Creative HEAD May 2017

#SalonSmart17
IN CHARGE
insured for £1m, but perhaps the most jaw dropping is his
first meeting with Sharon Stone. “My assistant and I went
to her suite at The Savoy, and she was just flawless, and so
funny and clever. She didn’t mind what I did, and didn’t
even look in the mirror. I was admiring her red Dior dress
hanging on the back of the door, and mentioned how tiny it
was.” ‘Darling, I’m ripped’, was Sharon’s response, at which
point the Hollywood star dropped her robe to reveal her
perfectly sculpted (and utterly naked) body!
All this success he puts down to tenacity, doggedly getting
his name out there to editors and TV producers, with Allan
repeatedly calling the offices of Vogue and The Clothes Show,
undeterred when the repeated reply would be “Charles
who?”. His lucky break came when one of these calls chimed
perfectly with The Clothes Show needing a hairstylist at the
last minute and a TV career was born.
As ever, the salon brand is synonymous with amazing
service and beautiful hair, which Charles puts down to his
twin track training that sees communications up there
alongside the craft of hair. “The team are all-rounders, and
the clients really enjoy going through the whole journey
with one person,” he says. “It’s all about giving value for
money, attention to detail.” This training and investment in
people also means staff know there are opportunities ahead,
and it entices them to stay for longer.
It’s no wonder Charles was honoured with an MBE by
the Queen. He’s very possibly the nicest gentleman in
hairdressing, a characteristic that he says is an important
one. “Be nice to people along the way – you never know who
you’ll meet again,” he smiles.
CHARLES IN A FLASH
GREATEST BUSINESS CHALLENGE?
“Setting up that first salon”
MOST IMPORTANT LESSON?
“Live in the moment and enjoy
the journey”
A PIECE OF ADVICE?
“Always remember the
client is king, and don’t
take anyone for granted”
CREATIVE HEAD 57