Francis Kurkdijan - world-famous parfumer and olfactory innovator - came to London recently, and met with us at his counter at Liberty's. We met him there and discussed the new Elixir collection - launching this month.

Elixirs haven't been used widely as a fragrance form since the 1980s - Maison Francis Kurkdijan revives this time-honoured product in mini roller applicators. The texture is silkier than alcohol, and melts with the warmth of your skin, diffusing the scent gently as you move. It makes applying your favourite MFK perfumes all the more sensual. £85, exclusive to Liberty's.

Text: Grace Timothy

Fresh from London's niche salons and the tutelage of our greatest hairdressing stars, there's a fresh crop of super stylists going backstage at the shows and shoots.

Christian Wood (main image - for Another Magazine)

Assistant to the legendary Sam McKnight, Christian's trademark style is opulence with edge. Collaborating with photographers such as Nick Knight, Sharif Hamza and Max Vadukal, Christian's work has appeared in Vogue, Love, i-D, Another Magazine, Dazed & Confused, The Gentlewoman, W and Interview, as well as campaigns for Hermes and Moschino. Not to mention Because's ICONS tutorials...

Jonathan Soons

Jonathan worked at Toni and Guy for 10 years before starting over as Zoe Irwin's assistant. He is now an Art Director of Headmasters, and has done the hair for shows like PPQ, Aquascutum and Mark Fast, plus shoots for Vogue, ES, Dazed & Confused, Grazia and Marie Claire., and of course Because's Rulebreakers tutorials. He is a trend-hound, always seeking the next biggest thing for his loyal client base, be it a cut, plait or product.

Lacey Hawkins

Lacey has been at cult salon, Percy & Reed since they opened their doors in 2007. A savvy street style hunter, she brings a combination of fashion-forward trends and beautiful Parisian Finishing to the chair. Lacey is Percy & Reed's Shu Uemura Ambassador, and has worked backstage at House of Holland.

Text: Grace Timothy

Michael van Clarke has tousled the tresses of models, celebrities and even royalty over the years from his London salon, and eventually ploughed this vast experience base and expertise into a range of products, touted as anti-ageing for hair. Combining cashmere proteins and amino acids to strengthen hair against the daily onslaught of heat styling and UV light, the products care for each strand to prevent premature breakage - hence the promise of 3 extra inches.

What's the founding philosophy of your brand?

Life extending hair care. Making the very best of the hair you have, not just today but as a lifestyle choice and habit.

What or who inspires you?

Excellence in all fields - art, design, travel, business, nature, music... A life well lived.

How do you conceive new looks?

We are constantly evolving our looks on salon clients, on models for shoots and shows, and amongst ourselves through brainstorming sessions and mood boards.

Which women wear your looks most beautifully?

Our starting point is the individual and how they look and feel. Being able to take them somewhere they never thought possible is what inspires us. Whether they are 8 or 80 doesn't really matter if it transforms the way they look and feel.

Which part of the creative process is your favourite?

At the core is my Diamond Dry Cut. It's the foundation of a hairstyle. The judgement and precision that goes into this will keep the hair looking its best for as long as possible with ease.

In which city are the most beautiful men and women to be found?

I think where you have the combination of people carrying themselves with confidence and making an effort with their personal grooming. Some global cities have this more naturally but I see it most in London now as well as Milan, Paris and New York.

What's next?

We are launching styling products to go with our very successful 3 More Inches capsule range. These will be the staples that professionals keep in their kit bag. A mousse, hairspray and thickening lotion have been developed out of our professional salon products. 

Text: Grace Timothy