As Schwarzkopf Professional Global Editorial Ambassador, Tyler Johnston is the creative fashion brains behind the international haircare giant's bi-annual trend bible, Essential Looks. But when it comes to the question of trends, Tyler believes that the world is way too focused on what's in and what's out. "I think it is important to work with the individual to enhance natural self beauty," Tyler says. "If a person looks hot, then it's definitely a trend - everyone aspires to be desired!" Keeping it real - that's the Tyler Johnston philosophy to a tee. By Jenny Burns.

When a young Tyler Johnston discovered that it was somebody's actual job to make the gorgeous girls on the front cover of Vogue look so good, he decided that session hairdressing was the career for him.

"I had a great job working as art director for the Vidal Sassoon Knightsbridge salon in London, but after a while I realised I didn't want to be working in the salon 24/7," Tyler says. "I wanted to be out doing the cool jobs. So I went solo and started freelancing, doing editorial, advertising campaigns and fashion shows. I never wanted to work for anyone again."

During Tyler's time at Sassoons, he built a strong relationship with Simon Ellis, who left to become Global Image Director for Schwarzkopf Professional. And one day, Simon approached Tyler with an idea of becoming the Schwarzkopf Professional Global Editorial Ambassador.

"The partnership was born with the contradiction of me saying I'd never go corporate again," Tyler laughs. "However Schwarzkopf allowed me to be opened-minded and that's why l agreed to do it. Seven years on and 14 collections later, my goal is to continue to produce breathtaking and real imagery from the catwalk to the industry as an educational and forecasting tool. This is what Essential Looks is all about."

But despite compiling one of the industry's leading hair trend education tools, Tyler isn't too fussed about what's in and what's out at all. For him, it's about real, workable styling that can be interpreted to suit the individual. It's that simple.

"There will always be themes to trends of course, however they will only work and be successful if they are suitable for the person wearing the look," Tyler explains. "I like to create styles that exude beauty with extra edginess, which in turn gives dynamism to each individual. Ideas come from having an individual approach. I believe there needs to be a reality to it all.  Having a strong vision to create an honest reaction within people is always important as it is the reaction to my work that truly inspires me therefore keeps my ideas fresh."

Tyler approaches the creation of each Essential Looks collection holistically. Rather than trying too hard to create a ‘look', he prefers to keep an open-mind and works closely with photographers, designers, stylists and other members of his team to understand their inspiration.

"Essential Looks is based on factual catwalk, fashion-inspired seasonal trends," Tyler clarifies. "I work with designers to build a hair story around their catwalk collections and I study the common threads that weave throughout the global catwalks. Combing this knowledge directly from the fashion runways and from WGSN Internet site, I then develop wearable, commercial reality.

"The trend is a trigger that motivates change. A trend needs to have directional strength as well as a global sense that arouses excitement and emotion. Working across a wide spectrum of markets, trends have to be real and create the desire for people to want to touch and feel it."

Whilst Tyler might not take the movement of trends too seriously, he's certainly been responsible for some memorable moments when it comes to the direction of hair. Who could forget the buzz surrounding David Beckham's Mohican haircut in 2001, created by Tyler in David's very own kitchen.

"The Mohican has been to date my most memorable haircut," Tyler says. "Why? Because it has become the most talked about men's hairstyle in history. I cut David's hair in his kitchen and talked to him about creating a new image for him that would totally change the way he was viewed. It was about working with hard lines and cool strength. Neither of us knew at that moment the impact and reaction it would have around the world, from the local continental barber to the kid on the street to the highest end of fashion. It was all about the reaction achieved through change - and a great image."

Trends, no matter if fashion or hair or street culture, usually do the full circle over time, but require a slight tilt to bring them forward into the future. It's like taking a 60s influence, but adding a twist to modernise it and make it current rather than retro. Fashion is not always about breaking strong boundaries, something that Tyler embraces wholeheartedly.

"I get inspired by so many things," he says. "My kids and my family are what truly inspire me on a daily basis, but people in general keep me humming along. Sometimes the wrong things about people's hair are the great things - like the old neighbour who wears a backcombed perm. This is inspiring, it's real. People who excel in their own field, such as artists, sports personalities, an actor or a fashion designer, all inspire me as I like finding out what makes them tick.

"Youth culture is big on my list of inspiration. I have had a strong connection with the youth market; this is where trends are always emerging and keep on evolving. Youth culture keeps it real. These guys are the true innovators of style because they are not contrived.  They wear their style and carry it with confidence and originality."

Such a connection with youth has made Tyler Johnston an inspirational hero for many young stylists across the globe, some of whom have been fortunate enough to work with this editorial ambassador on the compilation of Schwarzkopf's Essential Looks collections twice a year. And whilst many young people would happily donate a body part to be a part of Tyler's fashion editorial team, what qualities does he look for in a dedicated team member?

"As teamwork is the most vital part of hair for any show, a good assistant must have an honest passion to be taught, to learn and to do," explains Tyler. "They are working to gain knowledge and experience, but must also have respect for who they are working for and with. In saying that, it is important to have the strength to say if they can or can't do something. They have to be dedicated and have the will to invest their time into the craft. They have to love the profession inside out."

Tyler plans to tap into the US market next, since most of his work has been based in Europe. Also on his to-do list is another working experience back in Australia. But no matter where he might be based geographically, his main aim is to continually be inspired, both professionally and personally.

"I like to challenge myself by trying other creative mediums," he says. "I'd like that to include personal projects such as cartoon imagery and film, as well as art-based stuff working with Tracy Emin and David Bailey. I want to create reactions, learn, be interested in people, try things I have not yet explored and most importantly, enjoy my kids and the special moments. These are my plans for the future."