A cut above

A cut above

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Thu 11 Sep 2014 12:00 AM

In the heart of the San Lorenzo neighbourhood, near Florence’s Central Market, walking into International Studio you could be in London, New York or any metropolis in the world. Starkly white with a futuristic feel, you cross the threshold of the fully renovated, 500 m2 (1,640 sq.ft), 14th-century convent of Saint Barnaba with its high, vaulted Renaissance ceiling, and you remember you’re in Florence, in a place where the past meets the future.

Headed up by internationally renowned hair stylist and educator Gianluca Sasso, International Studio recently opened its new hair salon doors to a cosmopolitan public in via Panicale. Hairdresser to the stars and formerly European artistic director of Sebastian Professional, one of the world’s leading hair care companies, Gianluca quit the position in 2011 to focus his energies entirely on this Florentine project.

International Studio is called that for a reason. ‘Nico, my business partner, is Greek; I’m half Greek, half Italian; Ana is from Croatia, Nina is half American, half Italian, Cinzia is Italian,’ Gianluca highlighted, passionate about the project. In fact, all of the International Studio team speak English, plus several other languages besides. It’s a genuinely multi-cultural hair salon offering the highest of skills.

But the old-meets-new space along via Panicale offers more than just hair—although locks remain the central focus, of course. Florentines and foreigners alike come to via Panicale to have a hair cut, hair colour and highlights done. You can leave your belongings in the lockers and head out into Florence to do a spot of shopping before returning to the International Studio for a relaxing break with a cup of coffee before treating yourself to a manicure and make-up. Or even a quick aperitivo while sending an email or two using the complimentary Wi-Fi. Flick through the many design books and take a look at Gianluca’s hair art and collector’s items on display in the spacious bar area. International Studio is a peaceful haven in the city centre, and it’s one of the very few hair concept spaces in Italy. ‘It’s not so much an experience but feeling like you belong to something,’ Gianluca emphasized.

International Studio is also conscious of the decision to move its 30-year-old hair salon from a central position along via Porta Rossa to via Panicale. ‘We have moved a piece of via Tornabuoni here. It’s about the rebirth of the area.’ This sense of regeneration is on view in the architecture and feel of the building. Perfectly balanced, with Renaissance arches and contemporary steel and glass finishes, it is a fusion of history and the future, or as Gianluca says, ‘The idea is, blending together the super modern with the super past. It’s about timeless beauty.’

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this space along via Panicale truly deserves to be seen and experienced with your eyes—and, more importantly, hair.

International Studio

Hair salon and Make-up

Via Panicale 61r – Firenze

Tel. 055/293393

Open: Tue-Thu 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm

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