The Shop

«

The Hairdressers opened its doors on Islington's Amwell Street in 2006.

Owners Guy Healey and Claire Taverner met half way through their illustrious careers in London, and found they shared a vision for something new.

The shop has been going from strength to strength, with the support of their loyal clients who have followed Guy & Claire from salon to salon, and a growing list of customers that are still coming through the door.

The Staff

«

The Hairdressers are Guy, Claire, Georgia-May, Kate, Krissy

Guy
I'm co owner of the hairdressers. I started my career at ginger group in Knightsbridge, then moved on to Vidal Sassoon. I then chose to work in a much smaller bespoke way either from a loft in Old Street or by visiting clients. I met Claire when we worked at Jacks in Soho! We set up the hairdressers in 2006 trying to bring the West End feel to a more relaxed homely atmosphere, where we've worked to date with our team!

Claire
I started my hairdressing training with Toni and Guy in the West End of London. I was soon appointed manager of my salon and later went on to manage a few T&G salons. After six years I went to work at Jacks Soho so I could offer a more relaxed personal service and began trimming the locks of the media world. It was here that I met Guy and we decided to team up and start The Hairdressers. We opened in 2006 and it has been going from strength to strength with support from our loyal clients who have followed us from salon to salon (thank you), and our new clients who are still coming through the door (thank you too).

Georgia-May
I've been studying beauty, hair and make up since 2007. I've always had a great love for hair! I enjoy making people look and feel good about them selves.

I have been working for The Hairdressers since 2008.

Kate
I started my hairdressing career in Cornwall nearly 10 years ago.

With my passion for hair and travel, it brought me to London in 2009. In this time i have been very lucky to have travelled the world whilst doing a job I love. I joined the team at The Hairdressers in January this year and have enjoyed every minute, the relaxed friendly atmosphere is a perfect setting for me to continue my career.

Krissy
At 18 years old I am the youngest member of the team. I started my hairdressing journey in November 2010 when I left school. I've always had a passion for hairdressing from an early age and was pleased to be given the opportunity to begin my apprenticeship in such a nice salon.

I am half way through my course at Alan D education for my level 2 NVQ with City & Guilds. I will then go on to complete my level 3 to expand my skills and knowledge of hairdressing.

Reviews

«

The contrast between local hairdressers and West End salons used to be huge. The former would be called Fringe Benefits and lack any semblance of what would be called cool. The latter would be very expensive and offer the services of a 'hair advisor' from Rotherham called Philippe. But in the last few years, neighbourhood salons have been sharpening up their act, most recently prompted by Guy Healy and Claire Taverner, formerly of the Soho basement salon Jack's. Uniting their funds, the pair have brought some of their West End know-how to laid back EC1, opening a salon simply named The Hairdressers. Located in one of the street's elegant Georgian townhouses, it has the air of a stylish front room. While you wait, you can sit at a wooden table and nibble on delicious homemade biscuits and cakes.

Highbury-dwelling Healy, who trained at Vidal Sassoon, and Newington Green resident Taverner, who cut her teeth at Toni & Guy, decided they wanted to open up as centrally as possible without actually being in W1. So far, so good: the laid-back friendliness of the salon fits in perfectly with Amwell Street's sleepy vibe; their old clients from Soho are happy to make the trip up Rosebery Avenue and the local residents are chuffed to finally have somewhere hip to have their hair cut.

I always get my hair cut at this small independent salon, run by Guy Healy and Claire Taverner. It has an easy-going, unpretentious vibe, and discerning clientele. It always has decent music and most importantly, free biscuits. In fact, it's almost like sitting in your own living room — only with scissors and hairdryers.

Alyson Walsh (of fashion blog That's Not My Age)

This lovely neighbourhood salon, complete with kitchen table and cafetieres, offers blow dries in just 15 minutes (allow at least half an hour if you've got thick, long or curly hair). Haircuts take a bit longer as the staff don't like to skimp on quality.

A recent addition to the London hairdressing scene, the Hairdressers are Guy and Claire, friends who used to work at Jack's in Soho until deciding to go it alone in early 2006. Bringing their cutting skills and a relaxed attitude, the salon has a suitably homely and personal feel with books on the shelves and only four chairs. Part of this attitude comes from Guy who when working from home at his Shoreditch loft noticed how much his clients used to like getting their hair done in that environment. With the basement rented out to a theatre and opera designer, there's also a creative frisson, especially as many of Guy and Claire's regulars come from the world of theatre and the arts.

...designer Gilles Cadle shaped and moulded the salon into a homely living room-like space with a twist. Character features such as a graffiti covered desk, a pew and a coat stand add to the relaxed and unusual atmosphere. The reception area consists of a simple school desk and the waiting area homes a second-hand dining table with chairs. Guy says: "The table is in the middle of the salon and people can read, drink coffee and be sociable while they wait."

Bright and light is the theme throughout the salon and its decor is simple and minimalist. The walls, ceilings and wooden beams are all white-washed to reflect the abundance of natural light which floods into the salon through large windows at the front and rear of the building....

...Guy and Claire describe their salon as approachable and friendly. "It's a lovely place to work, and an attractive salon to visit."

Photoshoot

«

Photographs thanks to Lawrence Watson, shot at the bookies on Amwell Street.

Rochelle
Georgia-May