Why I’ve been going to Paul Edmonds London since the 80s
Pepita Weber is the salon’s most loyal client.
Born in the South of England, Pepita, 71, moved to London when she was 19 and first had her hair cut by Paul Edmonds in the early 1980s when she was looking for a new hairdresser.
“I wasn't terribly happy [with my previous hairdresser] and somebody said, ‘You must try Paul,’” she recalls. “After that, every time Paul moved, I followed him.” Paul worked for a variety of companies before opening his own eponymous salon in Knightsbridge in 1984.
At the Beauchamp Place location, Paul’s then-wife Liz was the colourist, Errol Douglas (who would go on to become a legend of British hairdressing) was a junior stylist, and an endless parade of music, movie and fashion stars came through the doors. Everyone from The Rolling Stones and Annie Lennox to Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell frequented the salon, which quickly became the go-to for the capital’s most famous faces.
Pepita, who spent some time in New York in her 20s, remained loyal to the salon even when she was living across the pond. “I had one disastrous hair experience in New York, so I kept coming back to the UK for Paul to cut my hair. I was very frequently stopped by women in the middle of Manhattan saying, ‘Where did you get your haircut?’”
Pepita returned to the UK and continued to see Paul at the Knightsbridge salon, but when Paul broke his wrist in an accident, she asked if he could recommend another hairdresser. “He recommended Zoe, and she’s been cutting my hair ever since. She is fantastic.”
Pepita, who sees artistic director Zoe Rodgers for a cut and colour every six weeks, says she still gets complimented regularly on her cropped blonde hair. “At least once a week, somebody will say to me in a shop or on the street or something, ‘Where do you get your hair done? It looks lovely.’ It’s all thanks to Zoe!”
The pair have formed a strong bond throughout the years, which Zoe appreciates. “When you have a great relationship with a client, they're confident in the skills that you have and you can be totally honest and chat about anything,” Zoe says. She also loves that Pepita has always been open to trying new styles. “She's not afraid to go with the next fashion trend or the next fashion colour, which is enjoyable for me as a creative person.”
Pepita says she values the consistency that Zoe brings, describing their client-hairdresser relationship as “longer than a marriage, actually – with no divorce!”
Here, we chat to Pepita about her hair evolution, what makes Zoe such a pro, and why she’s remained loyal to Paul Edmonds London for so long…
HOW HAS YOUR HAIR CHANGED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS?
“I had really curly hair when Paul started cutting it. It had a strong wave and it was very thick. This was back in the day when the wedge cut was in fashion – it looked amazing when Paul cut it. Paul actually was the first person to tell me that I was pregnant with our second child. He said, ‘Your hair's gone dead straight.’ Apparently, that can happen [during pregnancy].
“My hair has always been short, apart from during lockdown when it grew longer – I was hysterical! I've had the odd relaxing treatment on it about once a year, which has helped, but it took Zoe and me a very long time to decide to keep the blond bits at the front and keep the rest dark. We tried quite a few things before we got there. I really wouldn't want to change it. I'm very happy with it.”
WHAT MAKES ZOE SUCH A GOOD HAIRDRESSER?
“She likes cutting short hair and she's used to cutting short hair, I think because her hair is so similar. She’s very imaginative, and she just gets me as a person.”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PAUL EDMONDS LONDON SALON EXPERIENCE?
“It's got such a spectacular atmosphere. I think hair salons can be incredibly intimidating, but at Paul Edmonds, everybody is so helpful and smiley and they remember you. I think the design is great, without being too in-your-face. I mean, I've been going there for so long it feels like family.”
HAVE YOU EVER SPOTTED ANY CELEBRITIES AT THE SALON?
“I've seen Delia Smith there and the comedy actress Sally Phillips. But what is nice is that everybody is treated in the same way. There's no difference, whether you're a celebrity or whether you're just somebody like me! Everybody is treated equally, and I think that's very special.”
WHY HAVE YOU STAYED LOYAL TO ZOE FOR SO MANY YEARS?
“Because she's good fun and she genuinely loves all her clients. I think that's really important. She's got a very good rapport and everybody loves her. She's been around here and we've had a drink or two – she's quite a party girl! And she's just so funny. I would say she’s was joyous. She's always incredibly positive.”
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND PAUL EDMONDS LONDON TO YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY?
“I have recommended it to so many people! They make you feel at home. The haircutting is superb. You know, I've seen so many people come in to the salon and go out with great haircuts, and there’s nothing dull about any of the haircuts. The staff are very understanding and patient, but they're very on point as well.”
DO YOU BUY THE PRODUCTS THAT ZOE RECOMMENDS?
“Yes, I have always bought anything that Zoe recommended if it worked on my hair in the salon. I use the Shu Uemura Color Lustre shampoo and the conditioner that goes with it, or the Yubi Blonde conditioner to stop the blonde going brassy in the sun. I use Essence Absolue once I've washed and towel dried my hair, and sometimes I mix it with the amazing Kérastase Soleil serum, which protects the blonde in the sun. It works brilliantly. I also use the Oway Volume & Texture Hair Puff, because my hair gets quite fluffy when it's first washed and it needs a bit of texture.”
A lifetime of great hair
Both Pepita and Zoe recognise the value of their long-standing client-hairdresser relationship, but it doesn’t take decades to build up that kind of bond.
As Pepita points out, when you find a hairdresser who ‘gets’ you, you’re guaranteed a fantastic cut – and a fabulous salon experience – every time.
Want to experience Zoe’s impeccable cutting skills and joyous personality? Book an appointment with her at Paul Edmonds London.
