SC Edit — London Men’s Grooming Destinations
By Something CuratedAs the men’s hair market continues to grow, figures suggest, on average, men in the UK get their hair cut every five weeks. London’s salons and barbershops have become increasingly creative, offering not just high quality hair services, but taking great efforts to develop innovative environments for customers, in an attempt to differentiate their business. Something Curated takes a look at some of the best sanctuaries of male grooming in the city, spanning everything from Alfred Dunhill’s luxurious Mayfair barbershop to the Hackney-based salon-come-Korean-café, Hurwundeki.
Blue Tit || Perry Patraszewski & Andi Hinteregger
From its first salon conception in 2011, Blue Tit has grown at an impressive rate, now boasting six salons across London, including branches in Dalston, Peckham and Clapton. Developed by hairdressers Perry Patraszewski and Andi Hinteregger, each salon has its own identity, creating intriguing and exciting spaces, in keeping with the brand ethos of appointments being a personal experience as opposed to a clinical transaction. Continuing this philosophy, as well as a selection of hot drinks, the salons offer fresh smoothies and beer to customers while they wait.
The knowledgeable staff provide thoughtful advice on your hair needs, carrying out efficient and skilled work. Blue Tit’s largest edition in East Village is perhaps their most contemporary design, purpose built with a modern aesthetic. Located in the Olympic Park, the salon interior is sleek and bright with influences of Scandinavian minimalism, incorporating enormous concrete walls, wooden screens and pared-back furniture. A custom-made concrete counter inlayed with intricate wooden detailing, created by artist Tobias Bolton, takes centre stage in the elegant space.
Tommy Guns || Russell Manley
Tommy Guns is a barber shop-inspired hair salon established in Soho in 1994. Furnished with classic barber chairs, nickel, mirror, and glass cabinetry, vintage pieces gathered from the late 1880s to the 1960s, the salon sets itself apart with its authentic retro look. Catering to both men and women, Tommy Guns’ founder, Russell Manley, has created somewhat of an institution over the past two decades.
Manley’s inspiration came from an old barbershop that was shutting down back in 1994; the intrepid entrepreneur preserved the original nickel cabinets and marble countertops from the 1927 build, going onto mimic a similar style in Tommy Guns’ numerous branches. Combining contemporary hairdressing styles with a British heritage feel, Tommy Guns has build a venerable reputation for delivering timeless looks, proudly providing services to London’s creative community as well as many well-known celebrities.
ESHK || Fernando Lopez & Meg Liu
ESHK’s history starts in Shoreditch, where Fernando Lopez and Meg Liu worked and lived for many years. Liu notes, “Back then there weren’t many hair salons around, we were constantly surrounded by lots of stylish people and were working to develop hair styles and trends that were ever evolving and changing. We took all of that experience and put it into our own salon.” In 2005 the duo decided to take the plunge and open their own Barbican salon on Goswell Road. This was an exciting time of growth for East London, as a great scene of creative people set up shop in the neighbourhood. Ten years later, following the opening of their Clerkenwell and Neukölln branches, the pair have four hair salons across London and Berlin.
ESHK is as much known for their décor, which Lopez and Liu design themselves using recycled and reclaimed materials and furniture , as they are for their hairstyles. The look and feel of each salon is always important to the founders, who aim to design every branch differently whilst still retaining a consistent signature feel. The use of reclaimed materials, a financial necessity at first, has enabled them to inject some individuality and character into each outlet. Thoughtfully repurposing old buildings, the pair take great pride in the histories of their London and Berlin sites. Their thirty-strong team of young, dynamic and skilled stylists and assistants are undoubtedly a key reason for the continuing growth and success of the business.
The Barber at Bourdon House || Alfred Dunhill
The Barber at Bourdon House upholds the finest standards in the wet shave tradition, alongside smart haircuts for the contemporary gentleman. Tradition is combined with a modern twist, delivered with impeccable service. Alfred Dunhill was an innovator of his time. Inheriting his father’s equestrian business in 1893 at the age of twenty-one, Dunhill went on to transform the brand into a pioneering global business. Dunhill’s vision has left a legacy of British luxury, with Dunhill now covering almost all aspects of menswear – sporting goods to bespoke suits.
Once home to the Duke of Westminster, Bourdon House is now a one-stop shop for all things Dunhill. As the only detached house in Mayfair, the Georgian mansion stands out amongst its neighbours. Spread over three floors, the store aims to cater to everything the London gent could ever need. Following a personalised regime for each customer, the Barber at Bourdon House offers a uniquely British experience. Stepping into the barber’s shop is like going through a time machine, with newsprint on the walls and old-fashioned brown leather evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Hurwundeki || Ki-Chul Lee
The hybrid salon-come-café is the brainchild of adaptable businessman Ki-Chul Lee. Under the Hurwundeki brand, which was established in the UK over ten years ago, Lee has turned his hand to hairdressing, founded a fashion label, opened two vintage boutiques, a coffee shop and a Korean restaurant. At the height of the brand’s popularity in the early 2000’s, Gilbert and George were regulars and Kate Moss was known to pop into his East End boutique, but following the recession Lee was forced to close all but one of his stores. He has now gone back to his hairdressing roots to rebuild his empire.
Hurwundeki is the word for hair in the dialect of Lee’s hometown of Jeju, Korea. By 2000, he was an established hairdresser in Seoul and came to London to study at the Vidal Sasson Academy. Lee opened his flagship UK salon in Spitalfields at 98 Commercial Street in 2004. Now, at his Hackney location, more than a hundred customers a day file through the door for a fifteen-minute haircut at Hurwundeki, and many more sit down for drinks and food at the adjoining Korean café. Here, you can expect to find Korean staples like bibimbap, as well as fried dumplings with homemade soy, pork belly and kimchi rice.