What She Does: Carol Simmons is known for her work as a hair stylist. She's handled the tresses of hundreds of models at various events, including fashion shows showcasing Azreal's Accomplice lines. She also does wedding hair, and admits that between goth fashion shows and bridal dos the brides are usually the more outlandish.
Simmons is also the Docent/Volunteer Coordinator for the Orange Show, the non-profit art foundation that is behind the Art Car Parade. She helps keep the monuments open and manages the staff that work them as well as give guided tours at both locations.
Why She Likes It: As anyone who works out of their home will tell you, the ability to set your own hours is one of the best things about being self-employed. She maintains a small, exclusive clientele for her services. When it comes to her work with the Orange Show, her passion is preserving folk art for public consumption.
What Inspires Her: "My personal look has always been retro inspired, spanning the '20s to the '60s. That probably doesn't make sense, but my personal motto is 'Every day is a new excuse to wear a costume.' For my clients, I am inspired by them. I love figuring out what will be the best look for them with the least amount of effort. I know that most people don't want to spend hours in front of the mirror everyday."
If Not This, Than What: One of Simmons' favorite projects is coordinating the Art Car Parade. The event has grown to huge proportions from its humble beginnings in the '80s, and now features hundreds of cars from more than twenty states. It, and other work for the Orange Show is more and more becoming the focus of her artistic life than hair styling.
If Not Here, Then Where?: "The middle of nowhere. Maybe something a little like Truvy's in Steel Magnolias. I have this sick fantasy about having a self sustainable ranch and living off the grid."
What's Next: Currently, Simmons is working on a website redesign. Though she won't be abandoning her cut and color clients, she wants to begin focusing more on bridal work. She jokes about her love of marriages and weddings, seeing as she is currently on her third and final one.
"Now, I wouldn't say that I have had to deal with any Bridezillas, but I have saved the day a time or two. I used to work with a make-up artist. She would book these weddings and contract me to do the styling. Once she called me frantic needing me to head to Richmond (Texas, not the strip). I headed out to find two junior make up artists swamped with a bride and seven bridesmaids. The wedding was in less than two hours and they were still on their first faces. I managed eight updos in two hours with a few minutes to spare. I even got the bride down the aisle."
More Creatives for 2012 (In order of most recently published; click here for the full page).
Joseph "JoeP" Palmore, actor, poet Greg Carter, director Kenn McLaughlin, theater director Justin Whitney, musician Antone Pham, tattoo artist Susie Silbert, crafts Lauralee Capelo, hair designer Marisol Monasterio, flamenco dancer Carmina Bell, promoter and DJ ReShonda Tate Billingsley, writer Kiki Lucas, choreographer and director J.J. Johnston, theater director Mary Margaret Hansen, artist Richard Tallent, photographer Viswa Subbaraman, opera director Emily Sloan, sculptor and performance artist Sonja Roesch, gallery owner Enrique Carreón-Robledo, conductor Sandy Ewen, musician Camella Clements, puppeteer Wade Wilson, gallery owner Magid Salmi, photographer Carl Williams, playwright
