To “create a scalable new brand in luxury beauty salons that would look at home in any major international
city” was a fabulous brief and challenge for our team for this young entrepreneurial client. The chosen first location was a disused café surrounded by Manchester’s finest hang out icons. There was an
initial challenge of space planning to convert the space to a commercial unit accommodating 4 key elements:
spray tanning, hair & makeup, manicure and pedicure sections as well as spa treatment zones. To set this apart
we wanted this to be the ultimate luxury beauty experience conceptualised as a top-to-toe journey through
the salon which could entail a one-after-another treatments - if so desired. This means you can leave the salon
fully complete and pampered looking and feeling fabulous down to finishing touches such as your perfume of
choice.
From the customer’s initial entry we designed all the zones to be visible to entice one immediately. The nail
bar is front of house as a social spot to share a glass of bubbly and is designed with a clear top surface to
showcase the additional nail enhancement products available along with a candy store approach to the double
fronted display of products behind and in the front window. We had a specific challenge with the acoustic
protection between the zones as we wanted to keep the hair and makeup upbeat with appropriate music, yet
protect a calmer tranquil mood in the treatment and message spa area. Bespoke surfaces consisting of
automotive-level paint which were applied in 22 layers to give a durable and polished feel with a high
reflection to compliment the polished brass (which can be seen as details like skirting board and architrave
inserts) and pick out the gold veins in the calacatta oro marble floor. The tinted antiqued mirror helps reflect
an air of sophistication. A great deal of thought was given to the mechanical and electrical elements, as an
example the integrated ambient lighting to the cabinetry with adjustable levels as well as bespoke pendants
and all zones are equipped with independent temperature control. We and the customer are thrilled with how
this new venture has been received and we look forward to replicating more units in interesting locations in
the future.