BRISTOL LIVES
Q&A
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mma Choremi at McQueens in Park Street has become well known for her work with hair extensions. She won the Great Lengths Best Newcomer award in 2014 and Best Gold Salon UK by Great Lengths in 2016/17, and she feels very passionate about her work, creating the very best for her clients. I am growing my hair and I suggested some extensions to my hairdresser. He went quite mad and made me promise not to! What do you say to him in defence of the lengths? In the past hair extensions have been given really bad press, and rightly so. With the old synthetic ones you had to follow such a long list of restrictions, they were almost impossible to use. I tell my clients three simple instructions: 1) If you are going to attach anything to your natural hair, use real hair from a good source; 2) Trust and book in with a professional who offers aftercare and removal as standard; and 3) Listen to and follow the advice you’re given. Extensions are not for everyone but for my clientele they are everything! How did you get into hairdressing? I knew from an early age I wanted to be involved in either music or fashion. I took an interest in hair when I was in my teens and I got the opportunity to own my own business when I was just 18. I grabbed it and that’s when Mcqueens happened. What’s your favourite joke? My favourite joke is way too wrong to print, but it’s safe to say that, for me, anything Billy Connolly says is genius! What about the McQueens salon makes you most proud? I’m proud that after 28 years I’m still here and doing better than ever. The early years were tough but I’ve really grown up while running things here. We are winning awards, we’ve never been so busy and I truly have a brilliant team of guys with me of whom I’m really proud. What kind of hair do you like working with the most? I get the most satisfaction from finding the right cut and styling methods for each of my clients. I think the best kind of hair is the hair that just sits where you want it to… oh, and a really good hairline on short hair is very satisfying!
EMMA CHOREMI This issue we meet the Director and High Sorceress of Hair Extensions at McQueens, Emma Choremi. That job title is made up but her work is almost magical… Worst client ever (no names mentioned!)? I think most hairdressers have the odd client that they just can’t please but I really don’t have a ‘worst’ client. I’m pretty good after all these years at breaking down my consultations and getting the answers I need to make sure all areas are covered but anyone who refuses a skin test or starts trying to tell me how many extensions they are having soon knows who’s the boss! What’s hot next year in hair? Styles are going SHORTER! Crops for the daring clients with great colours to show them off... For the not-so-daring, I’ll be working on enhancements that add side thickness and volume while keeping the cut structured and sharp. The beauty of what I do is I can add hair to anyone who needs it to create the style they want. It’s like Photoshop for hair! And where do you like to hang out to relax? I live near Gloucester Road and I love the small plates at the Gallimaufry (the food there is hard to beat). To relax and for a special date I love the Ivy in Clifton and for a steak it has to be the Ox. Are you Bristol born and bred? No, despite my Bristol twang I’m not! I was born in Malta, I have a Greek father and English mother, and my father moved to Bristol, working in the restaurant business. He was a huge inspiration to me to become my own boss.
90 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
In a parallel life, what would your career have been? Talent spotter or talent judge! Basically, spotting people with that extra something and watching them get famous... One of my employees 15 years ago is now a very successful celebrity hairdresser. He approached me early on when he was running hotels and said he was keen to cut hair so we worked together for 18 months before he upped sticks to London to his own salon and an A-list client base. He had that very special enthusiasm and excitement you need. We stayed best mates and we still speak every day, helping each other through our tough being-the-boss moments. Who gives you hair envy? Well, I hope I create hair envy! To be totally honest I love seeing women happy with what they have and making the most of it (sssh… confidence is the key to it all). You can have the best hair in the world if you get the right hairdresser to cut it and you feel good and take time to look after it. Hey guys, it’s hair! It grows! Be daring and enjoy it!
www.mcqueenshairbristol. co.uk