Dissertation_Imogen

2022 PROPOSITION, FEASIBILITY AND RESEARCH PAPER

The House of Hair SCALP AND HAIR LOSS SALON

Imogen Schofield 1

extra for the module to be trained for afro hair which many students with limited funding weren’t able to afford, which explains why not all of our current stylists can cut textured hair. This still doesn’t make the inequality issue acceptable and The House of Hair would like to address this in the space by creating a business that can provide an education to current stylists that were never able to take the module at school and also for the hairdressers that would just like to improve their skills (Stylist, 2018).

For a long time and still currently, men and women have been split to different buildings to get their hair done, this project brings all genders together, so they don’t have to choose a side and feel discriminated or judged by having a salon with gender neutral pricing. This problem is also happening with Afro-haired men and women not being able to walk into any salon because the stylist isn’t educated in textured hair, therefore creating a space where the client can feel confident with their stylist, not have to worry about the quality of their service, what they can look like after the stylist has finished and removing the bias from the hairstyling industry.

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SUBJECT ISSUE The hair industry has come a long way over the centuries, from Ancient Egypt having the standard of wig wearing as part of their culture to Ancient Greece where the household slave would dye and shave the hair of the household, Hair didn’t become considered a title of a profession till the 17th Century. (Wikipedia, 2021) Currently there are multiple separate salons for people with texture hair, many of their clients feel uncomfortable going to salons as they are often turned away because the stylist isn’t educated to do their hair. The world is adapting, and the hair industry is being left behind on this topic, “Unless a black client can walk in feeling like they have as much of a chance to feel beautiful when they leave as a white woman would, unless this is true Black people are indeed simply second hair customers because nothing about your salons proves otherwise.” – Rachel Carge (Valenti, 2020) This is because before 2015 students had to pay

Hair loss has also been a large issue in the world with both men and women either losing their hair due to health issues or just genetics, the interest in hair transplants has grown enormously over the past few years and is currently a very desirable service for many (Riley, 2021). Wig wearing used to be the norm in society a few decades ago but currently there is a stigma about wearing wigs, especially for men. It is seen by many people to be a more feminine product but really there is no sex aligned to the product and male wigs do exist.

It is currently more on trend to look natural and so some people frown upon the wearing of hair pieces if they are visible and identifiable.

This project is to provide a safe and private environment where clients can come, have a consult, and discuss the best option for themselves whether that is a wig, applying treatments or medication which can stimulate hair follicles for people that may be able to regrow their hair and improve their scalp health. Also, a space where the customer is able to pick a wig and have it fitted by a stylist in store, eliminating the stigma of wigs and hair loss as the wig will look as natural as possible if this is the aim of the client’s needs but it does also cater for those that would like to stand out in the crowd. Interiors can play a big part in purchasing a service, the stigma and inequality in this industry.

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THE BRAND The House of Hair is born from the same philosophy as skincare, the products used are to deliver strength and recovery. Understanding that beauty expectations and needs vary, providing a diverse range in services allows for all types of customer needs and desires to be addressed. Having skilled stylists with multi-cultural experience and knowledge, so no customer feels discriminated. The House of Hair offers a wide range of prices across all departments.

Providing a focus on your scalp like no other, using a mix of products including plant-based options as hair wellness is a long-term approach instead of a quick fix, as hair is so important to so many people it is logical to seek a longer-term approach, your scalp is the key to hair wellness.

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As a brand they want to eliminate the stigma regarding wig wearing and inequality within our salons.

Wigs are becoming increasingly popular as a way of accessorising and expressing yourself. Many celebrities have been wearing wigs as a form of self-expression, for example Kylie Jenner with her bright blue wig, Beyonce has had many debates circulated about her hair and whether it is natural or a wig when really it shouldn’t matter and this stigma that having a wig that looks so natural it’s hard to know “is that her hair”, a wig is a person’s hair, they own the wig. People have been wearing wigs for decades and they should no longer be questioned or due an explanation to people.

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Question 33.

Which out of the two images do you consider to be a more ‘reassuring’ space?

77% of participants voted Image 1, voting that it was mainly because of the lighting and visibility.

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