Bumble and bumble, the New York City Salon, hair care and styling brand, announced the appointment of Bumble and bumble Editorial Stylist Laurent Philippon to the newly created role of global artistic director. The appointment takes effect July 1, 2014, and his creative and artistic impact will be felt across the entire brand.

Philippon has spent more than 20 years working with Bumble and bumble on a wide array of activities. A former apprentice to legendary icons Alexandre de Paris and Julien d’Ys, he is a master of the craft of hairdressing, from classic French techniques to modern deconstructionist creativity.

From this impressive base of both technical and creative skill, Philippon will provide essential influence on education, creative imagery, product development, the Bumble and bumble New York City salons, and, of course, the company’s editorial and fashion work. Laurent will continue to be based in Paris and pursue his editorial career, while maintaining a strong presence with the New York-based Bumble and bumble team.

“I’m thrilled that Laurent will be taking on this new and expanded role with Bumble and bumble,” says Peter Lichtenthal, president, Bumble and bumble. “Over the past 20 years, Laurent’s contributions to Bumble and bumble have been immeasurable; from creative imagery both for the brand and in the editorial fashion world, to creating some of the most iconic styling products on the market today. His taste level is exquisite and he has unsurpassed talent. Laurent’s touch will be felt throughout all aspects of our company, but most notably, in our Bb. Salon Network.”

Over the past 20 years with Bumble and bumble, Philippon’s influence can be seen across the entire brand. He is a prolific product developer, creating some of Bumble and bumble’s most iconic products, such as Hair Powder, prêt-à-powder, the Sumo family of styling products, Styling Lotion and Spray de Mode.

He has led the Bumble and bumble backstage team in New York and Paris on such designer fashion shows as Ralph Rucci, Karen Walker, BCBG, Herve Leger, Cedric Charlier, Lacoste, Guy Laroche and Rick Owens. Laurent’s knowledge of classic French hairdressing techniques form the basis of Bumble and bumble University’s styling curriculum. He is the author of Hair Fashion and Fantasy, the recently published book now used by industry insiders as the guide-to-have for beauty, past and present.

“I’ve spent so much of my life in the Bumble and bumble family that it is a great honor to assume the role I have been given,” says Philippon. “I’m looking forward to delving even deeper into the brand and am excited to share the new vision I have for Bumble and bumble with hairdressers around the world.”

To celebrate Laurent’s new role, Laurent and a team of key Bumble and bumble stylists will visit select cities across the country with a network salon event called Voice + Vision, beginning this summer in Los Angeles and Chicago.

“I know that our tradition of industry-leading creativity is in extraordinary hands with Laurent,” added Lichtenthal. “His unique understanding of the past and future of hairdressing, which has always been the foundation of Bumble and bumble, will lead us forward.”