Maritina Manthopoulou’s punk hairstyles are towering sculptural creations

The Dazed Beauty Community is our ever-expanding encyclopaedia of creatives and emerging talent from across the world who are redefining the way we think about beauty. From supermodels to digital artists to make-up prodigies transforming themselves in their bedrooms, these are the beauty influencers of tomorrow who embody everything Dazed Beauty is about. Discover them here.

For Maritina Manthopoulou beauty doesn’t mean conventionally pretty. It’s a philosophy that shines through in her work: the towering creations in confection pastel shades, the sculptural braids in candelabra-esque shapes, the choppy punk styles in acid neon hues. It’s clear that the 22-year-old Greek hairstylist isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of form, colour and texture – for her, the most important thing is freedom of expression and staying true to her vision. “It might sound a bit cliché but the only one that can limit you, is you,” she says. “So never take anything seriously when experimenting. Aim for originality and keep yourself out of these boxes.” 

Manthopoulou was born into the hair world. Growing up in the northern suburbs of Athens, as a child she would accompany her hairstylist father to hair shows. “I remember assisting the fashion stylists rather than the hairstylists because I didn’t like hairdressing back then,” she says. “I took my time to realise how much I loved hairdressing.” It wasn’t until she became a teenager – when she found herself assisting Efi Davies with one of her avant-garde Toni & Guy shows – that she discovered her passion. “I finally felt like I belonged somewhere,” she says. After that, she started helping out at her dad’s salon on the weekends and after school, learning her craft and spending hours practising the finger waves, braids and ponytails she saw in fashion magazines.

During the pandemic, Manthopoulou started learning the fundamentals of wigs and created her first avant-garde collection. Now based between London and Athens, she has been working on editorials for magazines like Infringe and Nasty, as well as assisting backstage for designers including Tolu Coker and Feben. Earlier this year she created one of her biggest pieces yet for an exhibition in Seoul, among other artists like Chris Habana. Throughout all her work she maintains her commitment to rebellious, joyful, non-conventional and mould-breaking hairstyles. “I am on a continuous journey of self-expression through hair,” she says. “I feel obsessed with the infinite forms hair can take.”

Here, we speak to the hairstylist about her journey, career highlights and a future without micro-trends.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up?

Maritina Manthopoulou: I grew up in the Northern suburbs of Athens, Marousi. Then later on moved to an island in Cyclades, Naxos. As a teen living on an island I was spending a lot of my free time in nature. I liked taking pictures of unusual plants or textures and imagining how it can be transformed into a hair piece. Then later on I moved back to Athens, and now I have my own studio where I’m able to make all my visions come to life.

What is it you do and why do you do it?

Maritina Manthopoulou: I am a hairdresser specialising in session, editorial and avant-garde hair. There are days when I work as a stylist and colourist in a salon, but most of the time I’m in my studio doing hair for editorials, campaigns, collections or exhibitions. 

What is your favourite beauty look of all time?

Maritina Manthopoulou: A look that I think about on a daily basis is the golden armour from Christian Dior Haute Couture AW06 by John Galliano. I instantly fell in love with this look a few years ago when I was watching a sequel of Haute Couture collections. I’m dreaming of wearing it one day.

What is your current obsession?

Maritina Manthopoulou: Jane Asher’s Fancy Dress, published in 1984. It’s basically a DIY costume book, but the way Jane has captured her vision is truly an obsession to me.

When do you feel most beautiful?

Maritina Manthopoulou: When I’m wearing my mom’s Vivienne Westwood platforms and my hair is in the brightest, most intense shade of red. 

What is the future of beauty?

Maritina Manthopoulou: Hopefully no more micro-trends. Or trends in general. I’d like to see people embracing their real style and evolve through it.

You have to replace part of your body with that of an animal or a mythological creature. What do you go for and why?

Maritina Manthopoulou: I always wanted to look taller, so I would swap my legs with a gazelle’s.

You’re the editor of a time-travelling beauty journal 100 years from now, what beauty trends are you reporting on? 

Maritina Manthopoulou: I think technology is evolving pretty rapidly, so realistically it will play a significant role in the future. Changing your appearance in a matter of seconds via an app? Change your hair colour, make-up and style without having to get out of your house? Hopefully not.