Style profile: Dennis Clendennen keeps it simple, at work and in life

It wasn't until Dennis Clendennen gave his first haircut in cosmetology school in Dallas that he knew being a hair stylist was his destiny.

He said he was clueless about his career fate before then.

At age 20, Clendennen joined the U.S. Army for four years and later tried working in an oil field for extra money.

"I hated everything. I was bumping around trying to figure out what I wanted to do," said Clendennen, 53, who owns Dionysus Salon/Spa at Market Street in The Woodlands with his wife, Terri Clendennen, who is a licensed aesthetician and massage therapist. The couple, with 20 employees under their helm, has been married 24 years and have two daughters and two grandchildren.

A stylist who regularly cut his hair encouraged Dennis Clendennen to consider hair styling as a career option.

"I was always an artist," said the Corpus Christi native. "In cosmetology school, I found out what I was meant to do. I realized I could change they way someone felt about themselves (with a haircut or a style), and it just evolved from there."

Clendennen later worked with Aveda nearly 15 years as an educator and platform stylist, in which he cut hair in front of an audience. He frequently traveled to Canada, Australia, Korea and throughout the United States. His largest audience was 8,500 at a hair show in Minneapolis. He also worked with top fashion stylists and models on photo shoots.

But he says his career highlight was helping a client who was being treated for breast cancer shave her head.

"I wanted to make it fun so I waited until we were closed and had her husband and children there. We shaved down her hair into different styles, like a mohawk. We made what could have been a tragic experience into something fun," he said.

In September, Clendennen will return to New York Fashion Week for his 24th season, working as a backstage hair stylist for runway shows.

"It's insanity. I love it. I've seen a lot of people who want to do it, but they try to put their spin on it. That doesn't work. We are there to carry out the designer's vision," he said.

"I'm just a hair dresser. I don't have a big ego. I want my work to speak for me."

Also on Aug. 28, he'll be a featured artist at the RAW Artists Houston Allure show at Stereo Live on 6400 Richmond.

When it comes to his style, Clendennen says he keeps it simple by wearing mostly all black, like the late country singer Johnny Cash.

"I remember watching the 'Johnny Cash Show' growing up and listened to his albums. (Wearing) Black just kind of evolved. It's easy. I don't have to think about it. My wife buys me colored shirts, and everyone asks if I'm OK when I wear color."

Occupation: Hairstylist, co-owner Dionysus Salon/Spa at Market Street in The Woodlands

Home: The Woodlands

Personal style: Minimalistic, mostly black

Style icon: Johnny Cash, who wore black

One must-keep: "A red bandanna I've had for 20 years."

Pairs of shoes: "Twenty-plus, but I only wear two, black boots or flip-flops."

Favorite shoes: A pair of black Dr. Martens with buckles sans laces

Thing he should toss: A pair of Timberland boots that need to be re-soled. "I keep sewing them back together."

He'll never wear: Leggings

Recent purchase: Black Levi's

Most regrettable purchase: Anything purchased on a whim

Essential grooming product: Toothpaste

Must follow on Instagram: @Hairbrained_official. "It keeps me inspired with top hairdressers sharing what they are doing now."

Favorite movies: "September Issue" about the making of Vogue magazine's coveted September fall issue. "I was also working with hairdresser Eugene Souleiman styling hair for Thakoon for his fashion show during the filming of the documentary. I didn't make the cut, but I was there."

Favorite food: Anything spicy

Go-to cocktail: Craft beer

Favorite dessert: Spicy chocolate

First thing to pack for a beach vacation: Sunblock

Theme song: "Look on the Bright Side of Life (All Things Dull and Ugly)" by Monty Python