KITCH PERFECT

By Zoe Richards - UK

Starting its own quiet revolution, Kitch stands out as a salon rewriting the rules - blending creativity, inclusive values, and retro design to create a space where everyone is genuinely welcome.

Perched confidently somewhere between a 1950s dream kitchen and a scene from a Tim Burton daydream, Kitch isn’t just a salon - it’s a full-blown experience. At the heart of it all are two very different but perfectly balanced forces: Luca Jones and Scott Humphreys.

Luca - a session and TV stylist with razor-sharp creative vision and Scott a tailor-turned barber with branding running through his veins are one of the UK’s most dynamic hair combos. Together, they’ve created what is now considered one of the UK’s most progressive, inclusive and innovative salon spaces. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all pastel gloss and Insta-worthy corners - Kitch was built on purpose and passion, not just aesthetics.

“We never set out to just do hair,” says Luca. “We wanted to create a space where absolutely everyone feels like they belongsomewhere that was designed to recreate the nostalgia of having your hair done in the kitchen, surrounded by your best friends.”

And they really mean everyone. From the very beginning, Kitch was imagined as a gender-neutral, identity-affirming space. There’s no ‘ladies’ cuts’ or ‘gents’ trims’ here - just personalised services based on the hair itself, not the person’s gender. Pricing is fair, consultations are thorough, and the whole atmosphere is about comfort, not conformity.

“I’ve always worked in hair,” says Luca, “so I’ve never really experienced what it’s like being a client. But when I started asking friends about their salon experiences, I was shocked. People had felt judged, excluded, even refused service. That was never going to happen at Kitch.”

Scott agrees. “I’ve had my own moments of discomfort in overly macho barbershops - and I present pretty masculine. So, if I’m feeling that, imagine what it’s like for someone who doesn’t feel safe in those environments. We wanted to rip up that rulebook.”

The Power Couple That Built a Movement

It helps, of course, that Luca and Scott are partners in life as well as in business. “Scott started working in a barbershop near my salon and we got set up on a date,” laughs Luca. “I figured if it didn’t work out, I’d just walk a different way to work. Seven years later, here we are - still together, and co-owners of Kitch.”

Their dynamic is electric. Luca brings the bigpicture thinking, calm leadership and creative direction; Scott injects the energy, ideas and flair. They’re opposites in all the right ways, and it works.

“If there were two of me, it would be chaos,” says Scott. “Luca is calm, thoughtful and strategic - he’s the one with the spreadsheets and the serious voice when needed. I’m more about vibes and instinct. We’ve always been clear on our roles. I work more on the brand and visuals, and Luca’s the brains behind the business. That clarity has saved us a lot of rows!”

Still, working and living together isn’t without its challenges. “The thing we argue most about is music,” Luca admits. “Scott’s in charge of the salon playlists and I swear, he’s got Saturday night bangers blasting at 10am on a Wednesday. I have to rein it in sometimes!”

A Salon Like No Other

Walk into Kitch and you’ll immediately see - and feel - what sets it apart. Think retro Americana - sugary pastel pinks and blues, vintage kitchen cabinets, and bespoke stations designed to look like 1950s cookerscomplete with fridge and tumble dryer doors that double as storage. It’s clever, creative and bursting with personality.

“We designed everything ourselves,” says Scott. “And then we had it made by a company that usually builds festival sets. It’s not off-the-shelf stuff. Our mirror units have secret cupboards behind them, our benches double up as storage, and even the trolleys slot in like kitchen appliances.”

But beyond the aesthetic joy, Kitch is practical too. A recent renovation saw the addition of an upstairs space and a proper boiler (a big upgrade from the temperamental electric shower setup that ran cold whenever someone flushed the loo next door). “Honestly, being able to use both backwash basins at the same time now? Game-changing!” laughs Luca.

Leading with Heart

Perhaps the most powerful thing about Kitch is the feeling it gives clientsmany of whom say it’s the first salon where they’ve felt truly comfortable.

“We’ve had clients tell us it’s the only place they’ve been gendered correctly,” says Luca. “We don’t use badges or pronoun pins; we just use names. It’s simple and respectful.”

And their inclusive ethos doesn’t stop at the client experience. Behind the scenes, Kitch is a place where team members are celebrated for who they are, where creativity is nurtured, and where community matters. “We’ve learned loads from friends who run LGBTQ+ charities,” adds Scott. “We’re always growing, always listening. It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about doing what’s right.”

That approach has paid off. The salon recently won top slot at the Creative HEAD Most Wanted Awards for Client Experience - a moment Luca describes as hugely validating. “It felt like a big pat on the back,” he says. “It proved that we’re doing something meaningful. That our ethos isn’t just a nice idea, it’s working.”

What’s Next for Kitch?

With one wildly successful site under their belts, Luca and Scott aren’t slowing down any time soon. “We’re definitely looking at opening another site,” says Scott. “And then who knows? A little collective of Kitch salons maybe. That’s the dream.”

But for now, the pair are focused on keeping Kitch exactly what it’s always been - a one-of-a-kind, heart-led salon where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and made to feel a foot taller by the time they leave. “Hairdressing is about confidence, connection and creativity,” says Luca. “And when all three come together? That’s magic. That’s Kitch.”

@kitchhair