We spoke to prolific hairdresser, owner and director of PALOMA salon and environmental champion Paloma Garcia about clothes, colour, climate and so much more.
HOW HAS PALOMA SALON CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?
As the years continue to pass by, the team and reputation has grown from strength to strength. Gaining a strong identity in the consumer market of being a beautiful salon to visit, delivering world class hair and service, focusing on the small gestures that give our guests a break from all that modern day demands is key for us. The salon team is fuss and drama free and demonstrates teamwork every single day while the values and beliefs of the brand grown stronger each year, demonstrating the power of giving great hair. Most importantly, we help people really in need through our social outreach programs, be it gender diverse young people, health care workers or assisting in raising awareness and funds for important issues such as mental health and climate change. We value and love giving back to our community.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE FASHION LABELS LATELY?
Matteau, ESSE Studios, NAGNATA, Acne Studios, Maggie Marilyn and Fella Hamilton, for a variety of reasons for beautiful designs, likeminded conscious brands that make huge efforts around the footprints they leave on this planet.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A LOST ART IN HAIR?
At PALOMA we are all really into the classic velcro roller blow dry. The hair is super shiny, voluminous, bouncy and sexy.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR HAIR AESTHETIC?
Undone, fuss free, highly suitable to face shape and lifestyle, fresh, modern and cool.
WHAT CONVERSATIONS DO YOU HAVE WITH YOUR TEAM THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE HAD TEN YEARS AGO?
Our work with Transcend last year was huge, working in support for this amazing organisation, supporting young gender diverse and transgender people. We participated in education, including ways of raising awareness with our community and clientele, and how to hold conversation with this community. It was a big education piece for myself and the team, and of course our clientele and community. Communication is always a working piece. We have a big workshop next month with a communication specialist. I am passionate about shifting the norm about what is OK and not OK to converse with, with clients. We don’t do the typical ‘where do you live? What do you do for work? Are you married? What are you doing tonight?’. There is no place for it, and it’s none of our business to be asking these questions, we focus on getting to know our guests and understanding what brings them joy in life.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN HAIR COLOUR TRENDS CHANGE THIS YEAR?
I have seen some gorgeous copper work coming out of the salon of late – really beautiful from soft and natural apricots to super punchy Vivien Westwood coppers!
WHAT CONVERSATIONS AROUND COMMUNITY AND CLIMATE ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR SALON?
Climate is an important conversation to be had, with so much to lose, and the solutions in front of us, hairdressers have the opportunity to hold meaningful conversations unlike many other professions. I mean, how often is the weather spoken about in salon?
WHAT IS ONE ITEM YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
IMBIBE Collagen Powder and Renewal Elixir in my water very day right now!
WHAT’S ONE NEW PRACTICE YOU’VE ADOPTED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS?
Pre-pregnancy my partner and I were doing weekly traditional saunas, now being pregnant we love a weekly magnesium float tank together. We love self-care and this modern-day date night!
For more information visit www.paloma-salon.com
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