Fashion / hairdressing
Celebrating individuality at Betties and Baldwins
Hidden away in the Old City is a quirky, independent hair salon adding a fun pop of colour to Small Street.
“We are a salon with a big personality,” says Esme Walton, one of Betties and Baldwins founders. “We celebrate individuality and our unique salon reflects this.”
Opening the salon doors in 2014, alongside the original founders Kadi Carter and Darren Uren, Esme transformed a dusty old office space into a thriving modern hair salon in just one month.
is needed now More than ever
The Betties and Baldwins salon takes on a fun, fashion store feel. Photography by Tristan McDonald
With its 90s inspired Memphis decor, Betties and Baldwins is a step ahead of other minimal-style salons. Taking on a more creative and fun fashion store feel, graphic decals offer the perfect backdrops for customers taking post-styling selfies.
“We wanted to create a salon that provides quality, professional and high end services that is relaxed and different,” says Esme. “Our customers always remark on how chilled the atmosphere is.”
With each stylist dedicating themselves to one client at a time, a lot of thought and care has gone into delivering the best customer service – with the health and condition of the hair being a priority.
Coming into hairdressing in her late 20s, Esme moved to Bristol from Stratford-upon-Avon and trained at City of Bristol College eight years ago saying: “That isn’t that long in hairdressing years.”
Now the proud owner of a popular and fashionable hair salon, Esme has six dedicated stylists on the busy Betties and Baldwin’s team.
“I’ve lived in Bristol for about 14 years, so it’s definitely home now. It’s such a creative place, you can’t help but be inspired here. Bristol has always been known as a very cultural city, and has a very street-fashion driven look.
“We love the Bristol style which is why we placed ourselves in the city centre. People aren’t afraid to look different here and they do it with an effortless style. We subscribe to the same ethos with our hairdressing,” says Esme.
Moving on from the androgynous bowl cuts, shaved heads, micro fringes and extreme colour trends of last year, what are the next big hair trends for 2019?
“We predict a lot of natural texture, movement and waves. People are taking much better care of their hair these days so there’s a lot less excessive straightening going on, thank goodness! As for colour, we see the low maintenance and balayage trend continuing, with brights and pastels being laid over the top for the summer and festival season.”
The Betties and Baldwins nineties graphic walls are the perfect backdrops for post styling selfies!
With aims to expand and develop their growing team and gain more exposure for the salon at national shows, including the L’Oréal Colour Trophy competition, Betties and Baldwins are “enjoying the ride”.
Book an appointment with Betties and Baldwins 12 Small Street, Bristol, BS1 1DB
Read our fashion editor Emma’s blog No Debutante
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