Chaz Dean
Celebrity Hairstylist: Bravo & QVC Star
By Nadia Sayej
New Documentary
In sunny Los Angeles, where the skyline is as much defined by its bumper-to-bumper traffic, there’s more time to ponder the city’s billboards than we realize.
One figure stands out with a distinct presence: Chaz Dean, with his striking blond highlights, meticulously groomed stubble, piercing icy blue eyes, and a touch of signature eyeliner. He is always on the streets as a constant presence in L.A.’s billboard landscape, and it’s hard to miss Dean’s gigantic billboards that loom across Los Angeles.
The dramatic visuals of Chaz Dean Studio billboards across Los Angeles have cultivated a cult following within L.A., blending seamlessly into the cultural tapestry of the city. Typically, it’s common to spot Halloween revelers donning costumes inspired by these iconic billboards, paying homage to Dean’s unique aesthetic, others question who he is. This phenomenon underscores not just an advertisement but a cultural statement that resonates deeply with Angelenos.
Founder of WEN Hair Care
The celebrity hairstylist and founder of WEN hair care embarked on this billboard journey back in 2015. He was initially inspired by Angelyne’s ubiquitous billboards around Los Angeles when he first moved from Vermont. “I saw the power of Angelyne’s billboards in the 1990s, it made you wonder who she is, as a person,” said Dean. “It wasn’t a celebrity you knew; you just knew her billboards were everywhere. You wondered, ‘who is this person?’ It weighed heavily on me.”
Dean sought to capture that same essence and intrigue that had fascinated him. His approach was simple yet profound – switch up the billboards every season to keep his haircare brand and salons fresh, interesting, and current.
“I have been doing my billboards for 13 years now,” said Dean. “People joke: ‘You know the seasons change in LA when the Chaz Dean billboards change.’” From celebrating Pride Month with a massive rainbow flag backdrop to showcasing different hair product campaigns throughout the year, each billboard is meticulously crafted to spark curiosity and wonder.
For the uninitiated, Chaz Dean is a hairstylist, TV icon and founder of the WEN Hair & Body Care products. He prioritizes powering all of his vegan products by botanicals, and bringing out the natural beauty in everyone who uses his products.
“No Poo” (no shampoo) Movement
As a stylist, he wants to push the beauty world beyond the conventional approach, which is why he founded WEN Hair & Body Care, to offer a more holistic approach to hair, skin, and body care. His bestselling product is his Cleansing Conditioner, which he created in 1993, a first-ever, universal 5-in-1 product that acted as a shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler, and leave-in conditioner without damaging the hair. He was a major trailblazer in the “no poo” (no shampoo) movement.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Alyssa Milano
His celebrity-loved brand has seen stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Alyssa Milano use his products, and today, his brand spans over 700 products, and has sold well over 200 million bottles over the past 10 years, making it one of the largest brands on QVC. He has a full range of styling products, skincare, body care, lip care, fragrance, home, men’s, kids, and pet care, and there are two Chaz Dean salons, one in Los Angeles, another in New York City.
Dean’s captivating story with billboards caught the eye of filmmaker Scott Lazer who directs “Chaz Dean: Billboards,” a documentary tracing Dean’s journey through billboard culture in Los Angeles. The film delves into behind-the-scenes moments and features an exclusive interview with Chaz Dean himself on his influence within this unique L.A. tradition.
During our conversation with Dean about his involvement in this documentary project, it became clear that his passion for these visual spectacles goes beyond mere advertising. They are expressions of creativity and evolution – both personal and professional. By attending photo shoots for upcoming billboards alongside director Scott Lazer, viewers will get an unparalleled glimpse into the creative process behind these larger-than-life images that dot Los Angeles’ landscape.
Dean’s commitment to keeping his billboard imagery fresh reflects not only on his brand philosophy but also on his understanding of Los Angeles’ ever-changing dynamic culture. “I always want to leave people wondering what’s coming next,” he muses about his approach towards each seasonal changeover.
Film Festivals
Expect to see “Chaz Dean: Billboards” at film festivals soon. This documentary isn’t just about celebrating a successful advertising strategy; it’s about exploring how artistry can intersect with commerce in ways that touch upon deeper societal connections.
“Chaz Dean: Billboards” stands as a vivid reminder that amidst Los Angeles’ vast expanse lies stories waiting to be told; stories not just penned down but also plastered across its skies – towering testaments to dreams realized under its sunlit canopy.
“My hairstyle generally changes on each billboard,” said Dean. “Sometimes I’m blonde, other times I’m brunette, I play with long and short looks. It’s all part of my brand to make you wonder what’s coming next.”
chazdean.com
