Few names in design and engineering are as synonymous with innovation as James Dyson (Instagram). From revolutionizing vacuum cleaners to reimagining hair styling, his relentless pursuit of engineering perfection has consistently disrupted industries. But as Dyson himself will tell you, “success is born from failure”.
James Dyson sat in front of an array of components and heating units as he spoke to YUNG in Paris, during the launch of his newest beauty (Instagram) product—The Supersonic r hairdryer. Among the pieces before him was his newest innovation: the Dyson Hyperdymium motor, the smallest heater created to date. As he turned each piece in his hands, you could see it: the passion running through him. Dyson isn’t just an engineer; he’s a storyteller, and his stories are built of metal, circuits, and airflows.
Dyson showed us a typical hair dryer heater before revealing the Hyperdymium motor, and the size difference was astonishing. The tiny heater is certainly small, yet it functions as effectively as any standard heater. What was surprising was that the heater cooled down instantly after use “for hairdressers, that saves probably 30 minutes of doing someone’s hair. And at home, of course, it saves you 30 minutes as well,” he says.
At 30% smaller and 20% lighter than its predecessor, the Supersonic r wasn’t just about reducing size—it was about rethinking the way a hairdryer functions. With its refined design, it offers greater manoeuvrability, faster drying times, and a finish that leaves hair smoother and shinier. Dyson’s approach has always been to challenge convention, and with this latest innovation, he has once again rewritten the rules of beauty technology.
Dyson and his team reengineered the hairdryer from the inside out, driven by a singular mission: precision without compromise. “We wanted to create something that offers complete control,” he explains, gesturing toward the motor in the handle. “Instead of the weight sitting at the back, the power is in your hand. It’s smaller, lighter, and more precise.”
But Dyson wasn’t alone in this vision. Kathleen Pierce, Dyson’s Beauty President, sat down with us to discuss how this engineering feat translates into real-world beauty. “Dyson doesn’t follow trends,” she says. “We launch when we have something meaningful to put into the space.”
Originally intended for professional stylists, the Supersonic r quickly has gained traction outside the salon. Pierce recalls checking into a hotel shortly after its launch when a front desk attendant spotted her Dyson badge. “She told me, ‘I can’t wait to get my hands on this’. At that point, it was only available for professionals, but the demand was undeniable,” she says.
That demand didn’t happen by accident. Dyson’s team spent years studying hairstylists in their element, observing their every move to refine the Supersonic r’s design. Katherine, one of Dyson’s beauty engineers, explains how their on-site salon became a laboratory for innovation. “We’d watch professionals at work, record their techniques, and break down their movements to understand exactly what they needed. Everything we do is about helping consumers feel amazing about their hair—making sure they can achieve salon-quality results at home while still complementing the stylist experience.”
For Dyson, blending engineering and aesthetics has always been central to his approach. “I started as a painter, and then I began doing design. Back in the ’60s, design was one thing, and engineers in white coats who developed the technology were another thing. I didn’t understand why that was,” he says, reflecting on his early years. But Dyson found a common ground between both, becoming a pioneer in combining technology and aesthetics. You can spot a Dyson product from a mile away— same goes for the Supersonic r; it’s unmistakably his.
That belief is what led him to sketch the Supersonic r ten years ago—long before the technology existed—with the goal of bringing it to life. “We knew this was the ideal shape for a hairdryer,” Pierce reveals. “But at the time, we couldn’t fit the motor and heater into it. So we waited. We developed the parts. And now, here we are.” It’s this mentality of never sitting still that defines Dyson’s approach.
“We’re taught in school that you should have the right answer immediately—but life isn’t like that. Progress comes from experimentation,” says Dyson. It’s that philosophy that’s driven him for decades, a mind-set that led to the Supersonic r. Looking back on his younger days, reflecting on the advice he would give himself, Dyson smiles and says, “Never give up. Always be curious, question things, and learn from your mistakes. Let those around you make mistakes too, and never be afraid of unusual ideas—they might be the best ones.”
This philosophy has shaped Dyson’s career, driving him to continuously innovate. For him, there’s always a new problem to solve and a new breakthrough to achieve. Today, the Supersonic r is his lightest and most precise hairdryer yet. We can only imagine what he’ll create next.
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