Culturally, hair salons and barbershops have long been social institutions, and for good reason. They are social hubs, self-care and therapeutic spaces that sit at the heart of communities. For much of Richmond’s modern history, the haircut experience has provided a space for neighbors to speak to one another and reveal how connected we all are. Today, there are many hairstylists and barbers who offer Richmond residents more than just styling. Here are some hairstylists and barbers who have made a meaningful impact on the patrons who visit their shops.
in John Marshall Barber ShopThe city’s history is on full display at The Virginia State Capitol, a downtown building just a few blocks from the Virginia State Capitol that opened as a hotel in 1929 and has been quietly standing on the ground floor ever since.
Manager and barber Hugh Campbell, who cuts hair in a button-down shirt and tie, says his clientele includes “any kind of professional three-piece suit, from government officials to businessmen.” The governor of Virginia has stopped by for a cleaning, and former presidents and celebrities have visited the city.
“Everyone comes in and you connect with them,” Campbell says, adding that they appreciate the nostalgic, personal experience that begins the moment they sit in the original leather chairs that are nearly 100 years old.
In Virginia’s professional center and the state’s business hub, barbers pamper and beautify the well-connected and socialize with those of their own status.
For Campbell, the store’s business-minded and community-oriented nature is best summed up in a long-held saying: “It all starts here at the bottom of John Marshall.”
Fan’s Broad Street location is run by sisters and owners Renada Harris and Kim Washington. Silk Hair Studio Catering to the needs of generations of Black clients, our team of stylists specializes in styles such as silk presses, braids and extensions.
The salon also serves as a hub of connections, ideas and activity, where patrons discuss issues near and far.
“We discuss politics and what’s going on in the world,” Harris said.
Political activists come to canvass for votes, customers post flyers for cultural events, and biweekly hair salon appointments ensure frequent reunions with friends.
The owners also find opportunities to share their passion with customers: Harris and Washington, who are actively involved in preservation efforts in Brown Grove, a historically Black neighborhood in Hanover County, aim to inspire others to do the same.
Beyond the connections clients make in the salon, stylists encourage clients to take pride in their hair as they learn about it, their neighborhoods and community service efforts. “We teach them how to maintain their natural style,” Harris says. “We tell clients, ‘You can do it, too.'”
Luminary Hair Co., Ltd.Opened in 2017 by owner Carly Moenich, the shop has a youthful, contemporary vibe and a mission to be warm and inclusive to all who step into its Church Hill location, whether a client’s goal is a shocking fluorescent hair dye, a shaggy wolf cut, or a pixie bob.
It’s a neighbourhood hub emblematic of the influx of young urban professionals and creatives into the city, and connected to a wider network of queer-friendly social spaces, Luminary Hair Co. offers gender-affirming styling in a non-judgemental space.
Director of Operations and Senior Stylist Blake Williams says they connect with customers by showing them how to best care for their hair. “We try to stay on trend and creative,” Williams says. “We take an artistic approach to what our customers want and help broaden their horizons on both sides.”
Luminary staff help foster these lasting, personal relationships by “really listening to our customers and striving to solve any problems they may have, whether they’re just talking about what happened that day or discussing their hair concerns,” Williams says.
Source: Shopping & Style – richmondmagazine.com
