Live from New York
Hair report from NYC: a salon on every corner for all hours (pictured: awesome example on the Lower East Side) but surprisingly plain hair all around: pulled back, piled up, natural color, loose and lots of ponytails for the ladies. Go above the East 60s where the bottle blondes rule and it’s a whole other story, but still pretty tame stuff.
I heard a lot of reasons for the good-looking but decidedly un-fussy hair I saw while I was there: call it a trend, salons are too pricey, not enough time, why color my hair when I can buy a pair of boots?, etc. Not that it’s all like that: VAIN knows of a certain NYC hair salon that’s gone gangbusters and is putting out some of the best, creative hair that side of Seattle- Seagull Haircutters, run by none other than former VAIN hairstylist and force of nature Shaun “Surething” Cottle. For the past few years Shaun has been doing an amazing job of infusing his signature skills, vision, and style into every head of hair walking into his West Village salon’s door and the city is lucky to have him.
But for the most part, the fashion-forward looks in New York seemed to be much more about clothes than hair. It made me feel good to come home to all the hot pink dye jobs, razored-out styles and disconnected cuts here in the 206… even if they were on top of fleece and flannel and soaked by a little rain.
-Rebecca P.
November 11th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Hey lady! Thanks for the shout out!
Here are my thoughts on the matter.
Having worked on this coast twice; 97-98 and now, I have always noticed that NYC hair is indeed more tame, but as you said, it is very much TAMED (good-looking).
NYC women, by and large, are looking for hair that is current, sleek and healthy.
Often times we forget that though NYC is a massive cultural hub, art heaven, arguably nightlife capital of the world and just plain queen of the scene, it is also home to Wall street and many of the biggest corporations in the world.
Women who work in these less than forgiving environments where competition is ferocious and careers paramount, hair needs to be informed, sharp, seemingly non-threatening and tidy.
As far as the the models, actresses and the like go, well, we have to look like our head shots so not to much change! Only the biggest and the best have the option of changing up their looks frequently.
Though we don’t cater to any one demographic, I am happy to say that most of our work out here is aggressively fashion forward but more refined (and i don’t mean “better”).
Seattle hosts some of the most broad-minded, liberal companies of their respective times, that encourage independent thinking and being. Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks etc. are all examples of companies that leave room for creative thinking, and people carving out their own positions within the company.
And it so it is reflected in hair.
It’s fascinating to me to re-witness this sharp contrast in how we form our general style from the same common denominator: Where we live.
Seattle will always be the funky, politically informed, activist who wants to mix in one expensive piece to send thrift-store chic over the top.
NYC will always be the sharp, sleek self-aware professional with a few carefully chosen words for the biggest impact possible….
Well, maybe not always, since we’re all moving around all the time looking at each other’s hair, clothes, buildings, landscapes, countries, cities, cultures and lives. Finding what is beautiful, inspiring and bright to us, mixing it all up and delicately (or not so) painting it on our frames for the world to see.
Best to everyone out there and thanks for everything.
XO. Shaun
November 13th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I think it’s because of all the flannel and fleece (don’t forget denim) that Seattle goes more wild with our hair. Too bad we have to cover it up for 1/2 the year.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:44 am
New York cost of living is extremely expensive. Get my hair colored? or pay my rent? unfortunately when you want to live in the city that never sleeps something is gonna get slept on
November 29th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Hi, my name is disman-kl, i like your site and i ll be back