I am here to interview Charlie Chan who happens to hail from the same hometown as I, Kuching, the capital of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. Coincidentally, we attended the same school, although he left for Edinburgh at the age of 14 for further studies.
Charlie Chan the 'hair cutter' (as he calls himself) is not to be mistaken with Charlie Chan the fictitious Honolulu-based famous American Chinese detective created by Earl Derr Biggers in his novels of the 1920s. That Charlie Chan was featured in many television shows. As a detective, that CC was the equivalent of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, the Belgian sleuth.
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| Luxury Hair Salons London |
Both Charlie Chans are legends in their own right - the detective for his crime-solving skill while the hair guru solves 'hairy' problems. I am in good hands, for Charlie has been described as "a true genius in precision cutting and elegant beautifully finished hair, one of the finest and most talented hairdressers in London", a real life 'scissorhands' ( from the film, Edward Scissorhands, starring Johnny Depp). In a city like London where talented hairdressers good enough for the "stars" are much appreciated, that is quite an achievement for a Malaysian.
Many who achieve as many high accolades in their field as out CC might well be strutting around, dropping names of their celebrity clients as badges of recognition, Charlie's feet are firmly planted on the ground. When I asked him what he calls himself - hair stylist or hair designer? - he said nonchalantly "I am a hair-cutter. I don't do colors as I am color blind."
Hair cutter? It's like calling a premium brand champagne a sparkling wine. His humility is touching. Fact is, he has been the Creative Director of MICHAELJOHN for the past thirty years. His client list comes straight out of a "Who's Who" of well-known celebrities that include Anna Wintour and Simon Cowell, Hollywood A-listers and global sporting stars. He is reticent about his famous clients.
When I ask him about his A-list clients, he explains, "They come here on private visits and we have a duty to protect their privacy and not exploit our professional relationship." But with the journalistic instinct of a Rottweiler's jaw on a fleeing ankle, I managed to pry from him some snippets about Anna Wintour, the New York based English editor-in-chief of American VOGUE, whose life was reputedly portrayed in "The Devil Wears Prada". Known to be aloof, she seldom smiles in public. She probably comes from the same charm school as Victoria Beckham - the academy of glum.
Wintour is a brand name herself. She is famous not just for her work as a brilliant fashion editor but for her trademark pageboy bob haircut that frames a slender face, which is usually shaded by a large pair of dark sunglasses.
"Charlie, I heard that you are the creator of Anna Wintour's lovely bob", I enquired. Charlie replies, "Anna used to wear a long bob, I just refined the cut and shortened it to suit her face. I use the "bevel" technique to style hair, which gives body to the cut but still retains the shape of the hairstyle on the outside."
Obviously; the "bevel technique" works wonders on Wintour's hairstyle for she is always immaculately turned out with that beautiful bouncy bob. Since we are on that subject, I pursue further; "I gather you also cut Simon Cowell's hair?" With the patience of a saint, he replies reluctantly, "Yes, he is one of my clients."
"What's he like in real life?" I continue. "He's a really nice guy and he loves roast chicken". I am not sure where roast chicken fits into this conversation about hair, but I am grateful for that information and will think of roast chicken the next time I see Simon Cowell on television. We change the subject about celebrities after that, as he does not want "to get into trouble" talking about them.
Adorned in a black Chinese jacket Charlie has the demeanour of a sage with his cropped silver hair (wonder who cuts his hair?) and rimless glasses A deeply spiritual man who follow the Hindu faith, he exudes charisma and the wisdom of an old soul. Aside from his work, he has a passion for astrology and is a Tai Chi Master who teaches "short form yang style Ta Chi" at the London School of Tai Ch Chuan. He expounds the benefits of Tai Chi as an internal Chinese martial art for defense as well as health benefit.
"Tai Chi is moving meditation to train your mind to be the centre of balance. It develops your core strength. It will give you the flexibility of a child physically, the strength of a lumber jack and the wisdom of a sage. I am in a constant state of Tai Chi from morning till night. It helps me in my work," he tells me.
It explains that cool, calm and collected air he possesses. With decades of experience in the business, he develops a special bond with his regular customers. They find his tranquil manner soothing. He enjoys reading the horoscope of friends and I am sure many a customer too. He volunteers to read my horoscope from his electronic tablet. Having ascertained my birth chart, he proceed to read my astrological characteristics and state of well-being and the good news is, he happily informs, that I have very strong and healthy hair, which indicates I have very healthy kidneys.
Charlie is an Earth Dragon and he has a Kua 2 Feng Shui chart so he is a West group person and his auspicious directions are South (Wealth), North (Health), Southeast (Relationship) and East (Personal Growth). Being health conscious and in possession of a highly intuitive mind, his bed is instinctively facing North, which enhances his health. He is also a foodie who enjoys good food and apparently is quite a demon in the kitchen with his state-of-the-art stove complete with restaurant-style wok. At the salon, Charlie's work station enjoys a great corner spot near the door where the energy enters the building and accumulates.
MICHAELJOHN has been given a facelift and the newly-renovated interior is all about shiny mirrors, glittering crystal chandeliers and glass walls. A mirrored partition wall by the entrance screens the inner sanctum of the salon from the street to give privacy to patrons while slowing down the energy from the traffic outside. Good feng shui for sure.
A prominent table built against this wall is bathed in light from a crystal chandelier above, complemented by two table lamps and a generous display of flower arrangements that is not just for aesthetics but meant to attract energy into the building. A semi-circle Feng Shui-friendly chrome enclosure houses the reception and the cashier by the door, which benefits from the gentle flow of the chi that is distributed by the mirrored wall.
With its luxurious posh ambiance run by a team of sleek and efficient hair stylists, MICHAELJOHN has earned its place as a salon to the stars, and Charlie Chan, the coiffeur extraordinaire, is undoubtedly a cut above many. I leave the salon with a nice bouncy bob of healthy hair, though not quite the Wintour cut. Neverthdess, it has the Charlie Chan trademark giving me a nice feeling. Try Charlie next time you visit London. To find out more, you can check out Luxury Hair Salons London.