For hair stylist Andrew Fitzsimons, who styled Kylie Jenner’s hair for Monday’s Met Gala, manning the “glam” of one of the biggest stars on the biggest night in fashion — who is also known for working standout beauty looks and is making her red-carpet debut with her famous significant other, Travis Scott — is like any other day on the job.
“I always feel pressure, because the eyes of the world are on my clients every single day,” he said on a call on May 8. “They’re always being photographed, and every detail is being judged. I want to make them look as good as they possibly can, and I’m a perfectionist.”
He’s worked with all of the Kardashian-Jenner women (Kris included), Bella Hadid, Joan Smalls and Shay Mitchell.
He said posting behind-the-scenes coverage is a surefire way for hair stylists and makeup artists to earn Instagram fans — ”People want real insight into what happens on set” he said — but he prefers to be more discreet about what he shares. “I’m really focused on what I’m doing when I’m working,” he said. “Plus putting a camera in my clients’ faces all the time isn’t my job.”
Instead, he typically shares the products and techniques he used to achieve a style. “I want to do what I can to educate [my followers],” he said. If Jenner’s lip kit sales are any indication, beauty fans want to get her look.
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Fitzsimmons kept a record of his “first Monday in May,” which included a SoulCycle class, hotel hopping and cheering on Jenner from the steps of the Met.
8:00 a.m.: I was up late working last night, so I order coffee to my hotel room the moment I wake up. I review a bunch of final images of Kylie’s dress to get prepped for the day. The dress is gorgeous. It’s sleek and simple, yet bold and eye-catching at the same time. The moment I saw it, I knew we had to do something like a ponytail or a bun to keep the silhouette very sleek and clean. Ultimately, we decided on a bun centered in the back of the head with some intentional texture to give it a bit of an effortless vibe; the look was a collaboration between myself, [Jenner’s dress designer] Alexander Wang and Kylie. It is a real departure from her normal, super-glam style — she is known for extreme hair styles and wigs — but it is still young, cool and fashion. We wanted to showcase her beauty and the beauty of the dress, without overpowering it. And we wanted to complement the cool accessories, including a pair of crystal glasses, with a little bit of texture.
9:30 a.m.: I can get a little nervous on big days like this, so I decide to work out to clear my head. I rope my team — my agent, my publicist and my assistant — into an early SoulCycle class (some go more willingly than others), which is one of my favorite workouts. Being in a creative field, I’m constantly thinking about a thousand different things and being pulled in all different directions, so working out is a really great way for me to focus and press reset; it’s my version of meditation.
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11:00 a.m.: We leave the gym and decide to grab a quick bite at Sant Ambroeus, one of my favorite breakfast spots in the city. Confession: I’ve eaten here three times since being back in NY this week. I lived in NY for six years, but I now live in West Hollywood with my boyfriend, Jeffrey. It’s always so good to come home. Over an Americano with almond milk and a croissant, we reminisce about Met Gala moments and on my personal Met Gala journey. I first did Kendall’s hair for the Met Gala in 2015, I worked with Joan Smalls and Olivia Culpo in 2016, Ashley Graham and Joan Smalls in 2017 and now Kylie this year. My publicist and I review the interviews lined up for late tonight. Everyone’s really excited for Kylie’s first red carpet in a while, and I’m so excited for her.
12:30 p.m.: My publicist and I have a quick call with the team at Alterna Haircare to brainstorm ideas for the one-year anniversary of the Trans Cosmetic Donation Program that’s coming up this summer. The TCDP is a charitable donation program I co-founded with the LA LGBT Center: Beauty professionals can donate their extra personal-care products to the Center, which they then distribute to the various organizations they work with serving the trans community, particularly trans women of color. I first wanted to start this program because brands were sending me endless products — so much that I couldn’t even keep up with the amount of packages at my door, let alone work everything into my kit.
1:30 p.m.: I arrive at Kylie’s hotel to set up my kit and prepare for glam. I only partner with brands I really love, so I’m really excited that for this year’s Gala, I’m working with Paul Mitchell. I grab a few behind-the-scenes pictures and Boomerangs for my Instagram and for my Instagram takeover with Paul Mitchell. The glam team and I chat for a bit while everyone gets set up; there’s a nervous but excited and really positive energy in the room.
2:15 p.m.: We get started on the glam process. Time seems to move faster during glam; everyone is super focused and working together on a common goal. And we all work together almost every day, so it’s always a great atmosphere.
4:00 p.m.: The entire team relocates to a hotel closer to the event for Kylie to get dressed. She slips into her dress, then we do some final touch-ups to get ready for the big moment!
4:45 p.m.: Another quick cup of coffee. Thank goodness for room service!
7:30 p.m.: It’s time to get everyone loaded onto the bus to take Kylie, Travis [Scott] and Alexander [Wang] to the Gala. Everyone should take a party busy to the Met Gala!
8:00 p.m. Ariel [Tejada, Jenner’s makeup artist] and I do some finishing touches at the Met’s steps, then we stay and cheer as Kylie, Travis and Alex make their entrance. Right after we drop them off, I call my team to give them all the details of the look needed for media inquiries.
9:30 p.m.: We all arrive back at our hotel in Soho for a quick bite to eat. Time for some well-deserved pasta!
11:00 p.m.: I get back to my hotel room and order a glass of champagne for me and for my assistant to toast another amazing Met Gala. We spend a few minutes cleaning out our kit from the day and repacking for tomorrow’s jobs.
12:00 a.m.: My assistant heads to her own room, and I Facetime Jeffrey. He has already seen Kylie’s look, so I catch him up on the rest of the day and we chat about some of the other amazing looks at the Gala — we’re the biggest Lana Del Rey fans, and we were so gagged to see her red-carpet look!
12:30 a.m.: Finally, I crash. I’ve got an early call time tomorrow!
