Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Hair today, here forever...
|
Even if you have lost 20 per cent of your hair, you can still have a style of your own. It is important for every individual to have a style that suits his face. Those with a short stature should endeavour to have a hairstyle which makes them look taller. Well-known hair stylist Javed Habib tells MADHUR TANKHA all this and much more in a hair-raising conversation here...
|
HE WAS born on the premises of the President's official residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and was blessed with a pedigree that had the fortune of cutting hair of those who walk in the corridors of power. For Javed Habib, whose name has become synonymous with hair styling and grooming, style comes automatically as he has this in his genes.
Habib had so much passion for haircutting that he decided to change horses mid-stream while pursuing hotel management. So it was back to grindstone but a study and work of different kind.
He went for specialisation in cosmetology from London's Morris School and studied trichology from London School of Fashion.
Ensconced comfortably on the sprawling sofa at his showroom in New Delhi's South Extension, Habib says, "If a guy with a round face comes then I'll give him a hairstyle that makes his visage look slimmer. Or if the customer is dimunitive then I'll try my level best to make him look taller.
Before going ahead with the style we see the texture, age and profession. We decide what style will be most suitable and even if he differs we try to convince him. We also do colouring, palming, facial and manicure. Now even men want to look good and they go in for facials."
Habib says that his USP is that his staff are not only adept in their job as they have technical knowledge but also engage in quick talk with their customers which makes them feel at home. If he or his illustrious father, Habib Ahmed do a haircut then the charge is "Rs 800 but it differs if our staff does".
On his background, Javed says, "It was my grandfather, Nazir Ahmed, who was officially designated to style the hair of first the Prime Minster, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Gandhiji before he sported that famous bald pate. Also the viceroys and ex-presidents. In `82 Habib came as a brand name. In the last 22 years 20 salons have come about."
Javed Habib has been officially designated as brand ambassador for Sunsilk, one of the top-notch haircare brands. As Sunsilk along with Lakme is one of the sponsors of the forthcoming Lakme India Fashion Week show, Habib will give haircuts to celebrities every day when the event unfolds on August 2 till the closing day at the Taj Palace hotel.
Says Habib, "Since Bollywood is the theme practically everywhere, even as far as Europe, we will be concentrating on giving Bollywood styling at LIFW. It will be 50, 60 years of styling of leading stars. Amir Khan's styling is the most sought as he goes in for experimentation. Hair styles of the new breed of actors are most popular unlike those of older generation. Akshaye Khanna, with little hair, oozes so much confidence. Even if you have 20 per cent off on your forehead you can still have a style".
Habib says that his ultimate dream is to spread his saloon around the globe and compete with European brand names like Vidan Sasson and Tony and Guy.
Dwelling on divergence of his professionalism with Westerners, he says, "I give personal touch. While Westerners are just professionals we believe in developing a rapport with our customers so that they come next time around. Indian culture has friendliness and congeniality of atmosphere."
Speaking on Habib school of Cosmetology, Habib says that he recruits his staff from this school but "only the bright and best".
For a three-month course, which entails a series of theoretical and practical sessions including "giving free hair cuts" the fee is Rs 17,500 while for a one-month crash course the fee is Rs 20,000. Salon management is also taught.
Habib takes life as it comes and doesn't want to comment on where he will see himself 10 years down the line.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
