Profile

With his legendary midtown salon already entrenched in the hair hall of fame, celebrity stylist Frédéric Fekkai opened a second outpost downtown in January 2007. Dark wood floors, a coffee bar, and plush leather sofas make the 3,000-square-foot space feel more artist’s loft than beauty parlor, but the business of hair is, unsurprisingly, a serious affair here. Creative Director Fabrice Gili supervises all the stylists and colorists, and conducts weekly training sessions to introduce new techniques — hand-applied baliage for super-natural looking highlights, for instance — that he’s picked up on his frequent trips to Europe. The cut and color stations are divided into four "pods" of four chairs each; when Fekkai’s in town, he holds court over a private corner station. As one would hope when spending top dollar, comfort is paramount here: Clients await color processing in ergonomically-designed chairs; in the secluded shampoo area, chic SoHo patrons check out Charlie Chaplin flicks on flat-screen TVs, or order lunch and a glass of bubbly from Barolo downstairs. Anyone on the hunt for a facial will have to head elsewhere, but a rotating menu of mani/pedis is offered in a sunny nook, or, for the time-pressed, in your stylist’s chair. — Carolyn Murnick

Visit Fekkai's new salon at Henri Bendel and come away with the look that countless stars and socialites swear by. A consultation and styling will run you about $150. For a treat, sign up for the Provence Escapade package: Beauté de Provence facial and massage, haircut, style, manicure, and makeup application.

Related Stories

Best of New York Awards

• Best Expert Eyebrow Grooming for the Misguided Penciler (2008)

Featured In

• Frédéric Fekkai Opens in Soho (2/5/07)