Artist Spotlight on Mick Lewis

Mick Lewis (@hairbymickk) is a name well known in the salon industry.

Many recognize his name from the scroll-stopping looks he shares on Instagram, but Lewis is also recognized as a leading industry educator and the owner of Denver salon Craft Collective (@craftcollective). He is a U.S. educator for Truss Professional and an award winning stylist. However, his road to all of these achievements wasn’t always clear and required hard work and dedication. Lewis sat down with Beauty Launchpad so we could learn about his path, his challenges and where he finds inspiration for his beautiful work.

Early Experience

After high school, Lewis started his journey by first going to college. Though he had a feeling early on it wasn’t for him, it wasn’t until his third year that he decided to switch courses and go to cosmetology school. He got into the Aveda Institute and moved to Denver, later getting his license. “I got started in 2007. I went to college for a couple of years. I had a friend that was going to hair school, so I looked into it and went for it. I haven’t looked back since,” he noted.

He decided that he wanted to continue learning out of school and agreed to an apprenticeship with the owners of Pompadours in Boulder, Colorado for a year. After moving to San Francisco in 2011, he began working for Cinta Salon. Lewis participated in the salon’s cut and color program to develop his knowledge while getting behind the chair experience. Lewis moved back to Denver in 2014, and after working to build his clientele in a few salons over the next four years started feeling frustrated.

Shifting Perspective

Lewis exuded passion for his craft early on, but after a decade behind the chair, he felt his passion waning. “I was always one of those stylists who was breathing fire. I loved the industry so much. All I knew how to talk about was the industry. In 2018, I lost all passion for doing hair. I was working in a salon that was not inspiring to me, around people who didn’t seem to love their job. My flame was completely put out.” So, Lewis went out to reignite his flame and attended a 901 Academy class in lived-in color [one of his specialties now] and started his Instagram account @hairbymickk. “I came back to Denver more excited about hair than I have ever been. I opened an Instagram account and have been breathing fire in the industry ever since,” he shares.

Shortly thereafter, he met his future husband, who encouraged him to think differently. He decided if he couldn’t find a salon working environment that fit him, he would build it, and Craft Collective was born.

A Vision Come to Life

Though Lewis didn’t always dream of opening his own salon, he needed a space that was passionate about hair and encouraged the collaboration he hungered for. This led to the creation of Craft Collective in 2020, where the name says it all. Lewis wanted the name to inspire teamwork. He chose Craft Collective to reflect “the push and pull to learn the art of hair together.”

But, the name was only part of the equation. Lewis wanted to create a salon space that was different, that reflected his taste without being overly masculine. Lewis sought out a space in Denver’s Clayton neighborhood that had once been a medical supplies storage for WWII, and he used that industrial vibe to his advantage. Though the space was given a fresh coat of paint, they kept the original brick walls and unfinished concrete floor. He added skylights to flood the space with light for the stylists, along with floor-to-ceiling retractable door for an open-air work environment. He also created work stations that looked like individual vanities, a nod to the custom looks that the stylists create. In 2023, Craft Collective won the Hot Shot Award from Behind The Chair for Salon Decor. Craft Collective was Lewis’ vision come to life, he just needed to build the right team.

A Collaborative Team 

Lewis’ hope for Craft Collective was to build a team of amazing stylists that loved to work together. Essentially, he wanted to create the team that he always wanted to be a part of. Craft Collective TeamCourtesy of Mick Lewis

Lewis built a team of 10, and he is proud of the hard work they have put in. He has eight stations at the salon, home to stylists Glory (@glorified.hair), Maggie (@manes_bymags), Jami (@jamirayburghair), Sami (@sami.hair), Michelle (@hairby_michellesavic), Kayla Mae (@kaylamae.hair), Preslee (@presleehair), Lauren (@laurenaustin_stylist), assistant Garrett (@hairbygarrett) and himself.

“I think managing people in the salon can be difficult,” Lewis shares. “There are a lot of big personalities in this industry. I have just always treated people with kindness.”

Choosing A Specialty

Just looking at Lewis’ Instagram, you can see he has a knack for brunettes. “My specialty is brunettes. The majority of my clientele are brunette. I lived in San Francisco for a time, and that is where I developed my love for darker hair.” Lewis also specializes in lived-in color and haircutting, and he has surrounded himself with a staff that round out those specialties. Lewis has won the Hot Shot Award from Behind The Chair for Balayage in 2023 and the 2022 Hot Shot Award for Collaboration with Matt Swinney (@matt.swinney). Lewis credits collaboration as an inspiration for many of his looks. “I find a lot of inspiration through collaborating with other artists,” he notes, adding, “A lot of my inspiration comes from the fashion industry. I love Vogue, Bazaar and Elle.”

Industry Outlook

Now that Lewis has built his home and found his calling in hair, the future looks as bright as ever, but he doesn’t regret any of the kinks along the road that have brought him here. “I don't think I would change anything about my journey. It has gotten me to where I am today, and I am very thankful for that.”

And as a lifelong student, Lewis plans to keep learning and honing his craft, and encourages others new stylists to do the same. “Be humble and know that you can always be better, even years down the road. Keep learning, and do an apprenticeship with an artist you admire,” adds Lewis.

As far as the road ahead for salon, Lewis sees a shift in color. “Everything is a little more monochromatic and not so high contrast. Also the money piece is out, but we are still loving brightness around the face.”

And his biggest advice for success in the salon industry? “Work hard, be kind, stay educated on what’s current, and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.”