When Derrick Scurry started as a freelance hair stylist in 1992, there was no market for natural black hair in the world's fashion magazines.

"There was permed hair and maybe once in a while they'd throw in a dreadlock or some natural hair," he explains. "Now they call you just to do natural hair; I have a shoot every other week."

Those shoots have taken Scurry from his Brooklyn home where he reigns as The Natural Hair King of New York City to the runways of Paris and the covers of the world's top magazines. Working with permed, dreadlocked, and natural hair, he can claim nine covers of Essence as his own as well as covers of German Vogue and Heart and Soul. His roster of over 500 clients boasts Tomiko Frasier and Jill Scott. Maybelline regularly solicits his talent for advertising campaigns as does Donna Karan, DKNY, and Catherine Malandrino. European designers demanding his work include John Galliano, Christian Dior, Chanel, and Gaultier. When he travels to Paris four times a year, he takes his place on Odile Gilbert's team, a position that he has occupied steadily since 1995.

Scurry first learned his way around the fashion world courtesy of FIT where he graduated with a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising. Unfulfilled, he soon joined the staff of New York's famed Locks and Chops and quickly became the most requested stylist. Essence was the first of the big names to call and then when John Gallianno wanted dreadlocked models for a show, Scurry found himself in Paris. He has been returning every three months ever since.

Even as the demand for natural hair and the number of natural hair stylists increases, Scurry has had no trouble keeping up with the competition. Well-versed in every form of cutting and styling, it is his versatility that sets him above and beyond; his broad-based skill and talent that propels him to the top of his craft.

"A lot of people get stuck in one spot and they just do that," he says, explaining his continuing popularity among fashion's top names. "They only do dreadlocks or they only do natural hair or they only do braids. You've got to know how to do everything."

Scurry's proficiency at just that - everything - has ensured his fixture on the fashion scenes of Paris and New York. Combining creativity and quickness, he has become a staple for African-American models and celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic. He can make dreadlocks the envy of every permed model on the scene. He can give natural hair the stylings of the most chemically-treated hair. He can merge the essence of the street with the glamour of the runway.

"I take things from the street and try to enhance it," he divulges.

"It's almost like reinventing the wheel; making it a little better."

As the calls and faxes and emails continue to pour in, Derrick Scurry - his skills, his talents, his results - only gets better as well.