George Northwood began a hairdressing career inspired by his grandmother Tess, and in the 25 years since, has travelled the world, working with clients at the Oscars, the Met Ball and Cannes. His timeless, uncomplicated and gorgeously undone styles have garnered him a coterie of famous fans including Rachel Weisz, Rosie Huntington Whitely, Alicia Vikander, Julianne Moore, and Megan Markle. He has three highly acclaimed London salons to his name and has created looks for countless fashion editorials, advertising campaigns. In the 2000s, his work with a then up-and-coming Alexa Chung led to the “Alexa”, an effortlessly undone bob, which fast became a signature.

Despite this high altitude, star-sprinkled life, George is warm, down to earth and a lot of fun to spend time with, as I discovered after our mutual friend Carolyn brought him for lunch in the meadow last summer. It was then that he first told me about his surrogacy journey as a single dad, and when I heard the news he’d welcomed baby Elijah this year, he was the obvious choice for our Father’s Day interview, which he kindly agreed to.

Read on for his thoughts on new fatherhood, parental wisdom & generosity, and the gifts he'd like to give and to receive this Father's Day...

It's obviously quite a different experience embarking on a solo surrogacy journey and having a baby in Mexico. Of course it has felt lonely at stages on the journey, but I'm surrounded by a great network of family and friends and I was fortunate to have a wonderful surrogate mother. Elijah, my son has been a dream these first few months.  Becoming a father I think will make life feel richer. He's given it a lot more purpose and meaning and it's something I've always wanted to be. I feel just as creative and determined in my work and growing my brand, albeit there will be more juggling involved for sure. It's all a learning curve. I try to take one day at a time otherwise it can so easily feel overwhelming.

What qualities and words of wisdom do you hope to pass on to your son? 

To dream big and work hard. That anything is possible. Also that the best things in life are free and to enjoy the simple things. I think the holy grail is to be content and peaceful. 

My father certainly, but also when I thought about answering this, I'm Elijah's mother and father rolled into one. So any single parent really trying to do their best. That's all you can hope for.

I love this Kaweco fountain pen, the colours and how it feels in the hand.