Profile

The four co-owners of this West Soho salon are rewriting the "too many cooks spoil the broth" adage. Their distinct talents sweeten it: Janette Bower excels at color, John Kovacs and Norman James at cuts, and bubbly Renee Serra is a multitasking dynamo at both. The foursome, who worked together at Vidal Sassoon in the late eighties, reconnected a decade later, pooled their money, and enlisted architect David Howell to convert a watch repair shop into a split-level, 2,300-square-foot salon with giant windows overlooking Hudson Square. Since its 1997 opening, advertising and music industry clientele—as many male as female—have gravitated to the come-as-you-are staff, who, with their fringed leather tool belts, large tattoos, and vintage track jackets, could be an MTV studio cast. With no single personality dominating, the anti-diva owners emphasize customization and personal attention: Consultations are thorough, and stylists, not assistants, blow dry after cuts. When not doing purple Mohawks, Bower’s color team achieves natural-looking, integrated highlights with the ammonia-free Italian Herbé hair color line. Most clients opt for a customized Davines conditioning treatment afterwards, probably because the accompanying head massage and moisture-sealing hot towel wrap is a recipe for bliss. — Rose Reis

Related Stories

Featured In

• Top Five Salons for Blondes (5/14/09)