With its minimalist white walls punctuated by images by the notorious stencil graffiti artist Nick Walker, the Preece & Toff Salon’s interior reflects the contrasting styles of the stylists – rock ‘n roll meets Zen.February 2010
With its minimalist white walls punctuated by images by the notorious stencil graffiti artist Nick Walker, the Preece & Toff Salon’s interior reflects the contrasting styles of the stylists – rock ‘n roll meets Zen.
A collaboration of veteran hairstylists Matthew Preece and Kristoff Ball, this new salon located in Santa Monica, is the blending of two sensibilities, and is proof that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.
Ball’s reputation is indelibly cemented with the world of rock, thanks to his longtime association with Gwen Stefani (he took her from brunette to platinum) and Pink (yes, he did create her trademark shocking rosy hue). Matthew Preece, who is originally from London where he had a salon, has spent the last two and a half years journeying to and from India where he studied spiritualism. They met when they were both stylists at Fred Segal Beauty – the salon that was formerly in the space that Preece and Toff now occupies. They continued to work together at Chris McMillan – until the new space became available.
Preece and Ball are both musicians themselves, and they agree on most things when it comes to the direction of the salon, especially on philosophy. “In every decision we make about the salon we first ask ourselves ‘is it good for the community?’ Is it going to be healthy, give back and is it morally right?’ ” states Preece. “And if we make people feel better about themselves by what we say and through our work, then we are spreading happiness – and that is a positive thing.”
It was Preece’s idea to add the yoga studio. “Adding the studio just made sense to us – it will help people de-stress in these challenging times and fits perfectly into our feel good mantra.”
In addition, they plan to open up the spacious salon for fundraisers, book signings, spiritual events and classes in hairstyling techniques. Ball adds, “I want the salon to also be a school -- and contribute to the beauty community through education via seminars and classes.”
With a devoted clientele, Preece and Toff are guaranteed to bring not just celebrities but consciousness to Fred Segal Santa Monica.