“I love your new do! Tell me, who does your hair? is an enthusiastic question all Paul’s clients are used to.
Paul has become a household name in Cairo, since he first landed from France nine years ago. He first opened the acclaimed international hair salon chain Jacques Dessange, and became very popular among his customers in no time.
Snip, snip, snip et voila. This is how Paul works his magic, updating your look and making you feel fabulous.
After leaving Dessange, he partnered with one of his clients to open his own shop. It was simple but did well because of his devoted customer base.
Then just a year ago, Paul opened his dream salon, La Villa.
La Villa is not your typical beauty parlor. From the outside you can already tell that it is one of a kind. The old three-storey building in the middle of Messaha street in Dokki is painted bright pink.
As you walk through the garden entrance to the building, you’re already a little more relaxed with thoughts of urban life drowning further and further away.
When you arrive, you are greeted by Sarah, a young Lebanese salon manager with a pleasant demeanor.
“I dreamed for so long to do something that is like a home for people, Paul told Daily News Egypt in his strong French accent. “An elegant atmosphere but not overdone so it is [still] comfortable and warm.
And homey it is. The atmosphere is busy yet relaxed. The staff runs around with big smiles, greeting you on a first name basis if you are a regular customer. All staff dress in long white gowns, similar to Nubian gallabeyas.
The central room is divided horizontally by large mirrors in silver frames. On both sides are seats covered with bright red cushions. This is where the cutting and blow-drying takes place.
Four other rooms include ones for hair washing. Besides the trendy design, the chairs are actually comfortable leather beds. You can even take a nap while your head is being massaged.
In the middle of the waiting room is a round deep red velvet couch where you can sit down and have a drink (they make a great cappuccino and lemonade) and read a magazine from the wide selection available.
The wait can be long, so getting comfy and happy is necessary. Luckily it is not hard to do so with the good music playing in the background, just loud enough to put you in the right mood. You barely catch any commercial tunes except for some hits from the 80s, the rest is soothing international music.
“You come from outside and you are exhausted and stressed and you go into the new atmosphere and forget about the rest, adds Paul, referring to the theme of his haven.
In each corner of this room is a coiffeuse, with a classic French chair. These are designated for hair coloring. Whether you opt for highlights, California, low lights, crown, or all your hair, Paul and his professional team can make your hair look more beautiful than ever.
The majority of the furniture is made of dark wood, almost black. Some rooms are accessorized with crystal chandeliers, others with more ultra-modern fair.
The final room is for manicures, pedicures and similar treatments. The décor in this room is more feminine, dominated by pinks and oranges. A little touch that doesn’t go unnoticed is the silver bucket you sink your feet in before a pedicure.
Another part of the concept of La Villa is the rotating exhibitions that appear on the walls of the salon. Currently the walls are adorned with the works of artist Ahmed Selim.
An artist himself, Paul has a good eye for art. “I chose this one because I really love all the expressions in the paintings. Each one has a different type of life. a real mood inside each one, he says.
The content of Selim’s work comprises of typical Egyptian characters from rural parts of the country.
For example, the main subject of one of the paintings is a young couple on a horse. They are surrounded by a parade; people holding instruments. It looks like a traditional zafa on a wedding night in the countryside. The look in their beautifully painted eyes is so clear and innocent.
Another large painting shows a young woman on her henna night; another Egyptian tradition. Surrounding the girl are several women trying to pamper her. The girl looks a little confused and anxious. Each woman is wearing a gallabeya and has her hair tied with a scarf. Each fabric is designed with different patterns in multiple colors.
The artist is eclectic, using different paints like aquarelle, acrylic and oils for each painting. A few of the paintings are done in fresco style, painted over sand and mud.
“The paintings are typical Arab but at the same time the way he deals with the colors is very modern. I really love and enjoy living everyday with his work, adds Paul.
This exhibition is on until the end of September and everything is for sale. Next month there will be an exhibition by another artist.
La Villa36 Mesaha St., Dokki. Cairo.Tel: (012) 644 0084Opens daily from 10 am-8 pm except Monday.
