Mayfair trained hair colour specialist, magic-handed scissor-whiz and entrepreneur James Lefevre (Jay) opened his first hair salon 15th March 2016 in North London’s villagey and creative haunt Crouch End.
The oh-so-bright, and with-more-drive-than-a-professional-strength-GHD-hairdryer hairstylist Jay worked on perfecting a business plan from December 2014. Jay was granted the funds September 2015. As well as the business plan having to be tighter than a ballerina bun for the money to be released, Mr Lefevre was required to have premises, with lease, lined up and ready to be signed.
The day after the funds were transferred into Jay’s account, the landlord of said property decided he no longer wanted a hair salon residing in his gaff, and abruptly pulled out. The crimped, but not diffused, Mr Lefevre was straight back on the commercial-property-hunt horse.
To follow, two more ceramic-straighteners-touching-scalp experiences with wouldn’t-know-the-truth-if-it-twatted-them-around-the-chops estate agents, and greedier-than-Katie-Price-at-a-complimentary-hair-extension-demonstration London landlords that not only cropped valuable time but also trimmed into the loan. A 17th-century fontange forward-beehive are less tricky to erect than dealing with the aforementioned real-estate rats.
Much like the agony of finding a decent hairdresser, Jay finally picked up the keys to the shop where Crown London (CL) now lives 1st February. Then the refurb. A four-week job became six, and Jay swiftly learnt the art of painting, sanding and managing a pink-tool-belt-sporting, prolific-with-profanities gay builder, who’s under the misconception a full day’s graft is four hours, not eight.
But after much blood, sweat and Farrow & Ball, Crown London introduced themselves to the Crouch-End-ites with the bouffant of all launch parties, the mother of all soirees – with Jay’s lovely mother in tow – an opening swing-dig that had so much volume the guests were serum-ing out onto Park Road.
Jay’s right-hand woman, Sassou Ouertani, organised the Jackson-Five-afro of all raffles with the help and generosity of local businesses such as Porky’s, Bar Esteban and Cannons fish and chip restaurant – the best open-or-wrapped in north Old Smoke – who donated prizes. Mr Lefevre was also charitable donating Vital Force products, CL’s own range of 100% natural shampoos, conditioners and treatments. All the proceeds went to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Crown London is not only a prestigious salon, CL exhibits the fine art snaps of EarlandLadyGray Photography, vintage copper bulbs and light fittings from Kobber as well as stylish and contemporary home accessories from beautiful home furnishing Duck Barn Interiors. You can pop in for a blow dry, full head of colour or balayage and slurp a Monmouth latte while admiring modern London architecture black-and-white stills, and beautiful vases and other gorgeous objets d’art from Duck Barn.
If you’re thinking about getting your locks cut, your roots done or you want a completely new look – Jay is not only one of the most proficient, passionate perfectionists in the trade, sod hearing about ya holiday – you’ll wanna share your woes and exchange life stories – he’s the Kerastase of creative designers, the mohawk of cosmetologists, the platinum-blond of hairdressers.
It’s worth a trip north for a relaxing head massage, the luxury treatment and to leave with the best do ever to sit on your crown.
Crown London
24 Park Road
London
N8 8TD
Phone: 0208 3405 055
http://www.crownlondonsalon.com
