Scores of well-wishers converged last Thursday evening at the new Dovercourt Road premises of Soul Cut Salon for a sneak preview and media launch of the establishment's innovative Fall 2005 designs of hair extensions and hairstyling techniques.
Actress Marieka Weathered was part of a team of black-outfitted models on hand to showoff a variety of hairstyling techniques and designs for both Black and Caucasian women.
The female models displayed stranding hairstyles incorporating the new Euronatural Hair Extensions product that utilizes natural Caucasian hair, while the males showed dreadlocks and twisting techniques for both Black and White hair.
Soul Cut Salon is one of the pioneers in the creation of long luscious locks that adds body and length to hair. A customer who elects "stranding" extensions or the "twist" styling technique has the option of varying the length of his or her hair, or supplementing or emphasizing it using various colours.
"We want to publicize the fact that one of our specialties is the dreadlocks hair image," said Soul Cut Salon's owner Daphne Esdaille, a specialist for 25 years in urban hair care, "and an accredited feature film stylist. Over the years, we have built a reputation based on extensions, hair cutting and other services, but now we are extensively into natural hair, particularly easy-flowing styles."
"Technological advances have made it easy to do a lot more creatively with both Black and White hair. It's not so much a Black or White, but a hair thing, which is why this evening we showcase models of both races."
In addition, female models displayed new, artistic and colourful nail designs, styled by the team of "My Nails", which celebrities will be wearing on their fingers and toes this Fall/Winter season. Also modeled were new make-up fashion trends created by cosmetologist Marva Layne.
Esdaille said that a year ago last August, the salon relocated to its present site and the media launch, held in collaboration with area businesses, was an initiative to publicize and attract customers to establishments within the area.
"Today is a blessing and it's awesome because the neighbourhood is involved. They all gave a contribution, making their services available to the salon. It's a blessing that I didn't have to spend a lot of money and since we all got together, it is a neighbourhood affair that we are hoping will attract more business for us all. That is the overall goal," added Esdaille.
Lino Couto, proprietor of Valentino's Men's Wear who has operated in the area for over 30 years, contributed trays of shrimp patties and codfish rolls.
"She asked for support and I decided to help as my way of welcoming her to this neighbourhood," he said.
Publicist Juliet Murray, the event's coordinator and a close friend of Esdaille, told the gathering: "I have known Daphne for over 20 years. She is a hair master but despite winning many awards and accolades, is still relatively unknown in the mainstream arena. She does different kinds of hair styles across the ethnic spectrum, but is generally unknown in the mainstream and so we want to showcase her talents to the wider audience."
Soul Cut Salon, established in 1980, is renowned for its avant-garde and creative hair styling. The salon, with a staff of three stylists, offers full hair and aesthetic care and private styling stations for VIPs. The salon has styled hair for several celebrities, TV show productions and feature films including "Eating the Bones," "Honey," and "Soul Food".