2 mins
Think PINK
If you thought you knew RUSH, think again - an influential display of colour and creativity, this is RUSH Brighton
RUSH salons aren’t known for their colourful interiors. Those familiar with the brand know they favour a monochromatic theme with an industrial, highgloss finish. Now, forget everything you thought you knew, and take a peek inside RUSH Brighton. Founded by Andy Phouli and Stell Andrew 28 years ago, the successful duo have marked 2022 as a new era for the brand – the new RUSH.
"We are known for being experts in colour, and the incorporation of colour into the design highlights this, showing that colour is at the heart of our salon.”
The space is split over two levels, allowing them to offer more services, house a larger team and teach further education. At street level, the ground floor is neutral and inviting with hints of blush pink, sure to attract passersby of all tastes. The basement level (AKA ‘the creative zone’) reflects the brand's passion for colour, taking ‘the pink’ and bringing it to centre stage. Oliver Tobin, director of operations, says: “The colour theme reflects the fun, bright and creative colours that you see on every street corner of Brighton today. We are known for being experts in colour, and the incorporation of colour into the design highlights this, showing that colour is at the heart of our salon.”
Having worked with the brand for a number of years, RUSH opted for pink and white marble REM styling chairs. However, the crowning stroke of the salon is their neon pink sign, hanging opposite the exposed colour bar, reading: ‘Let Hair Be Art’ – atrue testament to the work they create. Here, clients can interact with the stylist to see and feel their colour choice on a whole new level.
Lighting was a big part of the design process, Oliver explains: “We wanted the lighting to give the clients and our team a ‘true to tone’ feel – meaning what they see in the salon is exactly what they see when they leave.” The ground floor is fit with large, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows that bring this idea into play and keep the space bright. Interestingly, the team installed a one-way image mirror to the spa window, so that clients can watch the hustle and bustle of Brighton’s streets, whilst passers-by are unable to look in providing a private and relaxed feel.
Reflecting on the experience, Oliver said: “The best thing we did is step out of our comfort zone. Pink was never in our original RUSH plan but we took the chance during covid to reset, re-evaluate and refresh.”
KEY FACTS
Name: RUSH Brighton
Address: 7 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH
Owner: Brice Boidin
Size: 1100sq ft over two floors
How long have you been in the premises: Six months How many staff: Eight
Budget: £50,000
RUSH’S TOP TIPS
1 Be present
Throughout our build we were constantly on site, talking to the contractors and holding meetings to ensure everyone was on track with their role.
2 Be patient
Bringing your vision to life is something that should be completed to the highest standard.
3 Have a plan B
Sometimes things pop up during the process that are unexpected, so being able to pull together a plan B with the build team is essential.