Meet Mike Desir, The Man Behind Alia Bhatt, Isha Ambani and Kareena’s Iconic Hairstyles

From London to Paris to Mumbai, renowned hair stylist Mike Desir has been winning hearts with his iconic hairstyles. Be it the Netflix TV series Emily in Paris or the Ambani wedding, Mike has created magic on and off screen with his hair styling.

An inspiration for aspiring hairstylists, Mike’s aesthetics has made him a favourite among Bollywood celebrities.From Alia Bhatt to Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mike’s aesthetics has made him a favourite among Bollywood celebrities. He recently styled Isha Ambani’s hair for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding festivities in July 2024.

An inspiration for aspiring hairstylists, Mike shares with News18 about his experience working with celebrities, bringing his creative vision to India and what hair looks will never go out of style.

Has celebrity hairstyling seen a boom in recent years and what has changed in the profession?

When I arrived in India four years ago, represented by ANIMA (Anima Creatives), I aimed to bring a French touch and creativity to hair fashion. I wanted to introduce new textures, shifting from the traditional wavy styles to more edgy and modern looks, including unique hair separations and wet looks. It’s gratifying to see that both the fashion and Bollywood industries have embraced these changes positively.

You styled Isha Ambani and Alia Bhatt for Anant Ambani wedding celebrations, walk us through their iconic hair looks.

Working with Isha Ambani and Alia Bhatt for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’’s wedding was a beautiful experience . They are both such lovely individuals. For Isha, I wanted to create hairstyles she hadn’t tried before. I styled an elegant updo with accessories and a half-up, half-down wavy look paired with a vintage brooch. Another look featured a twisted updo with hair cascading down her neck, complemented by a hair accessory.

For Alia, who wore a 160-year-old Ashavali sari, I played with floral elements, using roses and traditional jasmine flowers in innovative ways to adorn her bun.

How was the experience working with Isha Ambani and how would you describe her approach to creative hairstyling?

Isha was a truly lovely person to work with. She provided me with her preferences regarding whether she wanted her hair styled up or down. Once we discussed those initial directions, she completely trusted me to use my creativity and expertise to design her looks. This trust allowed me to experiment and craft unique hairstyles for her, incorporating accessories and elegant touches that complemented her style and the wedding’s grandeur. Her openness and confidence in my work made the experience both enjoyable and creatively fulfilling.

What’s the difference between styling celebrities on and off screen? Any fun hair moments with celebs you will cherish forever?

I feel that Indian celebrities are very warm and caring, making it feel like we are working with family. Everyone is so nice and lovely. I remember, often Kareena Kapoor would ask about me, wondering where I was and why I hadn’t eaten while on shoot. She has even brought non-spicy food for me in her vanity van. These behind-the-scenes moments are truly special and I loved the genuine humanity and kindness I experienced in India each time.

What advice would you give aspiring hairstylists?

I always say: keep practising and looking for new ideas. Create mood boards that fit the celebrity you’re working with or express the moods you want to showcase as a hairstylist. I still practise and try out new products as much as I can.

Hair looks you would think will never go out of style and what’s in this year?

Short hair has definitely become a major trend this year. Bob haircuts, in particular, are making a big impact. Many people are opting for natural textures combined with a touch of waviness to create a stylish, modern look. This blend of classic and contemporary styles is resonating widely and is being embraced by both celebrities and the general public.