Meet Sophia Flores | Hairstylist & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophia Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up with creative sisters and parents I feel like I could never work in an office/cubicle. I grew up taking photos, my favorite is film, which I still love but I didn’t feel like it was enough, I was assisting the creative director at my school doing all the graphic design and posters to put up around the campus. I would look outside the window everyday and felt like I wasn’t living life to my fullest potential. I dropped out of the 4 year college I was attending at the time and went to the community college by my home in LA… One day I noticed a bunch of happy cosmetology students holding their mannequin heads and a lightbulb went off in my head. I always loved cutting my friends hair, I just never thought I could make a living doing that. But long story short I took a hair cutting class and knew I wanted to drop everything and be a hairstylist. I still love to model and take photos; I often incorporate hair with this too. As a creative person I feel like it’s important not to limit yourself to one thing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always loved to test my boundaries ever since I was very young. Growing up in a catholic school in a Mexican family there were so many rules and I would always find myself questioning things. I felt like others would always want me to be a certain way but I felt like it was holding me back so I would play around with different looks and practice not getting too comfortable being just one way. When I’m uncomfortable I can always learn something and grow from it. I feel like that sets me apart when it comes to my art because what I create always holds meaning for me and some people may relate to it and some might not and that’s ok too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I work so much that most of the things I like to do are more chill like going to the beach or a park, I love the sun. I would go to a Japanese market before and buy a bunch of our favorite snacks like seaweed potato chips and wasabi peas. We can go to Echo Park and hopefully if we’re lucky someone will be selling agua fresca’s. One of my favorite spots to eat is Sunny Blue on Main Street, my sister took me there once and loved it. I would go there after and get some Omusubi. After that maybe we can go to a brewery and get a beer, I like modelo’s, a good one is the Arts District Brewing Company. I also love going to art shows or museums too. Some of my favorite museums are LACMA and the Hammer Museum because they’re so big.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The most important people that got me through my toughest times would be my sisters, mom, dad and boyfriend. In my hair career there are so many artists that I’ve assisted that have taught me so much not just in hair but in life too that I am so grateful for. One of my mentors is Johnny Ramirez that I learned so much from. I have grown so much traveling and doing hair with the team and I am so grateful to have such amazing experiences. Although there have been some tough times working as a hair stylist, the rewards have been greater and I’ve gained lifelong friends through the hardship. I am now assisting for Cassondra Kaeding, another amazing hair colorist, she’ is such a sweet boss and teaches me new things everyday. I’m so excited for all of the experiences to come.

Instagram: instagram.com/so_phiaflores

Image Credits
Jazell Ricardo Emily De La Torre Brandie Wedderburn Pablo Mendez