The B Side

Traditionally, the B side refers to the flip side of a record.

They pull the references, scour the archives, and paint the picture you see on the big screen.

The celebrity, model, or actor is the single with the most airtime.

Shay Mitchell getting touched up by glam team

But the glam team?

Theyre the producers, conductors, friends, and family members.

For lack of a less ubiquitous phrase, they make it work.

The Holiday Issue: Shay Mitchell B Loop 1

Because the origin of a look is just as important as the look itself.

The backstory deserves its hard-earned glory.

First, an iconic updo with extra volume and numerous bows.

The Holiday Issue: Shay Mitchell B Loop 3

This bold choice perfectly complemented Shay and made her sparkle.

On working with Shay…

Working with Shay is a dream come true.

The Holiday Issue: Shay Mitchell B Loop 7

Her love for glam makes the entire process truly amazing.

We are collaborative, and its a seamless team effort when discussing the look were going for.

Her enthusiasm and openness make the process amazing!

On his early years and starting his career in beauty…

Even in my earliest memories, Ive always been obsessed with hair.

When I was 7 years old, I remember playing with my moms and sisters hair.

However, expressing my desire to become a hairstylist was challenging as a young boy.

I told my family I wanted to be a barber so I could attend beauty school.

At barber school, I discovered an overwhelming love for working with hair.

Hairstyling, to me, is inspirational, but lacking resources in the industry made the journey even harder.

What helped me was my fearlessness.

I was never afraid to take risks, a trait that has stayed with me to this day.

Frankly, I cant imagine doing anything else in my life.

Hair isnt just my passion; its my entire existence.

Working with him was transformative.

He imparted invaluable knowledge about hairstyling and also provided insight into the world of fashion.

Guidos mentorship altered my perspective on hair and beauty.

Being a part of his team was not just a professional experience but a life-changing opportunity.

It’s that moment when you gaze at yourself in the mirror and a genuine smile appears.

Beauty became my source of confidence.

As a kid, I battled constant insecurity and bullying.

However, stepping into the beauty industry changed my narrative.

Through the art of making others feel beautiful, I found my own confidence.

I discovered my purpose.

It wasnt merely a job; it was a special way to empower people and boost their self-esteem.

On his mentors and icons…

My two mentors in the industry are Maria Menounos and Charly Shahin.

I met Maria in Greece, and after that, she introduced me to Hollywood.

She not only opened doors but also provided guidance into the heart of the entertainment industry.

My second mentor, Charly Shahin from Opus Beauty, was my first agent in the United States.

He was the first person in this industry to believe in my talent.

I have quite a few beauty icons who have influenced me and my style.

Our vision for this cover story is a bold and artistic departure from traditional holiday aesthetics.

Working with Shay has truly been a dream come true for any fashion stylist.

During fittings, we blend exciting creations from emerging designers with couture pieces from top names in the industry.

Shays charm, charisma, and kindness make her an absolute pleasure to work with.

In every sense, shes the best!

On his early years and starting his career in fashion…

Fashion has held my fascination since my early years, intriguing and captivating me.

I hustled my way through numerous odd jobs as I pursued my passion for fashion.

They instilled in me the importance of having a clear sense of purpose and being a committed team player.

This experience served as a powerful reminder that hard work and dedication do indeed yield rewarding results.

I consider myself fortunate to have built my own career with a distinct visual and styling signature.

Its a testament to the idea that hard work and determination can lead to remarkable success.

I embarked on a journey to build a brand-new career in the United States.

Looking back, I couldnt be happier with that choice.

It was a bold step that pushed me to continuously strive to become the best version of myself.

On what fashion means to him and how its empowered him throughout his life…

It may sound like a cliche, but my passion truly means the world to me.

Fashion today is a whirlwind of change, with new trends and developments happening all the time.

Its crucial to stay nimble and agile to keep the ideas flowing.

But at the same time, you cant lose touch with the fundamentals.

Its a fast-paced journey thats both invigorating and full of discovery.

Inspiration can come from so many various sources.

For me, my mom has always been my guiding light.

Her unwavering work ethic ensured we had everything we needed, even when things were tough.

I never felt like we were lacking anything.

Their work has shaped my vision.

These varied inspirations have all played a vital role in shaping my career and my creative outlook.

Tilda Swinton and Pina Bausch.