Creative HEAD February 2020

Does
what it
says on
the tin
24FT X 8FT X 8.8FT – THAT’S THE SIZE OF A COMPACT AND BIJOU DOUCE SALON, CONVERTED
ALUMINIUM AIRSTREAMS THAT ARE SMARTENING UP CLIENTS ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST.
CO-FOUNDER PHIL BENTON EXPLAINS WHY HE IS THE EPITOME OF A MOBILE HAIRDRESSER
BRIGHT, SHINY AND full of character, douce’s eye-catching exterior
is guaranteed to make you do a double take. A caravan that’s actually
a hair salon? It’s not your typical salon de coiffure, but that’s just
one of the many reasons that makes douce – French for fresh – an
extraordinary hair destination, and the winner of the 2019 Most
Wanted Award for Best New Boutique Salon.
Phil Benton, co-founder of douce, bought a 1964 Tradewind Land
Yacht Airstream (affectionately known as Sandy) and set about turning
it into the brand’s second creative hub. “It truly was a family effort from
start to fi nish,” Phil reveals. “The blood, sweat and tears were all part
of the journey.”
Equipped with three stylist chairs and a backwash basin, the salon
on wheels is completely self-contained with built-in electrics, gas, solar
panels and hot water. And although practical, the douce mobile salons
pride themselves on having as attention-grabbing interiors as their
burnished outer shells. “The design and build were worked on for fi ve
months before completion,” says Phil. “Following the concept of the
previous salon, we sourced ’60s décor and magazines from vintage
fairs and intertwined walnut and birch to combine old and new.”
Describing itself as a ‘lifestyle brand’, douce offers a friendly
environment and place to relax that can bend around the daily and
personal activities of its customers. Catering to all, clients can choose
36 CREATIVE HEAD