Welcome Wakefields., an all-new salon space in Sydney’s Surry Hills and the passion project of Dane Wakefield, which promises a fun, welcoming, luxury environment and a vibe unlike you’ve ever experienced before.
Built on the back of Dane’s inimitable experience, the salon fuses his salon and session expertise with colour leaders for ever-trending services that cater to Surry Hills’ high-end demographic. Beyond these luxe services, education is also a core value for Dane and the Wakefields. brand.
“I’ve been in this amazing industry for 17 years now,” Dane explained of his experience. “I started my wild journey down south in the shire, working at a great salon with an amazing boss and mentor in Mark Gardner. He showed me how a passion for hair can not only be a career but an extremely rewarding one too! I worked at every Fashion Week and Fashion Festival and volunteered at any styling opportunity or hair show I could. I was so keen!”
“Once I had reached the top of my game there I was in search of more knowledge and craved skills that I saw all over social media and that’s when I moved to the big smoke and was given a position at EdwardsAndCo. This place opened my eyes to a world of colour that I could only dream of. I jumped right in and worked hard, putting myself forward for as many opportunities I could. Then I found myself teaching alongside Jaye [Edwards]. That’s when I found my real passion in educating.”
Dane counts industry leaders, both nationally and globally, such as Chris Appleton, Jen Atkin, Renya Xydis, Natalie Anne and Jaye Edwards as mentors and educators who have inspired him, building his own love of education to pass on this motivation.
“Seeing young and even old hairdressers understanding and being truly excited about techniques or formulations I have showed them is what gives me goosebumps, I love being able to help stylists be the absolute best versions of themselves and unlock their full potential.”
Dane’s career has spanned beyond these salon, backstage and education realms, also allowing him to become a celebrity stylist for stars such as Abbie Chatfield, Elle Ferguson and Olympia Vallance. The Wakefields. space borrow this sense of celebrity-style indulgence, not only in its modern aesthetic, but also in its highly intentional sense of the truest luxury of all – comfort.
“I wanted to create a ‘nineties and noughties New York but now’ vibe and I think we have really nailed it,” he shared. “I wanted the area that the clients spend the most time in, being the colour table, to be user friendly and really relaxing, so we have made sure there is power conveniently positioned for our working gals, and it is at the end of the salon with the most amazing city views for those wanting to forget the real world and zone out completely. We also have multiple content areas for client comfort that also showcase the space.”
“I chose to use lighter colours to keep the space light and bright, which is ideal for the team and me to create the best hair possible, but with pops of deep rich colours to give warmth and texture to the space.”
Partnering with leading brands and distributors such as O&M, Rogue Beauty and Robe Haircare, Dane has chosen products that align with his and the salon values of a “clean, no nasties approach to hair and scalp care”, sharing that it’s essential for him that Wakefields. is part of this green movement. This environmental, healthy approach to hair informs the service menu, as well.
“We have an extensive treatment menu for those queens looking to start or maintain their healthy hair goals,” Dane said. “My favourite trend right now is the healthy hair journey everyone is on! Healthy hair is always on trend. Also, enhancing soft natural tones in the hair colour these days seems so much more elevated. It’s giving wealth, it’s giving decadence, it’s giving ‘I own everything’!”
Old money blondes, expensive brunettes, lived in melts and high impact dimension, as well as must-have blow dries, are also features of the Wakefields. service menu.
Many years in the making and built on a wealth of experience, Wakefields. is poised for a bright future.
“I have spent the past few years mentally, financially and emotionally preparing myself to open Wakefields.,” Dane said. “Creating my absolutely breathtaking space in the heart of Sydney’s Surry Hills has been a wild ride but I could not be prouder of the space I have created and the person I’ve become along the way!”
For more information visit www.wakefields.salon
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