Situated in wine country – that is the luxury Hunter Valley in NSW – is a salon space that has been relocated and elevated as of February 2021, which fuses premium services with its top-tier setting. The one of a kind salon is built on the ethos of delivering its regional clients what they truly deserve – unique, exceptional and transformative salon experiences. Meet Bespoke Hair Artistry.
The salon was first formed four years ago by best friends Melissa Shipley, Salon Director, and Ali Gillon, Salon Manager, with the location and space change taking it from three staff members to fourteen, and even adding a brow and lash bar on site. This expansion is built in the experience they deliver, with truly tailored care now in a bigger setting, but with thought and detail that makes each client feel uniquely pampered.
“The primary features of our new salon is in the translation of the guest journey into the salon design,” Melissa explained. “The space was designed around the guest’s physical and emotional journey when visiting a hair salon. We wanted to guide them softly through the process of such a personal thing as their hair being cut, coloured and styled and the emotional journey they go on throughout this.”
In design, this means soft, warm colours and curves in the use of curtains, interior walls, doorways and shelves to inform this approachable setting. The aesthetic is anchored by features such as velvet drapes, tan leather sofas, curved lighting fixtures and benches and simple styling in rich, warm colours. Each section of the salon plays an important part in the journey as well.
“The colour bar hosts comfortable leather chairs, rounded wooden decorative elements and no mirrors to ensure the guest feels relaxed whilst waiting for their colour to process. The hair spa area is a separate area with tinted glass to create a low light calming space. Each individual basin is cocooned by thick velvet drapes to provide the guest with privacy as they enjoy their hair spa experience and they receive a bonus back massage via the leather recliners with built-in shiatsu features,” Melissa said.
Comfortable leather chairs and arched mirrors line the floors, with light wood panelling throughout the space offering uniformity, while the product shelf is also curved and beautifully presented. Retail brands such as Redken, Pureology and Kérastase adorn these shelves with the requisite luxe and signature blonde transformations and the Kérastase Ritual hair spa are hero services.
“Everything was custom designed for our salon, I wanted to create a journey and experience that wasn’t available anywhere else in our region,” she continued. “The colours, shapes, furniture and textiles in the new salon, as well as the layout, all reflect this journey and the luxurious experience we had the vision to create.”
The new salon design was carefully curated by Melissa and an expert design and build team titled After Dark, cultivated by Melissa’s six years working and understanding the client experience. As such, it has quadrupled salon capacity and staff and set high standards for the salon to truly deliver on its salon vision.
It’s not just design and service that makes Bespoke, well, bespoke to every client. It’s the business model that caters to their needs before they’ve even walked through the salon doors.
“Before a guest arrives they will have made their booking via our guest liaison officer,” Melissa said. “This team member is specifically trained in client relationship management to ensure they offer a first class service. They will book in our guest, working with them to find the best time and day with a stylist of their choice.”
“Our team are also trained to take notes about their guests and are encouraged to review these before their guests arrive,” she continued. “These notes may include feedback on a previous hair salon they have been to, what they loved about their haircut last time, their children’s names or even what they ordered from the menu so they can offer it again. When a guest can walk in and their hairstylist can pick up where they left off last time, this all helps deliver that personalised experience and develop a relationship and trust with Bespoke.”
Guests enjoy a wine, coffee or refreshment of choice as they wait, and have a tour of the new space with the guest liaison officer if its their first time. This attention to detail and focus on service defines the luxury experience.
“Our stylists sit down with each guest, every single time they come in, and discuss their individual needs face to face – not through a mirror,” Melissa said. “This is to ensure they feel like a person and are being listened to and heard.”
“After their visit, our stylists or client liaison officer will touch base with the guest via text message to confirm they are satisfied with their experience and result,” Melissa added. “This follow up is an important step as we want our guests to always be happy with their Bespoke experience.”
Bespoke Hair Artistry delivers a myriad of lessons in luxe – in design, approach and true care for its clients, before, during and after their visit. It’s more than a service, it’s an experience, a journey, a transformation and an escape with thought delivered into every aspect.
Luxury, defined.
For more information visit www.bespokehairart.com
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