The new Salon Ziba, based in the heart of NYC at 50 West 57th Street, is a breathtaking and contemporary space. The result of a collaboration among owner Alonso Salguero, Peter Millard and Susan Kwon, of Millard Kwon Design, Salon Ziba celebrated with a grand opening where celebrities and important members of the salon industry attended. According to Millard, “This sophisticated 4000-square foot space stretches the limits of salon design and brings it to a new level. There is no other salon that has been created in this way, not only from a design perspective, but also with such careful attention to needs of stylist and client, and the luxurious refinement of every element and detail. When you walk through, there is a warm, ethereal feeling. The entire space is bathed in a luminous glow.”
The space is a minimal and white-on-white with subtle and surprising white-hued variations and textures for depth, richness and unexpected warmth. The “million dollar plus” salon emphasizes a play of reflection and light that work in harmony to cast a warm, soft radiance not usual in typical stark white-on-white environments. Warmth is enhanced by indirect Northern sunlight; mirrors illuminated from within; a Venetian plaster, hand-etched silver-leaf alcove ceiling reflects changing light throughout the day; and wave-like paper-thin wood fixtures cast warm natural tones as light shines through. Salguero wanted his new dream salon to have a full-spectrum of light to allow colorists create accurate and beautiful hair color, that would be beautiful and uplifting for clients at the same time – a very fine line in salon design.
At either end of the salon are two inset three-dimensional panels of over-scaled crocodile finished plaster, executed by Italian craftsmen by hand. Salguero located the artisans after seeing their work in a luxury hotel, and immediately knew he wanted the designs adapted and incorporated into his salon. "It was a special pleasure to work with Alsono on this salon since he has such exceptional taste and discernment. His input and ideas were invaluable,” said Millard.
The stations in the main salon that are situated at strategic angles to take full advantage of natural light but also help define personal space. Floating “cube” mirrors on each of the table workstations further accent this. Each station contains a USB port charging outlet, so clients can plug-in during their pampering. For privacy, there is a VIP room with two stations and specialty lighting.
Color services and balayage are a specialty of the salon. A special color bar takes the form of an ergonomically lowered “trough”. The color “atelier” is placed in the main salon area as an interactive focal point rather than hidden. “It breaks the mold and accents the art and artistry of color mixing,” explains Millard “It’s the only one of its kind: custom-made, with a lower than typical color mixing trough for greater ease of blending. The color area is opulently backed by iridescent silver leaf Italian glass tiles, wrapped in custom-beveled stainless steel molding. In fact, this color bar has a sort of retro 40’s and 50’s feeling. Bright, modern L’Oreal and Inoa haircolor boxes are openly displayed to add visual contrast and the array of colors available to be mixed. This centerpiece allows clients to appreciate the creativity that goes into creating professional color formulas, and offers them the opportunity to interact with colorists as they blend.
Take a short tour of the salon with salon owner Alonso Salguero:
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