Interview: Jean-Claude Gallon

The name of your salon is Jean-Claude Gallon Cheveux, can you explain your message ?
I wanted to precise that the subject of that space is the hair. A profession represented by its tools, haircuts, hair colors and creations.
To highlight that profession, I chose an intimate place to work the difference and the tailor-made work.
I like to say that luxury is not a synonym of vastness. This is first a possibility to express myself !

You are reported to be the favorite hairdresser of stars, designers and editorial boards...
I don't recognize myself in all of that. I had a traditional career at the beginning and a personality which needs freedom. As soon as I finish investigating a subject, my curiosity leads me to fly away even more. I like pushing my experiences, going further again and again.
You can't put me in a compartment. Thus, when I feel I am hang a routine, that I don't transmit a new artistic message, I prefer I keep time for objectivity, investigation.

What you present can be also applied to the evolution of your salons ?
Yes indeed. I started with salon flat in the street Saint Honoré, very confidential, than I became the artistic director of the house CARITA. This was where I discovered the work in cabin and the importance of feeling well whatever what happened in the past.
Then in 2003, I created the Salons d'Hôtes for the academy Kokusaïbunka. Then in 2007, I decided to get to essence at 3 rue Paul Louis Courier. This setting is really a jewel box and the whole design evokes the hair.

What's the route of your clients in your setting ?
The shampoos are done in individual spaces. The universe of the cabins is quite dark to optimize that first contact with the company and that way it facilitates our concentration during the hair care rituals. Then I go to my space where you can see, thanks to the disposition of the mirrors, the evolution of the work on all sides.
That's when I like « humanizing » the hair. Hair is life, a shape, a direction…

What do you think about the profession today ?
The level of hairdressing expertise is decreasing. The profession is being banalized and a whole generation of women doesn't know what is a good work, but they never complain because they don't know anything else. Well, for example, if you are used to delicate flavors, to taste different things, to classify shapes, you'll only enjoy thing ... worse. That's the same for hairdressing ! Indeed, If I wanted to pay tribute to the one who made my sense of aestheticism, it would be my mother. She has that intuition for the common sense, the good taste.

Do you have new projects ?
Yes, I have one very important to me: writing a book. I've been working for a long time for an ephemeral art and with a book I would like to leave an imprint. But if you agree, I will tell you about that when the time comes !