ted gibson​

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Over the past several decades, the retail landscape has changed dramatically. The cost of space has increased and this, in turn, has made it more costly to house inventory such a beauty products. At the same time, shoppers have increasingly elected to purchase products online. This has been due in part to lower cost as well as the convenience of having the products delivered directly to one’s place of residence. As shopping habits have changed, so to has the nature of the stylist. Stylists have become increasingly entrepreneurial. They have found greater independence from the salon via social media and less beholding to work within another brand. This has led to a capacity to move from one locale to another

with greater ease. Salons have responded by offering greater flexibility and the capacity for stylists to work on a more temporary basis rather than having a permanent station. It was this context that Ted Gibson and his partner Jason Backe found themselves in when they decided to close their 40 seat salon in New York. During this period, they found themselves working between the East and West Coast. In deciding what to do next, they decided to relocate to Los Angeles and develop a salon tailored to the entertainment industry. At the same time, they were interested in creating a space to serve a younger crowd of entertainers and influencers rather than the more established socialite and fashion clientele that patronized their New York salon. IMAGES BY RAFAEL GAMO