SAKS Hair and Beauty started off life 35 years ago with a small salon in County Durham and now has more than 140 branches nationwide, award-winning hairdressers and a host of celebrity clients. To celebrate its anniversary LIZ LAMB delved into the Saks archives to discover hairstyles past and present
Stylists become stars
It now has more than 140 salons nationally and cabinets crammed with hairdressing awards.
Creative director Andrew Barton, who is British Hairdresser of the Year, is often spotted on television and the firm’s celebrity clients include Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster, Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue.
Saks’s head office remains in the North East.
Managing director Stephen Kee recalls: “When Saks opened all those years ago, it really was a phenomenon. Saks was the first to move away from traditional shampoo and setting to the new ‘cut and blow dry’ as we now know it. Clients flocked in. With aspirations to become national, franchising was the answer. Franchising took off in 1981 and the Saks group – then 12 salons – grew year on year to the huge network of salons we have today. Saks spread throughout the UK, with salons from Brighton to Aberdeen, Belfast to Great Yarmouth.
“It wasn’t just about hair, however. Our research showed that clients wanted beauty as part of their Saks experience. We launched the beauty concept in 1995 and have never looked back. Saks is now the UK’s leading high street beauty salon group.
“Our presence isn’t purely high street, however. In 1998 we forged links with health club giant David Lloyd Leisure and as their nominated salon group, continue to open salons in their clubs nationwide.
“As British Airways’ nominated salon group, we also have salons at London’s Heathrow Airport, catering for BA personnel, and towards the end of 2008 we opened a salon in Dubai, with more on the way.
“From the seventies to date, Saks signature haircuts and colours have graced the heads of beautiful women and been published in magazines around the world. Saks launches a stunning signature hair collection each year.
“Clinical treatments have been a 21st Century phenomenon for the country, with Saks being the first to launch botox and injectables as a high street service.
“Our academies came to the fore in the 90s and noughties as centres of excellence for Saks people and external delegates, eager to learn Saks techniques and inspirations. The Saks Art Team (the company’s stylist elite) inspires hairdressers in India, Greece, Denmark, Prague, Malaysia, Crete, Ukraine, Switzerland, Lebanon, Germany, France and more, presenting shows and seminars.
“We have a number of superstar stylists at Saks, many of whom work with celebrities and take part in shoots for top glossy magazines. Andrew Barton is particularly busy - when he’s not travelling the world heading up the Saks Art Team or styling the hair of A-list stars including Penny Lancaster, he’s in front of the camera as resident hair expert on hit make-over show 10 Years Younger and on GMTV’s LK Today.”
“Although we have been around for over 30 years I still feel we are really just beginning.
“What started as a single salon is now a global concern. We’ve always stuck to our core values of style and excellence, wrapped up in superlative customer care. I’d say those values carry merit the world over.
“Next stop…the moon?.”
For more information on Saks visit www.saks.co.uk
