22
Jul
2009

Nicky Clarke’s Mayfair Salon Soiree

I headed down to the Nicky Clarke salon in Mayfair on a rainy night for his ‘summer’ soiree. Barely had my feet crossed the threshold of the entrance when I was hauled by the hand and wedged into a chair.

Under the horrified glance of hairdresser Dino my straggled barnet was pulled into some sort of order. ‘Ouch!’ I winced, suffering for my beauty.

‘When your ‘air gets wet, it looksa lika de straw!’ Dino gesticulated, eyes rolling, clearly exasperated.

I watched under my teased fringe as long legged lovelies in evening dresses climbed coltishly up the grand spiral stairway. ‘Pixie Geldof is DJing!’ one of them squealed.

Then Nicky Clarke himself appeared, to the palpable excitement of the young girls gathered. The rockstar hairdresser has aged well, his titian mane crowning delicate features and possibly a little eyeliner.

Nicky is no diva, he was soon humping PA speakers up the stairs and going out on drink runs, while the throng queued for blowdries and manicures, sipping champagne and strawberry cocktails. I met Nicky’s charming son Harrison who is going into stockbroking, not hairdressing. His sister Tilly, who was helping to organise tonight’s event, was at home with suspected swine flu.

Andrew, Nicky’s business partner, said: ‘This is Nicky’s son and daughter’s crowd here tonight. We are having this party to show younger people what we do and that we are affordable. We have a new generation of talent here at the salon, they have all undergone apprenticeships and are properly trained.’

‘Are some hairdressers not properly trained?’ I asked.

‘A certain popular High Street hairdressing chain – no names – only teach their trainees five hair cuts. They are taught to style it, gel it up. It looks great when the customer walks out the door but on the first wash the customer will realise it hasn’t been properly cut’. I have fine hair and I hate it when hairdressers razor cut it…

‘It’s so the wrong thing to do. Our hairdressers are cool and trendy but also know what to do with difficult hair.’

This young crowd were heaving to the beats, descending the stairs with glossy manes, holding out their hands as they tried not to damage their newly painted nails. Clarke then led a mass exodus to Movida nightclub, while yours truly went home in the rain – Dino’s work in vain.

Nicky Clarke’s salon parties will be held three times a year. Keep an eye on www.nickyclarke.com for details of future soirees.

Nicky Clarke
130 Mount Street
Mayfair
W1K 3NY

Tel: 0844 884 2444

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1 Response

  1. Anonymous

    i love your post! it sounds great. i totally agree with you about the hairdressers who make it look brilliant for a day but worse the next day.
    i love your writing,
    keep going!

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