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COMPETITION INSIDE HAIR MAKEOVER FOR YOU AND A FRIEND

To all our wonderful clients, thank you so much for your loyalty and support over the years.

We look forward to looking after you for the next 50 years”

Otto & Barbara

Dear Otto, Barbera, Greg and Laura -

Sam and I both wanted to reach out and say congratulations from ALL of us at SWEET SQUARED on such an amazing 50 year milestone!!!

I know that we are both ‘new’ to being the sacred flag flyers for all things Paul Mitchell in the UK, but we are both passionate about the brand and we are so PROUD to represent it and loyal, amazing customers like yourselves, who have such a strong, passionate history with the JPMS brand and team.

We are so excited to bring this beautiful brand to the forefront and showcase how amazing the products, services and people who represent the brand - are!!

So we too (even though we are new) - thank you for your passion and loyalty and again wish you love, respect and huge congratulations on such a milestone. I bet you have some AMAZING stories to tell!!

Both Sam and I look forward to meeting you all one day soon!!

Love & Respect

2 Green Park, Coal Road, Leeds, LS14 1FB

T: 0333 000 7000 | D: 0113 532 5231

sweetsquared.com

Samantha Sweet

Sweet Squared

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BARBARA & OTTO BEFORE HAIR OTT

Otto was born in the vibrant city of Munich, Germany, carrying on a proud family legacy as he embarked on a career as a fourthgeneration hairdresser.

Infused with a spirit of adventure, Otto left Germany and, after making a stop in Guernsey, arrived in London in the swinging sixties (1969 to be precise). Once settled in the Big Smoke, he wasted no time in sharpening his skills at the leading hair salons of the time including Toni & Guy and Vidal Sassoon.

Otto first met Barbara in the bustling Chalet Swiss Club on Charlotte Street, Soho – an encounter that would change both their lives. At the time Barbara was working as a PA to a theatrical agent and, on that fateful day, she

decided to pop in and see a friend who worked at the Chalet Swiss - and as they say, the rest is history.

Barbara and Otto tied the knot in 1971 and, this year, the happy couple celebrate 55 years of marriage – a true testament to their love and partnership.

The first years of their marriage were spent in Europe and London but then, in 1975, after welcoming their first child, Greg (on Valentines day!) they decided to look for a more permanent home. Barbara’s brother-in-Law Colin, told them about the available units under the Civic Centre in Isambard Brunel Road, Portsmouth, which they agreed would make a perfect salon.

The first Hair Ott Salon opened on Friday 13th, 1976 - but it was to be anything but unlucky!

How the name Hair Ott was created:

When opening a business, one of the first questions Otto and Barbara asked themselves was “what are we going to name it”? Hair Ott was born one (possibly drunken) night when Otto and Barbara were visiting with Barbara’s sister Daphne and husband Colin. In the 70’s a lot of hairdressers were called Mr something and as Mr in German is Herr, Daphne suggested Hair Ott. born.

Friday 13th April 1976

The first day was really the night before as everybody worked through the night to have the salon ready - in fact, the builders only left at 5am with clients due in at 9am.

Even though they had not slept for over 24 hours, the salon opened on time with their four Hairdressers Otto, Simon, Sandy and Dot. The reception was a real family affair with Barbara, Daphne and Barbara’s dad, Benny looking after it.

As well as Reception, Barbara also looked after all the business side of the salon - running it mostly from her kitchen table, particularly after the couple welcomed their second child, Laura in 1978.

THE EARLY YEARS

When Otto arrived in Portsmouth, he and his team were the only Vidal Sasson trained hairdressers offering precision hairdressing and styles.

Otto says of those early years: “I was ambitious and believed in hard work. With a family to support, there was no greater motivation for me and Barbara than to build something really special. We poured our hearts into making sure our dreams became a reality”

Hi Otto, please find attached my wedding photo from October 1978. Stylist was Simon at your Isambard Brunel salon in Portsmouth. In 1976

I had just come back from living in Paris for 2 years and I remember being worried that I wouldn’t be able to find a hairdresser locally that could match what I had there - enter the newly opened Hair Ott! I was so impressed then, and I have been ever since!

I now go to Cosham salon and am looked after by the wonderful Sam.”

Chris

Stray, Client

When I was 15 nearly 16 and still at school in 1980, the gorgeous punk stylist Sarah from your Isambard Kingdom Brunel salon, gave me the sharpest plum Bob anyone had seen! I went on to model at one of your shows with an incredible very dark purple/ black inverted bob.

I left Hair Ott for many years when I worked away, but have been back at the Whiteley salon over a decade, where the equally gorgeous Patrick cuts my hair now. Nearly 50 years on ... it’s still cut in a bob but it’s now white … naturally.”

Donna Mackenzie,

Client

BEHIND THE SCISSORS – 1980’S

BUILDING THE LEGACY

During the 80’s, Hair Ott started building its legacy and began integrating itself into the very fabric of the local community with hair shows and charity fundraising. Working closely with the Portsmouth News, Hair Ott ran popular competitions as well as advertising in the paper. The team grew exponentially and the four designers became first 15 then 20. The salon became known locally not only as the place to go to get your hair done but also the place to go if you had ambitions of becoming a hairdresser - something that still continues to this day.

I have been coming to Hair Ott since I was a teenager and even took part in a model show when I was 16.

I have had so many different styles over the years! I love coming in to see Sarah and what we can create.”

Carol White, Client

Carol White

GROWING THE LEGACY

In 1992, Otto and Barbara took another bold step on their journey by opening their second salon, Banana Hair, at 149 London Road. North End, alongside their dynamic partner Natasha Grocutt.

With Natasha’s inspiring leadership, Banana Hair blossomed. The team’s passion for growth meant that first-rate education became just as important as cuttingedge hairdressing, and soon the back of the North End salon was transformed into the very first Hair Ott training academy – a vibrant hub of creativity and learning.

The family’s drive for progress continued with the Cosham Salon which opened in 1999 in partnership with their son Greg; A talented educator and hairdresser and, under his leadership, Greg’s team flourished.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR

TIGERS PAST AND PRESENT

WIN A HAIR MAKEOVER FOR YOU AND A FRIEND

To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re launching an exciting competition! One lucky winner and their friend will receive a fabulous hair makeover.

The prize includes a Colour, Luxury Treatment and Cut and Design in Hair Ott Cosham.

READY TO WIN?

To enter the competition, email hello@hairott.co.uk with your answer to this question:

What was the day, date and year that the first Hair Ott salon opened?

Entries close on 31st August, 2026

GOOD LUCK

ACCELERATING EDUCATION

Education has always been the heartbeat of Hair Ott. Since 1976, Hair Ott has trained 100s of team members to become successful hairdressers. In 2001, their dedication to Education was recognised when they achieved the prestigious Training Centre status. For four years running (2006 - 2009) they were also finalists in the Education category of the British Hairdressing Business Awards.

The 1990s and 2000s were also the start of their creative era. The team took part in lots of catwalk shows, fashion shoots and competitions, usually with their favourite model, Pip, and her gorgeous, trademark short blond pixie crop.

THE SALONS

The 2010s were the decade of the salons.

In 2010, they opened their third salon in Waterlooville with North End team member Liz Batalha (nee Aranibar). The salon was an instant hit and grew rapidly.

In 2012, after 36 years, Hair Ott sadly closed their Isambard Brunel Road Salon, following the council’s decision to redevelop the land for students.

2013 was a busy year for the team; in February, Hair Ott Lakeside opened, and then, in September, they launched their first Salon Partnership Salon with Patrick

and Mark Dunford in the revamped Whiteley Shopping Centre.

In 2015, Masterclass Academy launched above Hair Ott Waterlooville, delivering Apprenticeship training to Hair Ott and other hairdressing salons in the area.

Currently, Masterclass Academy has a 97% first time pass rate for all Hairdressing Apprenticeships (the national average is 58.9%).

Finally, in 2016, they closed the doors of Hair Ott North End and combined the team into Cosham to make one super salon of talented team members.

And, in 2010 they finally won the Education Category at the British Hairdressing Business Awards!

And in 2019, they won the Education Salon award at the Salon Business Awards.

Education has always been the heart of Hair Ott. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools they need to be successful.”

Otto Ott

I moved to Portsmouth from Scotland in 2012, 6months into my Navy career. Due to number of bad experiences when I was at Uni in Glasgow I used to travel back home to Arbroath (2.5hrs) and get my hair cut as I knew I could trust them. This continued when I moved here (9.5hrs!) and so I used to only have my hair cut two or three times a year when I went home.

Work was very busy and I didn’t have a chance to get back as often and so a friend referred me to Hair Ott and after my hair cut with Chloe I haven’t looked back. The first picture is my first haircut with you I sent the photo to my friends back home with the announcement I had some ‘major news’ - they all thought I was engaged but I told them that I had found a hairdresser in Portsmouth. The second photon is the very next day when I actually did get engaged!!

I’ve loved how I’ve ‘grown’ with Hair Ott and can’t wait to bring in our daughter Iona for her first haircut when she’s old enough!”

Amy Glover, Client

COVID AND BEYOND

Hair Ott had big plans for 2020, declaring it the Year Of Colour, unfortunately those plans got curtailed when COVID hit and the salons closed, not once but twice.

During this time, the Masterclass and Hair Ott Education teams excelled. They adapted their teaching for Apprentices to homebased learning (which is tricky for a practical qualification!) and in 2021 were recognised by their industry

peers for this dedication when they won the Salon Business Award for Education for a second time.

In 2023, Laura and Otto Ott launched the Feel-Good Hairdressing podcast. Dedicated to Hairdressing Professionals, Laura & Otto share their top tips, and epic fails to help other Salon Owners excel and hopefully not make the same mistakes.

THE FUTURE

Over the last 50 years, Hair Ott has opened seven salons, closed five, survived recessions and a pandemic. Focus is now on the continued success of the two salons in Cosham and Whiteley and on growing its education services to offer more apprenticeships and train more people to become successful hairdressers.

When we opened the salon, we wanted a salon that was fair, fair for everybody, a salon where everyone can grow and live their dreams. 50 years later, I still feel exactly the same way.”