Cochran grew up in small town South Dakota—far from the cultures of art and fashion he’d eventually find himself interested in. His gateway was music—and he describes his love and passion for music as the vehicle that led him to begin experimenting with hair by the time he was in high school. We spoke to Cochran about how he got his start in hair (and wound up dropping out of culinary school in the process), what authenticity means to him, and more.
By day and by trade I am a salon owner and stylist. Though I have always considered myself to be more than just a stylist. At the risk of sounding trite, I do consider myself to be an artist. I live the boho lifestyle to the fullest and see potential to create in any and all situations I am put in.
Hair kinda got into me. I grew up in a small town in South Dakota where fashion and art were very far away. With the internet only in its infancy, the only real format that seemed to bridge that gap for me, was music. Musicians who captivated me had a very profound impact on my identity. This is when I started to explore cutting my own hair, which led to my close friends in highschool. My mother suggested I consider hair as a future career, and said I should attend cosmetology classes.
I eventually moved to Minneapolis MN, to attend culinary school. But, deep down, I did want to become a hairstylist. As luck would have it, I lived near a salon owned by Denny Kemp. It was lavish, and looked more like the MOMA than it did a salon. Needless to say, I was curious. I needed a part-time job to make ends meet so I decided to apply for a front desk position. Just like that I was hired, and within a month of employment, I unenrolled from culinary school and enrolled in The Aveda Institute. It was soon after that I would discover my boss, Denny Kemp, was a Creative Director for Aveda. After I graduated, I became his assistant.
Authenticity to me is something that can’t really be taught. It's hard to put your finger on what it means to be ‘authentic.’ On the flipside, you can spot inauthenticity a mile away. Authenticity seems to have a soul—it cannot be replicated nor stolen, it seems to have a life of its own.
Art has captured so many instances of incredible, timeless, authentic hair. You can go back centuries and look at paintings and see this as well. Some of these photos and paintings showcase beauty that could be from any era and still stand the test of time.
Culture and the arts speak to me on so many levels. Interior design, music, and photography have shaped me to become the person I am. I have always been a seeker. Traveling all over the world observing culture makes me feel very alive.
I would have to say bohemian through and through. This is definitely a way of life as much as it is a style. What really makes for great bohemian style is the mixing of any and all styles. I lift and borrow from practically any and all genres.
I am thrilled! Authentic Beauty Concept is clean, minimal, and straightforward. The branding caught my eye from the get go. Once I got my hands on the product, I was sold. When it comes to one product I use most I would have to say the Shaping Cream. I use it on wet and dry hair. It is just as great of a foundation product as it is a finishing one.
