Cool to revisit this article in The Architect's Newspaper featuring our architect Ben Warwas. As "New Seagull" turns eight, we're having fun looking back and getting 1/2 way to vintage!
Since its founding more than four decades ago, Seagull Hair Salon has been a haven for queer culture in Manhattan’s West Village. The first unisex barbershop in New York City is the place to lounge, gossip, and unwind.
In September 2015, its latest generation of co-owners, veteran hairstylist Shaun “Surething” Cottle and former Le Tigre band member Johanna Fateman, moved Seagull to a larger, brighter shop around the block, commissioning Los Angeles–based architect Ben Warwas to design a space that would preserve Seagull’s signature campy irreverence.
“Those colors are very riot grrrl,” Warwas said, referring to the palette of black, white, and bright pink taken directly from the ’90s feminist movement. Postmodern flourishes abound in what the salon’s owners have described as an “upscale glam feminist Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” mainly in the form of allusions to the original space’s signature architectural features.
90's hair continues to be a vibe through 2023, at least. Chunky highlights are all anyone talks about when talking about color pre-Y2K. Let's call this Y2KHair.
No one did chunky highlights better than James Iha—guitarist and co-founder of Smashing Pumpkins.
If you are looking for inspirational photos, look no further. The's color block highlights epitomize a place frozen in time—but our stylists can go back and yank them from the time-sphere, putting them on your head for a total Y2K look. Paired with deeply shaggy and shattered ends on a blocky layered cut... Well. This is all you want.
In the last year, Seagull and Shaun have spearheaded a monolithic and singular mentorship/apprenticeship program that rises above a par-for-the-course New York City—generally two-year—assistantship time frame.
We are so happy to announce—albeit kinda late—our newest graduates. If you haven't already, meet Katie and Carly!
Katie has been working with our Principal stylists on the floor for over a year. Though starting with Seagull's mentorship program pre-2020, we now proudly have her as a full-time stylist.
A junior stylist and colorist, Carly has completed extensive color and cutting training in Seagull’s hard-won apprenticeship program with ease and anticipation for the big time. OriginallyAveda trained, Carly is precise with her shear work and has an ambitious eye for color.
Katie and Carly breathe new and exciting breath and perspective into our already robust, fun and chill environment. A real family affair!
The now-one-year-old apprenticeship program includes weekly training from our principal stylists and imported Wella advanced color knowledge from the field of national educators. They know their stuff! From advanced highlighting techniques to the newest cutting-edge hair shaping for everyday wear, these ladies have what you need. And get them while they're newer to Seagull's salon floor. They're building fast and furious.
Our mentorship program aims to find the best and most enthusiastic young feminist-leaning trainees looking to contribute more than just an injection of pure style into NYC. We found them! And they're fucking fantastic. Check out their Instagrams and know it for yourself. Katie's
So if you're looking to get out of your regular routines, come in and see them while you can. Get back to basics: Natural Born Killer Hair. Online booking available now atSeagull Hair Salon
I get asked a few times a day who does my hair or how I got my hair this color. It was definitely not easy to do! I hopped from salon to salon in New York the past couple of years trying to find someone who could actually get my hair a true white. Many colorists said it just wasn’t possible, but then I read an article about the wonder-worker Jeanise Aviles at Seagull Salon.
From the moment I met Jeanise and saw her lime green hair, I knew she was the one to make my hair dreams come true! But not only is she a color genius, she is also an absolute pleasure to be around. Let’s be real – when you spend hours and hours in a salon getting your hair colored, there is nothing worse than having a colorist with a bad attitude or even one who is boring. Jeanise is anything but boring! She is all kinds of good vibes. I tell her regularly that she is my spirit animal. She actually may be the happiest person I know.
I think finding good people to work with no matter what capacity is so important. I have made it a personal goal to only surround myself with the best people who put off the best vibes. Going forward, I will certainly share more of those people here, but I can’t think of anyone better to start with than Jeanise. Below are a few questions I asked Jeanise and her responses to my questions. Hope this makes your day as much as Jeanise always makes mine when I see her!
S: Why do you do hair?
J: Because it’s the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning!
S: How did you become the master of color?
J: By taking chances and exploring. I taught color for 3 years and it helped me break things down to understand bleach and different textures and most importantly how to keep hair healthy when coloring it!
S: What empowers you?
J: The journey of self-discovery.
S: Who inspires you?
J: My #1 is Jim Henson because he used color and texture in such ways that were over the top and against the rules and against beauty standards. Plus who doesn’t love all the colorful people!
PS Visit Seagull Salon and mention Sterling sent you! Jeanise can do everything from basic colors to crazy non-permanent colors. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!
These genderless looks will have both a 1960s vibe==and an international one, as well. "Think soldiers coming home to the 'Summer of Love' and deconstructed mod looks from swinging London," SureThing said.
Geometric bowl cuts
Strong, structured looks will also dominate in 2018. Shaun SureThing, co-owner and lead stylist at Seagull hair salon in NYC's West Village, told me, "2018 will be the year of cutting it all off. Bowl haircuts and strong geometry will dominate styles, as we trend out of the retro-1990s looks that have been making the hair scene for the last few years."
A geometric cut with an unusual shape is super sexy but it can be high maintenance, since you can't simply toss it into a ponytail on lazy Sundays and when you don't have time to deal with doing your hair. It also requires plenty of confidence with your overall style in order to pull it off, but you've so got this. Try it.
Quiles and Fishman also told me that these "modern, geometric haircuts wear like wigs," which also contributes to the commitment factor and having to maintain the cut on the regular.
Tapered Afro
This particular trend has been "creeping in all year," but is about to become more prominent for those of you who have loads of natural texture. De L'isle, Head Mixtress of color recipes at Happy Curls, Happy Girls, told me that 2018 "will definitely belong to the TWA/Tapered Afro for those with kinky, curly tresses, [which] allows you to enjoy all the volume and glory of curly hair without too much of the hassle… and it's so versatile!"
Last week Seagull color genius Jeanise was down in Florida at the Tampa Museum of Art for the opening of their newest exhibit Susanne Bartsch: Art-a-Porter, celebrating the beloved New York City fashion and nightlife icon. Collaborating with UK-born NYC-based designer Ben Copperwheat, Jeanise designed some colorfully amazing wigs for the exhibit's opening. Conjuring acid flashbacks of bright cotton candy, these dream hair creations are delightfully whimsical---just like Jeanise! And they go so well with the knitwear pieces she created for these looks.
From the Tampa Museum of Art:
"Susanne Bartsch: Art-a-Porter presents the couture designs and looks worn by Susanne Bartsch, New York City’s famed “Queen of the Night.” The exhibition highlights her celebrated career in fashion, from her early days as a boutique owner in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood to her legendary parties in New York City’s underground club scene. Bartsch has been a muse to several designers, including Thierry Mugler, Zaldy, and the esteemed corset maker, Mr. Pearl. Her boutique was one of the first American stores in the 1980s to feature emerging British designers such as Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano, who are now amongst the most influential designers in the fashion industry. Susanne Bartsch: Art-a-Porter will feature 35 looks spanning Bartsch’s extraordinary career, including designs by Alexander McQueen, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Zaldy, and the Blonds."
If your hair wants to frizz up in the rain, go ahead and use it to your advantage. "Let your hair texture work for for you: With the right products, wavy and curly hair can can actually be optimized during wet weather," says Shaun SureThing, co-owner of Seagull Salon NYC, in an email to Bustle. "I've concocted my own tonics made up of coconut oil and essential oils of bergamot, vetiver, and rose water that I use in humid weather after blow dry styling to compliment the weather rather than fight it." Genius.
Here are some other tips from this insanely great article FULL of ideas for NYC's best stylists:
If you find yourself caught in a freak rainstorm, never fear. To save your wave, simply throw hair up in a quick braid, Temur of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger tells me. You can let it down for magically re-waved hair. Or, just leave it braided. "Humidity can actually make braided hair styles look even better, because humid air will make hair more puffy and big, which makes braids look more full," he says.
If you did apply makeup — even if it was just tinted moisturizer and a touch of mascara — be sure to finish off your handiwork with a settingspray. It'll help keep your look in place, despite the fact you'll be walking through a wall of water. It works by creating a barrier between the environment and the makeup, freelance makeup artist Jeannie Giannone tells me.
So really, there's nothing to worry about when the weather turns bad. You can, with a little effort, have great looking hair and makeup on even the rainiest of days.
We were super stoked that Shaun and Seagull were included in this Bustle.com post about dealing with your hot looks when rain and humidity are drowning your style. THNX Bustle!
If you wake up to rainy skies, it's more than acceptable to rock a ponytail and zero makeup. (As it is any other day, obvs.) But if you have an event to attend, or simply want to feel more put together, then you might be interested in some ways to stay looking great in the rain.
After all, there's nothing like a downpour and a touch of humidity to make things difficult. Apart from melting makeup, you'll likely have frizz to contend with, as well as possible damp strands. (If you forget your umbrella, as I am wont to do.)
That's why the only thing you should keep in mind on a rainy day is the word simple. "Less is more on this day," says makeup artist and salon owner Brandy Gomez-Duplessis, in an email to Bustle. Not only will simpler makeup be less likely to run and smear, but it'll make quick touchups 100 times easier.
To start things off, I suggest popping off to the store to stock up on waterproof products. Get thyself a waterproof mascara, a humidity-defying cream blush, and that umbrella. Then read on for exactly what to do for great hair and makeup — even when it's raining.
Gift packages! Holiday specials! Come in with a girlfriend and enjoy a GIANT group hug from SEAGULL! We love you!
Hey all some of you probably saw our Black Friday post down below. Sorry for the repeat info but we've added some new services and we're doing gift certificate packages in addition to the other specials we are running. We want to let you know here so you can call and purchase for your friends, families and loved ones, if you can't swing by in person, which of course, we would prefer!!!!
First are the three gift certificate packages followed by the other specials that are already running. If there has ever been a time when your friend, loved one, kid, parent, whoever needs a little TLC and pampering it's now and Seagull has it in droves BIGXO!
Night Out Special - A full make-up session with Mel (1 hour) and a blowout with one of our lovey assistants.
Restore Repair Rebuild - Haircut at regular price with a restorative/smoothing treatment of YOUR choice on the house courtesy of Seagull. Usually the treatments run about $50-75 but hey, we know you need it. Some of these even come with take home, upkeep products!
Lighten up! - Balayage highlights with a restorative/smoothing treatment of YOUR choice, again courtesy of Seagull.
Well, we hope all of you are doing well and keeping your chins up when you can. We can't wait to see you when you come in for a visit. Bring a friend, let's all hold hands and smile!!!! xoxoxoxSeagull
Now more than ever, support small businesses as you blaze through your holiday to-do list! We’ve compiled a very little list of suggestions for beautiful and useful things we love with, of course, ways to give the gift of SEAGULL at the top! Xx Johanna
Did you see the profile in T Magazine?! We were thrilled to get such an amazing write-up. FYI Mel did my make-up and I am wearing a t-shirt designed by Viva Ruiz of CHOCOLATINA ACTIONS. They are available Printed Matter now!
Shop at Three Lives & Company! Our local independent bookstore has secured a new lease and will stay in business just around the corner at West 10th and Waverly Place! Three Lives has been around since 1978!
One of our favorite shops, Otherwild , now has a NYC location! Otherwild is a beautifully curated store on the Lower East Side famous for their revival of a classic slogan THE FUTURE IS FEMALE. They have accessories, artwork, tee-shirts, and magic potions for everyone on your solstice list.
Pottery by Osa! For the pour-over coffee people and everyone who drinks beverages.
