PROJECT: KUENE, LONDON

A real sense of experience lies within this new flagship residing within the formidable old post office building in Holborn. The awe-inspiring interior mirrors the glamour and excitement of this iconic hair styling brand.

It is much more than a sensational salon; it lives and breathes effortless style and quality. The new showroom incorporates cutting, styling, colouring, a café and bakery, a 1920s themed barbers, an office and events space, as well as a training academy. It is the house of Kuene in every sense.

There is even a living wall on the ground floor behind the cutting stations to showcase the brands desire to use natural and sustainable materials, and offer some health benefits too. The plant wall provides a striking visual contrast to the incredible, dramatic ceiling feature that embraces multiple-coloured ribbons and lights, and brings an enormous amount of energy to this sophisticated environment.

Natural light floods the space through the floor to ceiling windows whilst the double height construction and raw architecture add drama.

As you enter the store you come immediately face to face with the extraordinary hanging sculpture from which the entire salon radiates outwards and upwards. The open plan design follows the brand’s relaxed and inclusive ethos allowing customers access to all areas as they flow easily through the space.

Right below the chandelier is the Consultation Bar – the hub of the store – where staff gather together with customers, discuss colour and get mixing. Colour is at the heart of the Kuene brand and so it was imperative that it was the focal point of the design. Behind this lie the cutting stations and the moss clad wall that adds depth and interest, not to mention its green credentials, to the theatrical ambiance. The hair wash area lies beyond here and is slightly elevated to differentiate this part of the process and encourage relaxation by way of a softer, muted palette. The hair treatment sector has been given the VIP touch. It has a subdued atmosphere that is complimented by neutral tones and plush, comfy chairs in keeping with a luxury spa.

If you stand at the store’s centre and turn to face the entrance you will fi nd the main sales area. Large, freestanding shelving units have been placed within the enormous windows and stock the full range of haircare products. The showcases are simple and elegant, as well as backlit to highlight the merchandise. The area resembles the beauty hall within any good department store.

Finally on the ground floor, there is space for customers to socialise and relax away from the outside world within the Comptoir Gourmand café and bakery that has been carved out of the most remarkable feature wall. The history wall is covered in giant size, original, grainy, black and white images of the founder and brand heritage to shine a light on 100 years of history. Upstairs on the mezzanine level, there is a further nod to the brand’s roots with a fully functioning, twenties styled barbers offering haircuts, beard trims and wet shaves. There is also fl exible offi ce and event space, and a kitchen, which will all soon be filled with customers, DJs, coffee baristas, infl uencers and brand ambassadors.

Designed in conjunction with retail design specialists, Barber, this salon is bold and beautiful; the ultimate blend for this prestigious Dutch hair cosmetics brand. The perfect way to celebrate 100 years of sumptuous haircare and styling.