June 19, 2020
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN FATHER & SON
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN FATHER & SON
By: Yannis Alexandrides
In celebration of Father’s Day, I wanted to discuss the makings of a career, family and father with my own dad.
On Grooming, Routine & Lifestyle
Yannis A.: Walk me through your morning routine?
KA: My days are often relaxed, and I enjoy taking it easy, I always start my day with a shower followed by a shave. I look after my skin with the 111SKIN products that have been recommended by yourself. I wash my face with the NAC Y2 Restorative Cleansing Balm and then pat the Antioxidant Energising Essence into my skin, especially post shave. I will always finish my morning grooming routine with the Y Theorem Day Cream.
YA: What do you spend your days doing?
KA: I start my day with my walk that I take from the centre of Athens and carry my route across the historical triangle that is known within the country. Along my route, I’ll stop off for coffee with friends before heading back home to tend to my garden. If the season permits, I will stroll along the beach or head for a swim.
YA: What lifestyle topics still peek an interest?
KA: I’m still very interested in Greek poetry and I still love to recite my favourites to you all when the family gets together. Aside from poetry, I am still into my history, especially on WWII.
ON CAREERS
YA: Can you tell me more about your career?
KA: I was offered the opportunity of a full-scholarship to study at the Hahnemann University in Philadelphia where I studied medicine and then completed my training in Greece, I specialised as a Interventional Cardiologist and at that time I was the first in my field to perform this type of practise in Athens. From that point my career developed into becoming the Director of the Red Cross Hospitals based in Greece where I was able to treat thousands of patients and even further my career to later perform Balloon Angioplasty.
YA: What has been the hardest part about your role?
KA: The hardest thing would be telling patients and their families bad news that will affect their future.
YA: Do you have a testing experience that you remember?
KA: Even though I’ve been retired for over 15 years now I still remember this like it was yesterday. It was within the first few months when I had returned back to Athens and I had just started at a new lab for the Red Cross. I was undergoing my first cardiac surgery when the patient went into a cardia arrest and during the resuscitation, I realised that the defibrillator was not compatible with the patient. Having to think fast on my feet without losing my calm, I used an alternative method that resuscitated the patient who then eventually had a successful outcome from the procedure.
ON FATHERHOOD
YA: Do you have a memory that still makes you smile to this day?
KA: The birth of my first son (Yannis Alexandrides), although all of my children’s births were a delight, this is the moment that still stands out to me so vividly.
YA: What has being a father taught you?
KA: One of the most important events in someone’s life is the moment you realise that you need to set an example for your children, from a social setting to a professional and family environment.
YA: What lessons are vital for you to pass onto your grandchildren?
KA: To give them the confidence to achieve social consciousness and value friendship.
YA: One thing that they could never teach you about fatherhood?
KA: The power of fatherly love – the bond is undeniable.
ON LEGACY
YA: What statement do you want to leave on the world?
KA: For the future generation to be able to develop an independent democratic opinion on all matters that concern them.
YA: What are your hopes for the future generation?
KA: Optimism, I hope they continue to change the world for the better and lead the world of no war and to protect the planet.
By: Yannis Alexandrides
In celebration of Father’s Day, I wanted to discuss the makings of a career, family and father with my own dad.
On Grooming, Routine & Lifestyle
Yannis A.: Walk me through your morning routine?
KA: My days are often relaxed, and I enjoy taking it easy, I always start my day with a shower followed by a shave. I look after my skin with the 111SKIN products that have been recommended by yourself. I wash my face with the NAC Y2 Restorative Cleansing Balm and then pat the Antioxidant Energising Essence into my skin, especially post shave. I will always finish my morning grooming routine with the Y Theorem Day Cream.
YA: What do you spend your days doing?
KA: I start my day with my walk that I take from the centre of Athens and carry my route across the historical triangle that is known within the country. Along my route, I’ll stop off for coffee with friends before heading back home to tend to my garden. If the season permits, I will stroll along the beach or head for a swim.
YA: What lifestyle topics still peek an interest?
KA: I’m still very interested in Greek poetry and I still love to recite my favourites to you all when the family gets together. Aside from poetry, I am still into my history, especially on WWII.
ON CAREERS
YA: Can you tell me more about your career?
KA: I was offered the opportunity of a full-scholarship to study at the Hahnemann University in Philadelphia where I studied medicine and then completed my training in Greece, I specialised as a Interventional Cardiologist and at that time I was the first in my field to perform this type of practise in Athens. From that point my career developed into becoming the Director of the Red Cross Hospitals based in Greece where I was able to treat thousands of patients and even further my career to later perform Balloon Angioplasty.
YA: What has been the hardest part about your role?
KA: The hardest thing would be telling patients and their families bad news that will affect their future.
YA: Do you have a testing experience that you remember?
KA: Even though I’ve been retired for over 15 years now I still remember this like it was yesterday. It was within the first few months when I had returned back to Athens and I had just started at a new lab for the Red Cross. I was undergoing my first cardiac surgery when the patient went into a cardia arrest and during the resuscitation, I realised that the defibrillator was not compatible with the patient. Having to think fast on my feet without losing my calm, I used an alternative method that resuscitated the patient who then eventually had a successful outcome from the procedure.
ON FATHERHOOD
YA: Do you have a memory that still makes you smile to this day?
KA: The birth of my first son (Yannis Alexandrides), although all of my children’s births were a delight, this is the moment that still stands out to me so vividly.
YA: What has being a father taught you?
KA: One of the most important events in someone’s life is the moment you realise that you need to set an example for your children, from a social setting to a professional and family environment.
YA: What lessons are vital for you to pass onto your grandchildren?
KA: To give them the confidence to achieve social consciousness and value friendship.
YA: One thing that they could never teach you about fatherhood?
KA: The power of fatherly love – the bond is undeniable.
ON Legacy
YA: What statement do you want to leave on the world?
KA: For the future generation to be able to develop an independent democratic opinion on all matters that concern them.
YA: What are your hopes for the future generation?
KA: Optimism, I hope they continue to change the world for the better and lead the world of no war and to protect the planet.
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.