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“The Experience Starts At The Door” — Kitch Brings 1950s Kitchen Comfort To Islington

“The Experience Starts At The Door” — Kitch Brings 1950s Kitchen Comfort To Islington

"The Experience Starts At The Door” — Kitch Brings 1950s Kitchen Comfort To Islington

Celebrating individuality, nostalgia and unbeatable client experience, Kitch is a pastel-hued, kitchen-inspired salon offering a welcoming space for all. 

At Kitch in Angel, Islington, owners Luca Jones and Scott Humphreys are reinventing the salon experience, one pastel corner at a time. Their 1950s kitchen-themed space is anything but traditional, blending a sense of nostalgia with modern inclusivity. Designed as a vibrant yet familiar kitchen, Kitch offers everything from salon services to barbering, in an inclusive and gender-neutral setting. Kitch welcomes everyone to enjoy a unique salon experience that feels like getting your hair done at home with friends. 

Following their recent win for Most Wanted Best Client Experience, the team has been busy enhancing their signature space. This includes expanding the retro theme upstairs while introducing functional updates for an even smoother client journey. And while the decor is as pastel and charming as ever, it’s the updated backwash area that’s turning heads. The newly added basins sit next to the colour zone for seamless toning, and the installation of a new boiler ensures consistent water pressure across multiple stations. The bright pink cabinet housing the boiler ties functionality with the salon’s aesthetic, allowing clients to enjoy a faster, more efficient rinse without sacrificing the beloved Kitch vibe. 

“The experience starts at the door,” says Scott. “As soon as you walk into reception, we want it to be relaxed and easy – not too formal or stuffy. Having the dog by the door also helps ease everyone in. It’s an open, friendly environment.” This approach is what sets Kitch apart from traditional salons, making it feel more like a community hub where clients can truly be themselves. 

Central to the Kitch experience is its commitment to inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQIA+ clients. “We wanted to create a safe space for everyone,” says Luca. “Here, you can come in, be yourself, wear what you want, and say what you want. It’s a nice, fun place to be, and everyone seems super relaxed.” This openness and inclusivity foster a sense of connection among clients and staff alike, and the layout even encourages conversation between clients. “It feels like you’re part of a whole group. No one’s left out, no matter their age,” Luca adds. 

The recently expanded salon upstairs builds on Kitch’s charm, offering even more practical functionality while keeping its signature aesthetic intact. “Being able to use the backwash area properly is worth a billion dollars!” the founders joke.  

Kitch also brings a unique approach to customer service, emphasising listening and collaboration. “An important point is listening to what your client wants,” says Scott. “A lot of hairdressers go on a tangent and do what they want, but it’s important to tweak it your way while listening to the client’s wishes.” This dedication to understanding clients’ needs reflects the founders’ vision for a salon where everyone’s individuality is celebrated. 

Inspired by his upbringing, Scott explains, “My mum was a hairdresser, so there was always someone in the kitchen getting their hair done. It was usually a really fun time, especially after COVID. The kitchen was always a relaxed place, and that’s what we wanted here at Kitch – a space where people chat, laugh, and feel comfortable.” 

With a nostalgic design, high standards, and an inclusive atmosphere, Kitch in Angel is more than a salon; it’s a space where everyone can feel at home while getting top-notch service. 

 

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Why Antoinette Beenders Is Embracing AI

Why Antoinette Beenders Is Embracing AI

Why Antoinette Beenders Is Embracing AI

Aveda’s creative director is integrating artificial intelligence into her photographic collections. Controversial? She argues embracing change is essential  

Astral II, Aveda, Antionette Beenders, Ed Maximus

Astral 2.0, a futuristic collection inspired by iconic stylist Antionette Beender’s work with Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, fuses real hair with AI-generated clothes – a move that’s causing ripples across the industry. “Hairdressers here are very nervous about AI,” says Antoinette. “A lot of my friends in the UK hairdressing community don’t really understand it, but I think once they do, they’ll be all over it – like with Instagram or Uber.” 

Antoinette is using AI as a tool to elevate her craft, blending traditional hair techniques with digital innovation. “AI is the future, right?” she remarks. Working together with multidisciplinary artist Ed Maximus, they have been experimenting with AI to create mind-bending visuals that bring hair to life in new ways. 

Astral II, Aveda, Antionette Beenders, Ed Maximus

Antionette Beenders, Ed Maximus

Astral II, Aveda, Antionette Beenders, Ed Maximus

The Aveda creative director approaches hair the way fashion houses approach couture. “I see it like ready-to-wear and couture. Ready-to-wear is the everyday hair clients want, and couture is the inspirational, artistic side that might not be worn every day,” she explains. “The hair and face are real, but we’re pushing it further with AI.” 

Despite her love for tech, Antoinette is steadfast in her belief that hairdressing will remain an art form grounded in human touch. “Hairdressers are scared of AI because they fear their trade will vanish. But I don’t think that’ll happen – computers cutting hair isn’t on the horizon yet.” Her message to the industry is clear: embrace technology as a tool, but never lose sight of the fundamentals. As she puts it, “Focus on connection and technique, and let product companies focus on providing high-performance tools.” 

As the conversation draws to a close, Antoinette hints at the future: more AI, more collaborations, and certainly more pushing boundaries. But she’s also adamant about one thing: Aveda will always remain rooted in natural, high-performance products, standing as a beacon for sustainability in an ever-changing industry.  

Astral II, Aveda, Antionette Beenders, Ed Maximus
Astral II, Aveda, Antionette Beenders, Ed Maximus

Hair concept @antoinettebeenders supported by @allenruizstyle @ianmichaelblack 

Artist @edmaximus @walterobal

Production @codeproductions 

“The Position Of Barbershop As A Pillar Of The Community Had Been Lost… And We Wanted To Change That.”

“The Position Of Barbershop As A Pillar Of The Community Had Been Lost… And We Wanted To Change That.”

“The Position Of Barbershop As A Pillar Of The Community Had Been Lost… And We Wanted To Change That.”

Take a look inside time, a new barbering space that’s set to bring back the community element of the industry.

by AMANDA | DOCUMENTS

Founded by former It List Rising Stars Tommy Cunliffe and Callum McDonald, along with fellow barber Tom Hunt, time. is on a mission to live up to its name. The main objective? For the space to be somewhere for locals to come together and have a good time. “We felt like somewhere along the line, the position of barbershop as a pillar of the community had been lost… and we wanted to change that,” explains the trio.

They’ve taken special care to curate the ideal space, with thanks to Chris Tidy Architects – barber chairs from Japan, a coffee brew bar, bespoke joinery (because it’s all in the details). Family-run workshop Duel Works created all the work stations to exact measurements and specifications after a “frankly terrifying initial quote” from another firm. The mirrors are a favourite element. Originally from India, the gang drove three hours out of town to pick them up from an antique dealer before getting a carpenter to bring them back to life. “We feel they only enhance our theory of time being the most important factor,” they explain. “They’re as old as the hills, took ages to pick-up and ages to refurbish, but are so worth it.” But more important that the interiors is the vibe they’re aiming to create – attentive and tailored but also friendly, caring, inclusive and relaxed. We believe time is on their side…

The New Frontier


The New Frontier


From Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton Men to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, the modern take on all things cowboy is a far cry from the traditional Stetson-toting symbol of the wild west. Think of the Compton Cowboys, astride their steeds in urban Los Angeles. Cowboy Core is diverse, inclusive and rewriting the trad image of what we knew.

by AMANDA | DOCUMENTS

As BaByliss PRO unveils its latest styling innovation STILISTA, it partnered with Creative HEAD to challenge ambassadors Michelle Sultan and Tariq Howes to deliver a uniquely personal take on what ‘modern cowboy’ means to them. With the entire BaByliss PRO tool portfolio at their fingertips, they took a fresh journey through the American West. It’s time to saddle up and explore…

Tariq Howes

The 2024 Most Wanted Men’s Hair Specialist, Tariq is an integral part of Jody Taylor’s session team (alongside Nick Barford, Tariq’s team mate on this shoot), sharing his textured hair expertise for labels such as Vetements. Long-time collaborator with Tariq, Lauraine Bailey, was also on set as a master of intricate braiding. Tariq is also the founder of Avenue Barbers in Cardiff, a popular educator and platform artist and a longtime ambassador for BaByliss PRO – those clippers barely leave his hand!

Michelle Sultan

Celebrity stylist beloved by the likes of Alison Hammond and Alex Scott, Michelle is known for her effervescent aesthetic and exceptional creativity on hair of all textures. When she’s not on set or in the studio, you can find her at Battersea’s legendary Hype Coiffure (along with team mates Deen and Schola, pictured) and working on projects for BaByliss PRO as an ambassador.

Well, hello, Dolly! Michelle couldn’t style up a cowboy-inspired shoot and not invite Ms Parton out to play with one of the largest wigs we’ve ever seen. “We’ve made it Dolly and put texture and movement into it, so it’s not straight blonde,” explains Michelle, “and it’s heavy, almost like it’s been roller set for about 10 years…”.

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO Heated Ceramic Rollers.

Michelle loves to create a character building, so welcome her urban cowgirl. “She’s fearless. She’s carefree,” says Michelle. “She lives in a hot climate in Arizona. The hair is slightly sun-kissed. She’s strong, a warrior. That’s the vibe. She’s my queen!”.

Toolkit: The BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer and the pik attachment, to prep the hair, stretch it out and braid it down. Then, pre-formed faux locks were added, crocheting them for a high pile on top.

“The Billy Ray Cyrus look gives me trailer park vibes, with the mullet, the flat top and the slicked back sides. I wanted to give a textured hair version of that,” explains Tariq. “It’s a square flat top with extensions at the back to make the hair really elongated. It’s super cool.” Shout out to Lauraine Bailey who painstakingly weaved in those lengths over hours…

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer, BaByliss PRO STILISTA (to smooth out ahead of weaving in the extensions) and the BaByliss PRO FX ONE Lo-Pro Clipper and Skeleton Trimmer, to shape the flat top.

Now, let’s get a little more soulful. Think Rick James along with Coming to America’s Darryl Jenks. “Think Soul Glow, soaking wet curls at the back,” smiles Tariq. “Also, a bit of Lionel Richie. That’s the vibe we’re going to go for…

Toolkit: The BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer and pik, to pull out a little more on top.

With those lengths Michelle delivers a nod to Beyoncé. “This is my Cowboy Carter – who doesn’t love that image of the hair and the cowboy hat?” she asks.

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO STILISTA for wrapping in a little texture.

And with such a canvas, it would be a crime not to get a little playful – Michelle hit up the fashion team to borrow some accessories to embellish those lengths and plaits. “We just wanted to get some texture in there, just as if they live in the desert and they just braid their hair.”

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO STILISTA smoothed and straightened the roots and mid-lengths, leaving the ends with a raw finish, before some braids and accessories were added.

 

We’re hitting the 1950s with this Johnny Cash-meets-Elvis vibe. “I think those comb marks are iconic,” says Tariq. “They stand out. It brings out the hair as more of a feature in the final image.”

Toolkit: The BaByliss PRO FX ONE Lo-Pro Clipper was used to taper hair at the neck, before the BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer primed it all back into shape, ahead of slicking it back with pomade.

Then with a little more action at the front to fall into the face and a dryer finish, Johnny Cash just got cooler.

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer in at the roots and to push back on the sides.

Michelle took inspiration from the model’s own Afro and just kept on going. “We wanted to build on that, using lots of textured pieces, making it huge!”

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer and diffuser (to build in movement with plenty of hairspray), with the pik (to pull it out a little bit in places).

Next up, this is giving Beyonce-meets-Dolly Parton-meets Jolene. It’s blonde with dirty roots, she’s that sexy cowgirl. “It’s kind of old school but making it modern – a little bit trashy, almost,” smiles Michelle.

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO Heated Ceramic Rollers to get that smoothness.

We’re back to Billy Ray Cyrus, whose mullet was cut quite square, quite high on top. Not this time – Tariq wanted more of a true flat top

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO FX ONE Lo-Pro Clipper to cut a guideline for the middle, and then clipper over comb to create a true flat top. The BaByliss PRO Falco Dryer helped to push back the sides and set the gel. 

Now to more of a modern flat top, shaved-in tight at the side to make it more square, more extreme.

Toolkit: BaByliss PRO FX ONE Lo-Pro Clipper.

Discover more about the new BaByliss PRO STILISTA

A Creative HEAD shoot in partnership with BaByliss PRO

HAIR: Tariq Howes, assisted by Lauraine Bailey and Nick Barford; Michelle Sultan, assisted by Deen Fashola and Schola Rose, for BaByliss PRO
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: Bob Foster (A&R CREATIVE), assisted by Luke Weller
PRODUCER: Joanna Kidd (Creative HEAD)
FASHION: Twinks Burnett, assisted by Rosie Devine
MAKE-UP: Tricia Woolston using Pat McGrath, assisted by Megan Goram
EDITORIAL: Amanda Nottage (Creative HEAD)
SOCIAL MEDIA: Kelsey Dring and Aofie Connell (Creative HEAD), assisted by Harry Dotters
BTS PHOTOGRAPHY: Harvey Williams-Fairley
VIDEOGRAPHY: Charlie Guy-Wilson and Ben Cooke (Clockwise.Film)
MODELS: Alan Bea; Olivia Belgrave-Ruse (The Milk Collective); Ryan Brown; She-Lan Duane (W MGMT); Robbie Jr; Skye Metrowich (Zone Models)
SHOT AT: Street Studios

When Errol And STIL Hit Shanghai

When Errol And STIL Hit Shanghai

When Errol And STIL Hit Shanghai

by KELSEY | CREATIVE PROJECTS

The creative sparks flew!

Every year, thousands (around 40,000, to be exact) of hairdressers from China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and beyond descend upon Shanghai for the Asian Hairdesigner Festival. This incredible three-day event, a riot of shows, seminars, shopping and feasting, is organised by the Asian Hairdesigner Association (AHA) as a showcase of the new hair trends and techniques from amongst its illustrious members. Alsoring featu in this year’s line-up, as guests of AHA founder Eric Zhao, were Errol Douglas MBE, plus colourist Christel Barron-Hough and her photographer husband Alex, co-owners of Chelsea salon STIL. Both teams delivered a seminar and show that injected a shot of London cool into the mix. Creative HEAD was in the audience…

 

STIL

The Concept

What made you accept an invitation to appear at the AHF in Shanghai?

Alex: This was an opportunity for Christel and me to come together to create something specifically for STIL – a photographic collection and a film that would then feed into a seminar at the AHF. It felt very different to when we both work for other brands, and we have to work to their brief. This was a blank canvas for us to get creative and push our boundaries.

You created an incredible photographic collection and film for your trip, which featured a collaboration with session stylist Nick Irwin. How did you incorporate his ideas into your work?

Christel: I’m inspired by Scandinavian film-making and the interplay between light and dark, which directors such as Ingmar Bergman use for dramatic effect. I wanted the collection to play around with shadow and blurring, so it reflected that landscape. Nick was very excited by the looks we wanted to create and added his spin by making things a bit more editorial, not-so-perfect looking, so the wigs were placed so they obviously looked like wigs, for example.

The Prep

While in Shanghai you had to rely on a team of assistants you’d never met before. How did this impact on your prep?

Christel: Often when you work on shows abroad these days you will inherit a local support team and sometimes the language barrier can be a challenge. But the beauty with hairdressing is that we all speak the same language when it comes to creating looks and styles. The team in Shanghai were absolutely fantastic – talented, lots of attention to detail and incredibly hardworking, which made our experience very pleasant and enjoyable.

STIL models

The Seminar

Talk us through the looks you showcased during your seminar…

Christel: I chose to do one look that was quite creative and inspired by fashion and another that was more commercial but that also had personality through creative colour. We do a lot of Scandi-bobs in the salon because they’re so wearable, but the creative placement of the fuchsia shades brought out a more playful side and hopefully gave inspiration to the audience. My second look, featuring a mesh that I melded onto the head, is something I’ve seen Eugene Souleiman create a version of, but I had watched a documentary about hat-making and I found it interesting because they were talking about silhouette and sculpting. So that’s what inspired me to show something that played around with different textures, with the top super-sleek and the hair a bit more deconstructed at the back and a mesh in different colours sculpted onto the head to keep everything super-tight. But this was also about colour placement because I wanted to continue the theme from our photo-collection of things working but also not working at the same time, so I left the roots, kept the ends really bright and chose the red to contrast with the pink and yellow of the mesh.

The Show

And then came the show… It brought the house down!

Christel: The show was driven by the original creative shoot that was shot in London. We presented a total of five models and the concept was highly focused on personality and colour, which was complemented by the content playing on the screens.

Alex: We knew the film was going to play out on a series of enormous, curved screens on the night of the show, so we decided to showcase each look as if it were a portrait. We filmed each model in really slow motion because we wanted the audience to think that each portrait was a still image before realising that tiny details were moving. We wanted the film really to draw people in and create a more immersive experience. And it was also a feast of colour because we had different models on different screens – there was stuff that was yellow, stuff that was orange, there was colour everywhere. Opening your brand up to new territories and markets is always positive, especially to your peers and the trade press. It’s important for to share our concept and vision for our brand outside of the UK. With our backgrounds in education and production/image making this is a great platform to bring it all together and share what inspires us at STIL.

Errol

Shanghai is a long way from London! Why did you make the trip?

 When I got the invitation from Eric Zhao, I didn’t hesitate. The AHF is one of the most successful gatherings of hairdressers in this region, it’s been going since 2006 so it has a really successful heritage. Even though I have lots of clients who come from China, and I know a lot of hairdressers in the country, I’d never been before. When the chance came up, it was a ‘Hell yes!’

How did you go about deciding on the theme and content for your seminar and show? What ideas did you want to share with the audience?

 My show was called Motions and is loosely based on my most recent photographic collection – Frame. We pushed the ideas that were born in Frame to the extreme, so they had maximum impact on the stage, translating the hair looks I’d created and reinventing them for a live show.

 

Errol Douglas
Errol Douglas

You used some incredible outfits on your models. How did this come about and how important is it that every detail reflects your brand?

It’s impossible to separate hair from fashion when you’re creating a show. Every detail reflects an overall look and it’s so important to make sure every element is totally cohesive. I wouldn’t necessarily say the Errol Douglas brand has a definitive ‘look’ because for us, it’s about always evolving and adapting, reacting to trends and interpreting them in our own unique vision. For this show, I worked with Christina Davies, a highly acclaimed designer from Central St Martins who I’ve been collaborating with recently. She’s really going places. Her instinct for fabric, fluidity and texture brought to life with body-sculpting clothes and knitwear has a real contemporary feel.

Talk us through the looks you showcased during your seminar…

During the seminar, I wanted to demonstrate two of the looks I’d be presenting in my show and how I bring those very futuristic, avant-garde concepts to life. It’s important for me as an educator to make sure people can see and understand my vision. Step one is the foundations of the looks, so before anything, I talk through the structure needed to hold the hair. The starting point for the seminar was right back to basics, demonstrating how you create a corn roll that forms the base to sew in the hair. I worked intricately with hair pieces, which were made specially for the show and included hours of pre-show work. The main way I make the hair maintain a realistic edge is I don’t use too many pins, choosing instead to mainly weave or sew the pieces together. Also in the seminar, I taught how visually to create a shape, plus the importance of pre-planning and always stepping away from your model to check the shape is coming together how you want it. You should never create a hairstyle that just gets placed on without thinking how it suits the model and you also have to make sure you’re using appropriate products for the prep.

… And the looks for the show…

During the seminar, I’d already demonstrated the techniques of two of the looks, which we then recreated in a bolder, stronger way and stepped things up a notch to create drama and a spectacular vision for the evening gala show. Overall, I was really pleased with how it all came together. The looks were super dramatic, incorporating extreme flowing lengths and bold, eye-catching colours in crushed pink and a striking azure blue. You have to be super careful with placements when you’re doing colour fades. It’s not easy to do and all the hair pieces were sewn in by hand.

Which part of the show/seminar gave you personally the most creative satisfaction? Was it a particular moment, or did you find the whole process creatively satisfying?

There’s definitely something satisfying about the whole process of designing and staging a show. Bringing a small, creative vision to life on a huge stage to a global audience is hard to beat. There’s not really a moment to sit back and enjoy the show yourself as it’s so busy backstage getting the models prepped and out on the runway, but it is a great feeling when you take to the stage yourself at the end, seeing the happy faces and soaking up the applause. For me too, it’s a great buzz when you know your models feel amazing – you can see it in their faces and how they walk. That satisfaction of ‘it’s done’ and knowing that we’d executed the show beautifully  without a foot wrong, was my highlight.

How do appearances like this help build the Errol Douglas brand?

They help massively. Errol Douglas is an international brand and I’ve always been dedicated to sharing the amazing reputation of UK hairdressing around the world. This year alone I’ve taken part in major shows in Australia, Portugal and Korea. Each country I’ve ever visited has its own take on their homegrown industry and I love learning and taking elements away with each new experience, in turn sharing my experiences and knowledge too. Being curious and interested is the secret to staying power, it’s a big world out there and there’s so much to learn from it.

“This Is More Than Just A Salon; It Is A Beautiful Place That We Look Forward To Being In Every Day” – Ursula Moore On Bond’s New Location

“This Is More Than Just A Salon; It Is A Beautiful Place That We Look Forward To Being In Every Day” – Ursula Moore On Bond’s New Location

“This Is More Than Just A Salon; It Is A Beautiful Place That We Look Forward To Being In Every Day” – Ursula Moore On Bond’s New Location

The founder of Bond shares all about the larger space, designed with both the team and clients in mind.

by  | CREATIVE PROJECTS

Located in the heart of Shoreditch in the serene and picturesque Arnold Circus you’ll find the new Bond salon space. An upgrade in size from the previous iteration, founder Ursula Moore felt it was time to expand and offer clients something new. “I had noticed this location a few years ago and always envisioned it as an ideal spot for a hair salon,” she shares. Packed with unique charm away from the bustling Shoreditch High Street, it gives clients a fresh hairdressing destination that stands out from the crowd.

The first salon, designed by Jenny at Milk Design, featured a modern deco aesthetic that was both minimalistic and warm. When considering the new interior, Ursula knew it was crucial to carry over this design ethos to the new location, as it is integral to the brand identity. “The colour scheme throughout is feminine with a strength to it, striking a perfect balance between elegance and resilience,” she comments. She opted for timeless, durable elements such as oak wood furniture, alongside timeless classics, such as The Adria II styling chair from Takara Belmont. The inclusion of black worktops, fixtures, and fittings throughout adds an edgy sophistication.

The lie-down wash beds, designed in collaboration with Max Woodall, are also a highlight of the salon and unsurprisingly have gone down a storm with clients. “It was important to us that the hair wash experience is something to look forward to,” Ursula explains. “Additionally, I had the backwash area elevated slightly so that taller individuals, like me, do not have to crane over while shampooing, making the process more comfortable for both clients and stylists.”

Spanning three floors, the new location also offers an abundance of natural light, especially on the top floor, which is used for styling. It features two large skylights and windows running the full length of one side of the room with a beautiful view of the park opposite.

To deliver a calm environment for both team and clients, Bond specialises in personalised one-on-one services with longer appointment times. This ensures that when working on a client’s hair, stylists dedicate their full attention exclusively to the client, even during hair colour processing. This also reduces wait times, delivering a totally serene experience.

“I aimed to create an environment that would be enjoyable not only for our clients but also for our team,” Ursula says. “This is more than just a salon; it is a beautiful place that we look forward to being in every day.”

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