beauty.

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‍You have recently become a Global L’Oréal brand ambassador and also taken on the role of partner and Chief Brand & Creative Director at MGM Wellness, helping launch a holistic, eco-conscious line and educational platform in Egypt. What excites you most about these next chapters and the potential global impact of these ventures?

To be honest, I find these roles to be extremely grand and important. It’s what I have shaped myself for, for so many years, and I am ready to help develop the future of what the beauty industry looks like. Not by influence, but by being a positive role model, mentor, and testament to hard work. Also, developing a beauty brand in a region where beauty has been concealed by modesty comes with a responsibility to get it right. I don’t want to offend anyone, but rather empower those who want to be more self-expressive and flamboyant. Also, because of the state of the world and how much false narrative is spreading, I get to be someone who can change the narrative to build better bridges and opportunities.

‍Collaboration has clearly been central to your career—from styling the stars to working with top beauty brands. What, to you, makes a truly great creative collaboration?

A truly great collaboration is when both parties truly align on a creative vision and give each other the space to explore and express their vision, whether that be with a client who takes my advice and creative input to influence their style or the visuals of their project, or a brand that allows me to lead a creative team in building visual assets.

‍You have been called a tastemaker and visionary, but also a teacher. How do you balance your artistic instincts with your role as a mentor and educator in the industry?

I know that the impact I have on my audience is influential, and I always want that influence to be positive and authentic. I never promote products or brands that I don’t truly feel aligned with or that I don’t actually love to use, because that would not be authentic, no matter the price. I seek brands and products that I love. For example, L’Oréal is truly one of my favorite brands for its diversity and innovation. I genuinely love using Kerastase because of the luxurious feel and knowing that I’m helping the health of my clients’ hair while styling. The AirLight Pro quickly became my favorite blow dryer because it combines heat, air, and infrared light technology to dry and smooth hair faster with less damage.