New York — The ‘Curl Experts’ at Ouidad Salon in New York City were in full swing Wednesday night giving viewers a peak into the wavy world of curls. Trays of champagne and miniature cupcakes whirled around the place as a stream of curled manes walked through the salon.
“We are bringing curls and texture back to the runway!” yells Ouidad, the founder. We are here tonight to get a glimpse of the styles she and her team of curl crusaders whipped up for famed clothing designers Tara Subkoff and Rebecca Minkoff for New York Fashion Week Spring 2011. With styles ranging from Old Hollywood glam ringlets to soft, wavy “bed head”, the models easily answered the nagging question of “What do I do with my hair today?”
After coming to NYC from London in 1977 to work on Broadway shows, Lebanonese talent Ouidad flourished in the curl market. “In the past, people didn’t know what to do with it. They were afraid of it. Everyone started sending people with curly hair to me” she quipped. Now, Ouidad is the leader of a global phenomenon.
Since opening her first salon in April of 1984, the “Queen of Curls” has cornered the market in comas adding renowned hair stylist, salon owner, global educator, mother, and industry icon to her list of accomplishments. Her fail-proof ‘Carve and Slice’ cut has allowed numerous customers the bouncy, defined curl they have always longed for. Already known for training her new stylists to make sure they understand their clients with both internal and external communication, she has taken her teaching to the next level by enhancing the curriculum in schools to be more informed about curly hair (70% of people have some sort of curl pattern in their hair). “Hair is beauty,” she states, “It isn’t just external, but internal. It’s about being happy with who you are.”
With a full line of products on the market and prestigious salons across the country, it is easy to see Ouidad is in very high demand. “My mom who has medium to fine curly hair comes in from Chicago every two months to see Alex (an Ouidad stylist)” claims Abby, the e-commerce manager for Ouidad. “Most people think Ouidad salon is for people with tight curls, but really it’s for every culture and ethnicity.” Deborah Blum, a devoted client and model at the event explained, “I came into her salon one day and asked how to fix this mess and I’ve been coming here for over 10 years.”
Ouidad poses with guests during event. (Photo credits: Kristen Somody Whalen)
It seems apparent that anyone who walks into an Ouidad salon is there for life. “People with straight hair may tell a couple of their friends and stay with the same stylist for a few years,” Ouidad states with a sly smile, “but curly haired clients will refer 10 people and stay a lifetime.”
(Image credits: ouidad.com)
