Giuseppe Manco: THE ITALIAN DREAM

By Rikki Moir, Gorgeous PR, UK

Giuseppe Manco’s salon is a hidden gem. Nestled in the heart of historic Winchester UK, its stylish interior and friendly Italian welcome provide the perfect hair sanctuary. Known for its precision cutting, colour transformations, and top-notch customer service, the salon is fast becoming one to beat.

We met with Giuseppe to find out about his Italian heritage, the heights of his current accomplishments, and what’s on the horizon for Giuseppe Manco the salon, the man, and the brand.

Born and raised in southern Italy, Giuseppe’s ambitions started early on. “Ever since the age of 13, growing up in a small village in southern Italy, I dreamed of having my own hair salon,” he recalls. “I wanted to become one of the all-time greatest hairdressers.”

His first step to realising his dream came when he relocated to England. “When I came to the UK, I got a job at one of the most elite salons in the upmarket city of Winchester. I worked there for many years, building a clientele and a good reputation. During that time, I began to shape the vision for my own salon,” Giuseppe explains.

Clients would often ask Giuseppe when he was going to strike out on his own, so when the opportunity presented itself, he grabbed it. “My wife Veronika and I opened the doors to Giuseppe Manco in June 2021. We’d just come out of lockdown and didn’t know what the future held, but it felt like the right time. We went for it because we believed so strongly in our product and our philosophy.

We understood that hairdressing is more than just cut and colour. It’s about emotions and great service. I wanted my own salon to be the ultimate example of amazing customer care, making my clients feel special, not just while they’re with us, but afterwards too,” says Giuseppe.

With a clear vision in mind, Giuseppe went to work. Specialising in precision cutting, colour correction and premium services that prioritise hair and scalp health, the salon elevates each appointment, creating what Giuseppe calls “a holistic beauty regime”.

“We use Hair Spa rituals treatments using exclusive bio-organic, sensory products from the Italian-derived Philip Martin’s range, plus Revlon Professional Eksperience treatments, all carried out in the most relaxing, luxurious environment,” Giuseppe describes.

Just like a leisurely Mediterranean lunch, the salon has a ‘no rush’ policy, ensuring that each client receives undivided attention and care. At the heart of Giuseppe Manco’s philosophy is a commitment to exceptional service, provided by both him and his team.

“Right from the start, we decided to set up a ‘Company Blueprint’, to make everyone on the team understand and follow our business map,” he explains. “The blueprint covers all the details, from how the salon looks to what music is playing. It reinforces our principles of exceptional customer care. We have expectations on almost every part of the client experience, from washing hair, to how we serve the coffee. Some may say we’re crazy about the small details, but it has really helped us to have success from the beginning and we know that we are delivering our brand goals every single day.”

In addition to his dedication to quality, Giuseppe puts huge emphasis on continuous improvement and professional development. He invests heavily in ongoing training and education for himself and his team, making sure they remain the cream of the crop.

“It’s our aim to nurture talent all the way from apprentice to stylist, to salon director. Every week, we provide inhouse training covering not only technical approaches but also other aspects such as consultations and customer service. We offer all staff education from our partners Philip Martin’s (some of which take place at Philip Martin’s house in Italy) and UNITE. Our staff is our biggest investment and our greatest reward,” smiles Giuseppe.

Today, just three years on from opening his salon, Giuseppe is solidifying his reputation as a master of his craft. “The salon won Regional Salon South at the HAIR Magazine Awards this year, which was such an honour,” he beams. “I also reached the finals of the British Hairdressing Awards Southern Hairdresser of the Year last year and won Best Local Salon at the Salon Business Awards too.”

Previous accolades include winner of Best New Salon in Hampshire at the Salon Awards 2022, and finalising at the Estetica Salon Design Awards. From exclusive photoshoots with Pro Hair Magazine to showcasing his talents on prestigious platforms like Salon International and London Fashion Week, Giuseppe’s presence continues to grow. His involvement in the various competitions that comes his way and relentless pursuit of educational opportunities make him unstoppable.

This year sees Giuseppe creating something brand new. He recently shot his latest collection, ‘For the Love of Valentina’, which as we speak is still under wraps. “We searched the country for a girl who would best interpret my visualisation of my haircut collection. On meeting Valentina and discussing the concept I had no doubt that she was the perfect choice. We took her hair on a journey from long and straight, creating movement and style through exacting cuts and applying texture over a period of 24 hours,” describes Giuseppe with pride.

Giuseppe adds: “To create this collection, I used all the foundation techniques of the haircut because I wanted to show that, with foundation techniques, hairdressers can do an amazing job and create stunning haircuts. This collection was very much done to demonstrate precision haircuts and shapes in the hair. Each haircut was inspired by one foundation technique.”

Giuseppe is now embarking on the next chapter of his career - education. With a recent qualification as an Educator in precision cutting, Giuseppe’s vision for the future is crystal clear - to evolve into an International Educator, paving the way for the next generation of hairstylists.

“Down the line, I’d love to set up a Giuseppe Manco Academy and maybe further salons around the UK and Italy,” he shares. Reflecting on his journey, Giuseppe looks back at where it all began: “It’s good to have goals and I think that young boy in southern Italy would be proud of what his dreams have become.” We couldn’t agree more.

@guiseppe.manco

@gorgeousprhair

LA DOLCE VITA

Hair: Giuseppe Manco at Giuseppe Manco

Make up: Megumi Matsuno

Styling: Anna Latham

Photography: Andrew O’Toole

A masterclass in style and elegance, this collection epitomises everything Giuseppe Manco stands for. Crafted with true Italian flair and grace, La Dolce Vita combines precision cutting with feminine styling and finishes that celebrate the most glamorous interpretation of the female aesthetic.