In every industry sits someone at the top of their game. It's that fortuitous blend of time, chance, and the diligent drive to chase your damn ambition. Being at the height of his career in his country before turning 30 was not enough to Dimitris Giannetos.

The career goalpost still had space to move; all the way to the other side of the world. A friend living in New York made the city his jumping point. After all, it is always better to live the dream than in regrets. So with no hesitation, the big dreamer chose to pack up his life and leave. Even if he didn't speak the language.

Today, Amal & George Clooney, Brad Pitt, the Kardashians are among the notable credits in his work. And, he's just been nominated at the Emmy Awards.

"Even after all these years in the U.S. and everything I've accomplished, I don't feel like I'm anywhere close to where I want to be in my career or in my life. I still feel like I'm just getting started," he writes.

The celebrity hairstylist is certainly incredibly grateful for the people encountered in his trajectory, but there's this nagging feeling that he still has much to give, more dreams to accomplish and you know, the world to conquer.

Giannetos has typical markings for success, even if he isn't aware. Low aversion to risk, openness to learning through mistakes, and the belief that anything if possible if you work hard and stay positive. So no, there was no specific milestone that feels like he's made a name for himself, despite being the brain behind viral hairstyles for Joey King and Demi Moore. The man still sees himself in the middle of the journey.

That's not to say that there aren't, like the trend for the early 00s, highlights. Becoming a L'Oréal Paris US ambassador was not just another dream turned reality, but a meaningful one for the vocation. And the Clooneys, understandably.

"I was actually in Greece when I got the call to work with them, and I remember feeling so humbled and honored that people I had admired for so long trusted me with their looks," he expresses. The collaborative spirit in his creative process is evident.

"Especially when you're working with celebrities who are going to be in front of the camera, they need to feel confident and comfortable with the way they look. I also work closely with the rest of the team, so being a team player is very important to me. I always want to hear everyone's ideas and opinions, and then I'll share my vision and make recommendations based on what I think works best for the occasion."

There's an understanding of unspoken trust, an underlying foundation that balances a client's vision and expectations with his own concepts. "Creativity is a collaboration, and not everyone is always going to agree. That's part of the process. I believe ego can hold people back. I've found that when you approach with an open mind, respect everyone's opinions, and focus on the shared goal, the ideas come together."

The 44 year old is mostly unfazed, but one surprising request he's ever received was to take a trip to the United Arab Emirates to work with a princess. It was a colour job, but the unique experience and firsthand encounter with a different culture is a day he looks back upon fondly.

Silly as it may sound, hair means much more than giving someone a beautiful blowout. There's a story behind the hair and a purpose for every look. When piecing together a character for the moment–a combination of who a client is and how they want to feel–Giannetos thinks of himself as a creative director for hair.

This is why the industry veteran warns against trying a new cut or colour with someone you don't know or trust. It's a decision to regret, and one that especially rings true before a big event or special occasion.

"I completely understand wanting to look different or extra special, but that isn't always the best time to try something new. It can lead to unexpected results. My advice is to choose the hairstyle that makes you feel your most confident and your most beautiful."

"There’s a lot of advice on social media about what’s good for your hair, and while some of it can be helpful, my biggest piece of advice is to find a hairstyle that truly suits you and stick with it. Don't feel pressured to follow every trend just because it's popular. Trends come and go, but confidence never goes out of style."

The only time confidence became an issue for the Greek native was the very time he embarked to America. "If you asked me what my biggest achievement has been over the 14 years I've lived in the U.S., one of the first things I'd say is learning a new language in my late twenties," he states.

"It was incredibly challenging because when you don't speak the language, it's not just that you can't communicate, you can't fully express yourself. That affects your confidence, and for a while, it feels like you've lost a part of who you are."

Talent was never doubted, but the struggle was real. Restarting in a completely new country meant taking the time to understand how the industry worked, building new relationships and earning the trust of new clients.

Funnily enough, besides improving on his English, Giannetos still desires to learn a new language. French, specifically, because he splits his time between his apartment in Paris and the US. His relationships with loved ones are of utmost importance, and what keeps him going.

Being around people his whole life, it's truly the core of his work. Communicating with people is something he enjoys, and he feels he does best when surrounded by love and good energy. All in moderation, of course. A little more free time to travel for leisure instead of work would certainly be appreciated when it gets too overstimulating.

Right now, Giannetos is working on creating his own line, on top of preparing for the Emmy nomination for Best Hairstylist. It's a long way from beauty school at age 15. He aptly concludes, "It's beyond my wildest dreams, and I can't wait for these exciting moments."

Photography: Norrel Blair
Videography: Elliot Weaver
Fashion Editor: David Martin
Fashion Coordination: Lola Maqueda
General Coordination: Laura Martin
Grooming: Nathaniel Dezan
Casting Directors: ODDA 360
Production: Rodrigo Fernández Rico
Fashion Coordination Assistant: Julia Janeiro
Fashion Assistant: Elizaveta Novikova
Model: Stone T