Brad Ngata Hair Direction, Uptown at Ivy
By Naomi Jackson November 3 2008
One could never accuse Brad Ngata of being minimalist. “We have some white wall panelling in the salon, but what we really wanted to create was something that was opulent and grand,” says the super cool stylist-to-the-stars as he surveys the pink velvet curtains, polished parquetry floors and bunches of fragrant fresh flowers adorning the black and white baroque-inspired walls.
These are not the only standout design features in the new George Street, Sydney salon, Uptown at Ivy. A savvy and stylish design team, consisting of Ngata, architect Scott Weston, designer Gregory Phillips and business director and co-owner Glenn Chaplin, have succeeded in designing a fantasy salon interior with all the trimmings. The aim was to recreate a grand French salon, says Ngata.
“We wanted the space to feel like a cross between a theatrical set and an intimate Parisian salon, with a modern Madame de Pompadour feel.” But, he’s quick to add, it also had to be filled with quirky, memorable and unique touches. “We wanted to include elements of everything we love; the grandeur of French apartments, operatic sets, glossy wood panelling and space-aged glowing light boxes.”
A labour of love, Chaplin says the project was planned over a year in advance. “Brad and I had collected a whole folder full of ideas that we loved and we just handed it over,” he says. “It was the easiest way of letting the architect and designer into our heads. Amazingly, they managed to combine all these ideals into a cohesive whole, and what we have come up with is something really quite astounding,” says Chaplin.
One glance inside the glamorous salon shows no expense has been spared, no detail overlooked. From the moment clients arrive they are invited to sit at a pastel pink suede banquette and then greeted with a cup of tea served in a porcelain teacup with mini cupcakes. “I like to think this creates a typical French apartment vibe,” says Chaplin. And if it’s privacy you’re after, the salon has a separate Kerastase Ritual Room– an enclosed white glowing light box where the client can have their hair washed and coloured.
“The space is internally cocooned in a graphic laminate leaf print,” says architect Weston. “It’s not just a quiet space, the leafy print also ensures that you get the feeling of bringing the outdoors in.”
The sense of grandeur doesn’t end with the interior design, the staff uniforms also have a unique chic edge. Designer and close friend Fleur Wood has designed key pieces for the staff to mix and match with their own black and white clothes.
“I see our salon team members as almost like actors in this Parisian theatrical set,” says Ngata. “Fleur designed beautiful pieces, the girls will be wearing pussy bow tops and the boys can choose from bow ties, narrow ties and cummerbunds.”
It’s this unique combination of fashion-forward thinking, slick surrounds and attention to detail that will have Sydney starlets putting this stylish salon on their speed dial.
Brad Ngata Hair Direction Uptown at Ivy Salon
Shop 2, Palings Lane
The Ivy, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone 02 9235 2723
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