Salako’s style is subtle, seemingly effortless, full of movement and definitely individual

FUNKE OSAE-BROWN

On the front window of his hair salon located in highbrow 85 George Street, London W1 is written in big blue letters, HAIR. The word that gives little away about what goes on behind the glass doors yet it is a boutique salon that offers a relaxed and personal service.

Named after its owner, Jimo Salako, a Briton of Nigeria descent, Salako is located in the Baker Street side of London’s Marylebone. It is situated amongst a selection of lively service and retail shops.

Jimo Salako has more than twenty years experience creating directional looks for fashion magazines and brands before he delved into hair as a stylist offering exceptional cuts and colour for the crème-de-la-creme on the world fashion scene.

He offers regular service to magazines like Vogue and 032c. He has also worked with high end fashion and lifestyle brands such as Stella McCartney, Adidas, Uniqlo and Fendi.

However, he decided to take his craft to a new level in two years ago, when he opened the salon in London with a mission to offer “a no-fuss approach to hair care and his legendary haircuts to a wider public.”

Jimo has a list of core private clients who love exclusivity

The ambiance at the salon is very relaxed, welcoming and intimate. Salako is truly different from intimidating bustles of traditional salons one is used to. That was exactly what Jimo Salako wanted when he opened his arty salon in April of 2013.

Having worked on catwalk shows, music videos and fashion shoots around the world, it was easy for Jimo to have a list of core private clients who love exclusivity. He used to cut the hair of his clients in the front room of his flat before he established Salako.

Some of these clients he met while trotting the globe as a session stylist, and working for magazines such as The Face, Self Service and Vogue, and with photographers like Nick Knight, Norbert Schoerner, David Bailey and Roger Deckker. Jimo has always continued cutting hair for a select group of people, whom he met on location, or sent by word of mouth.

Salako’s style is subtle, seemingly effortless, full of movement and definitely individual, neither formulaic nor trend-led. His cut is about artisanal hair-craftsmanship. His cuts always have that right touch of newness and currency without necessary following trends.

His inspiration ranges from obscure 1960s European films to contemporary art and design. This diverse knowledge of popular culture feeds into the various looks that he has created over the past twenty years for luxury fashion brands and music clients including: Comme des Garcons, Fendi, Stella McCartney, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Neneh Cherry including his salon.

His inspiration ranges from obscure 1960s European films to contemporary art and design

Salako will always travel to you if you want haircutting, blow drying and hair-up services at your location. If you want a haircut plus blow-dry as home service, the average price with a senior stylist is N62,173.37 (£200) but if want Jimo Salako himself, you have to make a special request and this comes with a price tag of N139, 875.29 (£450). Cut and blow-dry at the salon for ladies with a senior stylist starts from N24, 869.59 (£80) for men it is from £55. If you prefer Jimo Salako for ladies price starts from N37, 300.56 (£120) while for men it is from N27, 975.06 (£90).