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During this time, Emma-Louise started a Higher National Degree in architecture and
interior design. But while she was thriving in her studies, she found she had no time
for make-up and so was forced into making a choice between the two. Disappointed to
lose her, her lecturers told her that being a make-up artist wasn’t ‘a real job’, which only
served to make Emma-Louise more determined to succeed. ‘Christopher and I had similar
experiences of being told we weren’t good enough – I think that’s why we found an
affinity with each other and why we are so driven.’

Emma-Louise devoted herself to developing her style, quickly becoming known for her

tonal looks and bespoke approach; ‘I never repeat the same look. I examine each client’s
face and use make-up to enhance their natural beauty. I always want them to look like
themself, just the best possible version!’ With more time to devote to her passion,
Emma-Louise had never been busier. From clients and weddings to commercial work
and brand projects, the opportunities kept coming. In November 2020, shortly before
lockdown, she was approached by ghd to work on a live event with British Vogue. It was
a pinnacle moment in her career; not that she realised it at the time! ‘It was Christopher
that pointed it out’ she says. ‘When it came out, it was incredible. Apart from the salon,
it’s the biggest achievement of my career.’

Opening a salon with Christopher felt like a natural career move for Emma-Louise, who
was looking for her next challenge. Fuelled by her passion to bring their joint vision to
life, Emma-Louise set about securing the salon location. ‘I didn’t think building our own
salon would even be an option’ she says. But after noticing the plot, she got in touch with
the landlord and persisted in contacting him for regular updates. It paid off when he gave
the pair the go ahead to build their dream salon destination. ‘I think people thought we
were crazy, but he really believed in our vision.’

It was Emma-Louise’s mum who helped come up with the salon name. ‘We wanted to
sum up what we believe in. “Collective” is about bringing creative people together, about

encouraging each other and believing in the same goals.’

Emma-Louise’s passion for architecture and interiors has helped bring this vision to life
but she’s had to fit paint charts and flooring samples around an increasingly busy work
schedule. Regular freelance work with ghd sees her travelling to London and she is fully
booked for weddings for the next three years! But despite a hectic diary, Emma-Louise is
still on the lookout for more opportunities and would love to shoot with big e-commerce
fashion brands.

Opening in August 2021, November Collective is a state-of-the-art hair and beauty
destination in buzzy Livingston, a short distance from Edinburgh. The salon has been built
from scratch to the duo’s specifications and spans an impressive 150 square metres over
two floors, with space for up to ten styling stations and six make-up artists. Created to
offer a bespoke service to a diverse clientele, both Christopher and Emma-Louise want the
salon to provide ‘a sensory experience’ that adjusts to each client’s individual needs.