INTERIORS

Meet one Glasgow salon owner who has created a space that blends high-end hair with heartfelt community

“The best thing was not realising how both spaces are so connected by emotion and ambience (until the end). That can’t be replicated, but it’s automatically my brand.”

After nearly 15 years in the industry, Graeme Fawns knew it was time to level up. The founder of 66 Hair and Lifestyle had been running a high-demand Glasgow salon through sheer graft, blow-drying by day and refurbishing by night. Space however, was limited with just seven chairs and almost 7,000 clients to cater for. Graeme knew it wasn’t sustainable: “I wanted to grow and invest in the team, but I was burnt out.”

The solution? A second location. This expansion wasn’t just about scaling; it was a chance to redefine the brand. In March 2025, 66 Hair & Lifestyle opened its new doors on Glasgow’s Argyle Street. The site had great bones and a prime spot in Finnieston, but the renovation was a full gut job. “It needed rewiring, replumbing, everything. It was hiding some sins!”

It’s a space built by the community it serves, Graeme worked closely with designers and independent traders, some of them clients. He says: “Input from different artists and tradesmen brought my concept together.”

The new salon now features 13 cutting stations fitted with custom mirrors by Imlack Studio and styling chairs from Takara Belmont. The backwash area is tucked behind floor-to-ceiling oak shelving and antique brass cabinetry to cocoon clients in texture and warmth.

With a project this size, delays were inevitable, and managing them was one of the toughest parts, not just because of the financial implications. Delays cost energy, momentum, and sometimes morale, as Graeme shares: “One delay affected everyone as they couldn’t move on with the project until each stage was finished.”

The final result is layered with identity. A soft light installation by Louise Gibson glows above the reception. Bright pink neon accents tie in with branding, and sculptural cacti over eight feet tall add a surreal, tactile contrast. The walls embrace exposed sandstone, while a fire-damaged brick feature now showcases graffiti by King Listy. “The floors are part of the good bones,” says Graeme, “we worked with all the original features.” Even the layout was strategic, with the space split so they can eventually open a florist. “The curved windows are fitted,” he explains, “and in summer we’ll have fresh flowers in daily.”

From stained-glass details to reclaimed floors, 66 Hair & Lifestyle is full of design that reflects both place and purpose. “It’s a safe place where clients can be truly themselves,” says Graeme. “An environment of luxury yet homey charm, being fun and queer but not slap dash.”

And for Graeme, the biggest win? “The best thing was not realising how both spaces are so connected by emotion and ambience (until the end). It’s not a replicatation, but it’s automatically my brand.”