by Aude Camus
emmanuel f. is far from being a newbie on the Hong Kong hair salons scene. Its founders, Emmanuel and Séverine opened their first salon in Hong Kong in 2003 and have been championing the art of professional hairdressing with a touch of that French “je ne sais quoi” since then. 2010 is an another milestones for the salon. The year it moved to a new location and became an eco-organic concept pioneering natural products in Hong Kong. For obvious reasons, the past 2.5 years haven’t been easy for Emmanuel, Séverine and their team. But they’ve proven true the saying “in every challenge there is an opportunity” with the opening of a brand-new, much more Parisian-like salon, just a few meters away from their previous address.
“This salon is a true reflection of who we are, what we believe in and what we do”.
Homey vibes
emmanuel f. is far from being a newbie on the Hong Kong hair salons scene. Its founders, Emmanuel and Séverine opened their first salon in Hong Kong in 2003 and have been championing the art of professional hairdressing with a touch of that French “je ne sais quoi” since then. 2010 is an another milestones for the salon. The year it moved to a new location and became an eco-organic concept pioneering natural products in Hong Kong. For obvious reasons, the past 2.5 years haven’t been easy for Emmanuel, Séverine and their team. But they’ve proven true the saying “in every challenge there is an opportunity” with the opening of a brand-new, much more Parisian-like salon, just a few meters away from their previous address.
“This salon is a true reflection of who we are, what we believe in and what we do”.
Homey vibes
Homey is usually not the first word that would come to someone’s mind when describing a hair salon. Moreover in Hong Kong where salons and spas tend to go for a luxury feel and where precious materials, luscious fabrics and state-of-the-art machines are the norm. There’s obviously something thrilling about enjoying a beauty break in such a luxurious setting but I also sometimes find it intimidating.
emmanuel f. is the opposite of intimidating. Cue natural wood and concrete for a lofty atmosphere, a mezzanine floor which offers some privacy without excluding you from the action and a wide floor-to-ceiling window allowing passers-by to catch a glimpse of said action and clients to enjoy quintessential Hong Kong street views at the heart of Central.
Upcycling
emmanuel f. is the opposite of intimidating. Cue natural wood and concrete for a lofty atmosphere, a mezzanine floor which offers some privacy without excluding you from the action and a wide floor-to-ceiling window allowing passers-by to catch a glimpse of said action and clients to enjoy quintessential Hong Kong street views at the heart of Central.
Upcycling
Eco-friendly is not just a marketing strategy for Emmanuel and Séverine. It’s an ethos they’ve been trying to live by in both their personal and professional lives. It therefore doesn’t come as a surprise that their Wellington Street salon is a great example of upcycling. The styling chairs, the shampoo stations, the lighting … have been repurposed from their previous address. There’s also an impressive wall of bricks behind the reception counter made from bricks that used to be in the corridor of the spa area at their former salon. That’s maybe why this new salon feels so familiar to me while being 100% different from the previous one. If you’re an emmanuel f. client yourself – and have been for a few years, you probably get what I mean.
Savoir-faire
Well, of course the interior décor and the vibe play a great part when it comes to choosing your go-to salon. But the team’s savoir-faire is equally, if not even more, important. And with a career that took him from Paris to New-York, Nashville, Taipei and Hong Kong, Emmanuel knows what he is doing. His eco-friendly positioning is an add-on, the result of his personal story and a health philosophy he wants to share with his clients but he’s always put his expertise first. ““I am a hairdresser before anything else and I want people to also know me, and come to me, for my savoir-faire”. And in case you needed any proof of that, you can have a look at the long list of western and Asian clients who’ve trusted him – and his staffs, over the years be it with a balayage, blond highlights, an organic anti-frizz treatment, a flattering haircut, a radiant haircolouring, a game-changing new bang and more.
Hong Kong Madame tips: ask for an appointment with Clément if you’re planning a visit. I’ve been trusting him with my hair for the past few years and don’t know if I’ll every trust someone else. Clement is French, he is a real pro and he is also super sweet, believe me you’re gonna love him. Oh and if you have blond hair, I can testify he is the best by far.
emmanuel f.
https://www.facebook.com/emmanuelfhongkong/
G/F, 176 Wellington Street – Central
Savoir-faire
Well, of course the interior décor and the vibe play a great part when it comes to choosing your go-to salon. But the team’s savoir-faire is equally, if not even more, important. And with a career that took him from Paris to New-York, Nashville, Taipei and Hong Kong, Emmanuel knows what he is doing. His eco-friendly positioning is an add-on, the result of his personal story and a health philosophy he wants to share with his clients but he’s always put his expertise first. ““I am a hairdresser before anything else and I want people to also know me, and come to me, for my savoir-faire”. And in case you needed any proof of that, you can have a look at the long list of western and Asian clients who’ve trusted him – and his staffs, over the years be it with a balayage, blond highlights, an organic anti-frizz treatment, a flattering haircut, a radiant haircolouring, a game-changing new bang and more.
Hong Kong Madame tips: ask for an appointment with Clément if you’re planning a visit. I’ve been trusting him with my hair for the past few years and don’t know if I’ll every trust someone else. Clement is French, he is a real pro and he is also super sweet, believe me you’re gonna love him. Oh and if you have blond hair, I can testify he is the best by far.
emmanuel f.
https://www.facebook.com/emmanuelfhongkong/
G/F, 176 Wellington Street – Central