Freestyle Vision Project – London, the City that Became a Film Set

It was a warm August morning — one of those rare ones in London when the sun shines brightly and the sky is clear. The streets had a cinematic quality: warm light bounced off the red brick townhouses, and black cabs passed double-decker buses. The morning was crisp and luminous, as if London itself had paused the rain for this day. The Freestyle Vision Project began at a hotel right next to Hyde Park — a place where the elegance of old London met the pulsing rhythm of the modern metropolis. Through the windows, you could see the green crowns of the park’s trees, and in the distance, the hum of traffic and the chime of bicycle bells drifted in. Inside the hotel, a different kind of buzz filled the air. No honking cars or street noise — just the soft whir of hair dryers, the clinking of brushes being set down, and voices breaking the calm:

“Tilt your head… just a second… perfect.”

By morning, the hotel rooms had transformed into vibrant studios. Gleaming marble windowsills were covered with eyeshadow palettes, brushes, and hair dye tubes. Hair dryers hummed quietly in the background while music from the speakers set the rhythm for the day’s work.

Żaneta Mazur — the project’s organiser, mentor, and industry veteran — played a double role that day. She not only led the entire production but also styled two models herself. Her workstation resembled a small command centre: one moment she was styling Patrycja Kendrick’s hair, the next she was checking if Iris Mariano’s makeup matched the creative concept. “London is a place where anyone can be whoever they want. I wanted these stories to live within each frame,” she said, without taking her hands off the model’s hair. Around her lay brushes, notes, a schedule, and a cup of coffee she sipped between sections of hair. But today there was no time for small talk — only precision, timing, and courage. Moments later, the first models arrived — still sleepy, but their eyes glimmered with excitement. The door burst open, letting in a rush of warm August air — and two models who would become her “living canvases.”

“Good morning! Ready for a transformation?” Żaneta asked. They nodded with a smile, though a hint of tension flickered on their faces. The first — a blonde with long, thick hair — sat in the chair. The second — a young woman with afro-textured hair and radiant eyes — rested her hands on her knees, taking in the scene. Żaneta wasted no time. She turned on the dryer; the hair moved under her hands as if it had known her for years. Every motion was confident, deliberate. “A hairstyle isn’t decoration — it’s a story about you before you even introduce yourself,” she said to Patrycja Kendrick, who stared into the mirror as if she was beginning to understand that story. Patrycja Kendrick was one of the day’s most magnetic figures. In that Hyde Park hotel room, while others were still finishing their morning coffee, Żaneta was already shaping her look — smoothing her long blonde strands into a daring, geometric fringe meant to give her gaze a fierce edge.

Across the room, Awezza was finishing the makeup — every detail mattered. Her porcelain complexion contrasted with the intense matte red of her lips, reminiscent of Vogue covers from the ’90s. A subtle contour gave her face a sculptural dimension. At the same time, the minimalist eye makeup allowed the lips to say everything.

Soon, the room buzzed like a beehive. “I love those first moments when everything’s chaos — that’s when the photos feel real,” said photographer Mateusz Dudek, adjusting his lights. The metal lamps crackled softly as they heated up. “I look at people and see stories,” he said. For him, the Freestyle Vision Project was more than an assignment — “I see multiculturalism through the frame of aesthetics. I love experiencing myself in different forms and searching for authenticity in people.” When he spoke about the beauty of traditions, the diversity of faces and expressions, you could imagine him wandering London’s streets for hours, photographing strangers to capture what was true in them.

On the other side of the room, Roma Walendzik was finishing a Frida Kahlo–inspired makeup look — bold colours, symbolic flowers, fearless lines. A hairstylist, makeup artist, and storyteller, Roma brought her passion for narrative beauty into the project. “It’s not just an outer change — transformation happens when someone looks in the mirror and sees themselves in a new light.” Her muses were two contrasting figures: delicate bride Katarzyna Stefańska and fearless Kamila Krzyżaniak as Frida Kahlo. The first embodied purity and romance; the second — strength and defiance. Their contrast allowed Roma to create something not only beautiful but deeply narrative.

“For me, hairstyle is a manifesto,” said Marlena Jastrzębska, who sees styling as a way to express freedom, courage, and authenticity. “The perfect look isn’t perfection — it’s being yourself.” Working with Julia Wilczyńska and Zizzi, she crafted looks that fused individuality with emotion — Julia’s was soft and nostalgic, while Zizzi’s radiated power and intensity. Her goal: to let hair and makeup tell one unified story. “I want people to feel energy that knows no limits.”

Katarzyna Stefańska, nail stylist and model, took on a dual role “I wanted to express strength, confidence, and feminine delicacy all at once. Nails became jewellery, completing the whole creation,” she said. It wasn’t easy — she had to both create and perform, to see her work as both artist and subject “I realised my art only truly lives when it interacts with people.”

Her modern bride look became one of the project’s most memorable moments.

Żaneta moved between stations, adjusting strands, passing pins, offering quick advice:

“Don’t pull too hard — you’ll lose the volume.”

“Add more hairspray on the ends; it’ll hold better.”

The younger stylists watched closely — this was the mentorship she believed in: natural, unforced, flowing from experience.

ATELIER Barbara Hajda brought a futuristic vision to life — a glimpse of the future in a London hotel room. Her bold, multi-dimensional looks, co-created with Weronika Jagodzińska, had dynamic, photo-ready movement. “This is our answer to digital chaos — be yourself, even in the world’s fastest tempo,” Barbara said. Her design — a futuristic warrior — looked straight out of a high-budget sci-fi film: a contrast between soft white puff-sleeved fabric and the raw power of geometric cuts, metallic accents, and LED-lit glasses reflecting the cold glow of the London Underground.

Weronika’s cyber-inspired hairstyle — a cascade of braids in violet, pink, silver, and lime — shimmered with every motion. Awezza’s makeup amplified the look with silver pigments and pearlescent lips. The dress and cape, custom-made by Beata Wegener Sobieraj, allowed for theatrical movement — each gesture unfurled the fabric like wings of a futuristic bird. Behind the scenes, project manager Karolina Suchowiecka and her assistant Patryk Filip ensured every detail — from the metro staircase entrance to posing on an empty platform — ran flawlessly. When Barbara stepped to the edge of the platform, cape brushing the floor, London commuters stared at her as if she’d arrived from another plane. Through Dudek’s lens, the moment looked like a movie still — London merely the backdrop for a heroine from the future.

Sylwia Szczepaniak, educator and stylist, drew inspiration from Viking women. “Every braid had a purpose — it symbolised courage and freedom.” As a teacher, she cared not only about the look but also about what others could learn from it. Working with Blanca, she created a hairstyle that declared: This is a woman you don’t underestimate.

Anna Boguszewska chose a different path — her modern cowboy wasn’t a copy of Western style but a bold, feminine reinterpretation. Her model, Wiktoria Boguszewska, embodied confidence and independence. Anna’s hairstyle was airy yet structured — each strand planned to capture freedom in motion. “It’s a statement of strength and principle. The hair is part of the personality, and this woman says: Don’t approach unless you have courage.”

As stylists finished their work, Awezza sat focused with a thin brush in hand, drawing a perfect graphic eyeliner. “Makeup isn’t decoration — it’s the language of the face,” she repeated. Every line, every shadow had meaning. Her precision was almost surgical.

That day, Awezza was the orchestra conductor — preparing five models, each telling a different story:

Basia Hajda — futuristic boldness, sharp eyeliner, metallic glow.
Angie Tomaszewska — as Marilyn Monroe, with luminous skin and red lips, a modern homage to a classic icon.
Iris Mariano — sweetness and freshness, pink hues and pastel hair tones for a girlish yet refined look.
Patrycja Kendrick — fierce and editorial, with red lipstick and icy makeup straight from Vogue.
Julia Dalia — the glamour vamp, deep burgundy lips and smoky eyes, oozing drama.

Whenever photographers Mateusz Dudek and Mikołaj Mazur adjusted the lights, Awezza would slip in at the last second to move a single strand, casting a shadow. She ensured every detail worked both in person and on camera.

In one corner, Klaudia Pydyn ruled her own realm. In front of her sat Angie Tomaszewska, soon to become Marilyn. The blonde curls fell perfectly into place “Marilyn isn’t just hair — it’s attitude, gaze, movement. I create the whole persona,” Klaudia said. Nearby, Julia Dalia waited for her turn — sleek, glossy, red-carpet elegance. “I want people to see the contrast — from classic bombshell to modern glamour.”

When everything was ready, the hotel doors opened wide, and the entire team stepped into the heart of London — the streets became their stage.

Freestyle Vision Project was no ordinary show. It was a crossroads where people with different stories met through one shared need — to create. It was a story about how art intertwines with life: sometimes in a salon, sometimes on a stage, and sometimes… in the mirror, when someone sees a braver version of themselves. Everyone left with something different — inspiration, courage, or simply the belief that in a world full of noise, there’s still room for genuine emotion.

What was it all for? The Freestyle Vision Project had one core purpose — to connect hair artistry with other creative disciplines and prove that a great “look” isn’t about pretty hair or makeup, but about a coherent message. Żaneta wanted the audience to feel the story behind each style — its emotions, inspirations, and context. And she succeeded. Among the audience were London artists, beauty industry professionals, and casual passersby who stayed until the end, mesmerised. Afterwards, people spoke of it as a small festival of cultures, colours, and personalities. Why was it different from a typical fashion show? Because there was no place to play safely, a bride could have futuristic accessories, and a Viking hairstyle could share the stage with a Frida Kahlo–inspired face. Nothing was “too much” — every “too” was welcome. “I wanted London to become our creative laboratory — a place to experiment, make mistakes, correct them, and finally say: this is me,” Żaneta explained. When the stage lights dimmed and only the scent of cosmetics and quiet conversation remained, everyone knew something extraordinary had happened. For some, it was a career milestone; for others, a personal awakening. Because Freestyle Vision Project wasn’t just a show — it was a moment when people looked in the mirror and saw someone braver than they were the day before.

Every detail had purpose — from fabric texture to lipstick shade, from the shape of a braid to the backdrop of London streets. Each participant had their own vision and the freedom to bring it to life. This wasn’t reproduction — it was creation. And most importantly, the event was officially certified, giving it the status of a prestigious artistic project where talent, vision, and professionalism met in one time and place.