Getting your hair done can — and should be — a transformative experience. This June, the acclaimed salon, Not Another Salon, on Brick Lane in London is collaborating with Coca-Cola to help everyone find their flavour by helping them undergo a hair transformation all inspired by the brand’s range. From Dua Lipa-inspired hues to vanilla-infused colourings, the Flavour Parlour will be home to an exclusive space for everyone to come together to get their hair transformed — and capture the perfect snap afterwards.
To celebrate the collaboration, Schön! speaks with Not Another Salon Director and Founder Sophia Hilton about hair trends, working with Coca-Cola, and more.
What was your vision behind founding Not Another Salon, and how has it evolved since its inception?
Our decor might be a bit attention-seeking… but there is more to it than that. When you are in our four walls we want you to be transported away from the outside world, into a safe place that feels away from the judgment of the outside world. It’s almost childlike here, to remind you of a simpler time when you were unapologetically you. Through the years, we have constantly found ways of making our environment, more welcoming to everyone. We were the world’s first salon to become gender-neutral, causing a wave of salons around the world to do the same. And then we were the 1st to offer a silent service, meaning you’re allowed to get your hair done in quiet, without the pressure of chit-chat. We are ever-evolving for individual needs.
Can you share some of the innovative techniques or trends you’ve pioneered in the hairdressing world?
When we launched we hit the press with ‘the perfect bleed’ which was a vivid colour, but done in a really luxurious and ‘professional’ way. For so long vivid colour was something you DIY’d and experimented with in your bedroom, but those people have grown up now and have corporate jobs, so this one was all about making that colour work for them! We also launched the silent and mirrorless services to cater to our client’s needs who are different from the majority – whether you’re neurodivergent, or just want a bit of peace during your appointment, we wanted to allow our clients to choose.
You’re working with Coca-Cola to open up the Flavour Parlour. How did the collaboration come to fruition?
They reached out to us with the idea and we loved it! It fits our salon space so the aesthetic connection was obvious. From there we came up with the colour menu, a mix between the luxurious high-end colour we’re known for and the Coca-Cola favour heritage.
How did you collaborate on the specific shades and colours and how they pair with the different Coca-Cola drinks?
They’re very much led by the colours that we feel represent each of the Coca-Cola flavours. We started by asking ourselves ‘what does cherry Coca-Cola look and feel like on a head of hair’, and went from there. We ended up with a colour for every type of person, Classic or bold, we had it covered with all the flavours!
What are some other hair trend predictions are you forecasting for the rest of 2024?
- CHERRY: “It’s bold, but it’s so beautiful. Cherry red is going to be the colour for those looking to push their trend limits and make a statement this summer. We’re obsessed with Dua Lipa’s cherry red hair revival, but we can’t resist a throwback of Cheryl circa 2010 with this exact tone, or Rihanna also in 2010 with her bright cherry.”
- OUT AND PROUD: “There has been a significant shift for black people to embrace their natural hair and wearing it ‘out’. While Gen Z naturally wear their hair with confidence, Millennials and Gen X often face emotional experiences when embracing natural hair due to past stigmas. We have recently had many thirty-something women wear their hair out for the first time, sitting in tears. When a woman of a certain generation looks herself in the mirror and says ‘yes, this is me’ it is a very powerful moment. This is more than fashion. This is a deep routed generational shame that is slowly being released and celebrated.”
- GOTH GIRL BLONDE: “As all the gothic girls are transitioning from black to blonde this summer – it’s dirty, grungy with a root, think Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted as opposed to Legally Blonde. Bleaching your hair from dark to light not only is incredibly challenging and damaging, but often leads you with unwonted yellow tones. Because the ‘Goth Girl Blonde’ trend doesn’t care about this, she’s on the journey and she’s here for the ride.”
- PINK GRUNGE GLAM: “24 hours after Kim’s last new platinum hair launch in April 2024, she dropped in this awesome pink grunge vibe. Kim knows just as well as us, a soft cool pink is perfect to shock the crowds on a night out, but is easily removable so you can get onto your next look in no time. Being able to remove a colour is the number one conversation at Not Another Salon. Being able to express yourself, even if it’s just for 24 hours at the weekend or a holiday is so good for our mental health.”
- PANEL ME: “Panels have become the number one trend at Not Another Salon and across the UK. ‘Powerful placement’ is dominating our day. The two key panel trends we’re seeing is white panelling on natural black hair with our Asian clients, or huge panels through the front that works with any colour combination.”
- ANTI-FASHION: “With inclusivity and diversity ever more prevalent in the way in which people express themselves and their look, we’ve noticed a strong trend towards people saying ‘no’ to fashion. Not Another Salon have always been advocates of this, where we encourage people only to express who they are on the inside, regardless of what is on trend. We truly believe this is the non-trend of the future. As cultures collide and fashions merge globally, there is a more of a nod towards expression over the restraints of the old conformist world. “I used to pretend I was interested in fashion for many years, because as a stylist, it’s something you believe matters. It’s only once I shook off the social expectation that everything I should do should be ‘on season’ that I could really be a great hairstylist. Do I create on-trend looks? Yes absolutely, but is the human in front of me the number one priority? Yes absolutely!”
What celebrity has the most dreamy or inspiring hairstyle for you right now?
We’re obsessed with Dua Lipa’s cherry red hair revival, but we can’t resist a throwback of Cheryl circa 2010 with this exact tone, or Rihanna also in 2010 with her bright cherry.
What have been some defining moments in your career that have shaped who you are today?
A few years ago, I had a makeover show on the BBC which was pretty much what we do every day in the salon. Taking the misfits of society and making them feel like themselves. Just recently, I received a letter from the father of two, who, after watching the program, several times, built up the courage to come out as bisexual to his wife. He said to me that the program helped more than six people in my chair. I sat there in floods of tears, listening to the story of his life, and how the essence of our business has changed him, even though he’s never been in all four walls.
What are your future goals for Not Another Salon and your personal career in the next few years?
I’m actually an international educator on how to manage the new generation. My company is young and forward-thinking, and although I definitely don’t always get it right, I try to always challenge myself on how I could be a better leader for the young people of today. I’m currently writing a book on how to better connect to Gen z, and will continue to travel the world, telling my story of how we can build a better world by working together.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind in the hairdressing industry?
I don’t have any doubt that I have changed this industry substantially. Even as simple as encouraging salon owners to allow their teens to wear expressive clothing. That removing colour and personality does not equal professionalism. I believe I’ve helped redefine what professionalism is in our industry, allowing my team to be fun and expressive whilst charging high prices and excellent quality work. I honestly just want to leave the beauty industry in a better position than it was when I found it, That’s my dream.
EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Sophia Hilton from Not Another Salon applies the finishing touches to Maggie Lamoon at the Flavour Parlour, a new salon celebrating the full range of Coca-Cola flavours, in London. Issue date: Monday June 3, 2024. PA Photo. Free hair transformations are available at the salon from June 6 – 8, allowing fans to get a full hair transformation based on their favourite flavour, including celeb-inspired Cherry Cola, Vanilla and Lemon. Photo credit should read: David Parry/PA Media Assignments
Learn more about Not Another Salon at notanothersalon.com.
