Setting out to make an environment where everyone would feel welcome, Emma has achieved just that. Her barbershop in Angel is beautifully put together and the services she offers come highly recommended. A beer while you wait? Absolutely ideal!
Emma's kicking ass in an industry that's perceived to be a male only zone. Talking to her on a sunny afternoon last week, her 'why not?' attitude was infectious. Grab your men folk and get down there, we guarantee you'll both have a good time :)
Read our interview below... and for a further look inside the shop follow the ELP insta
HOME IS:
Hackney Central
AT THE MOMENT YOU ARE...
Very full up after having an indulgent lunch!
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO ON A WORKING DAY? DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS?
I always go for a long walk with my dog on London Fields. Such a peaceful way to start the day, especially if we are due to have busy day in the shop.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Creating spaces that everyone feels comfortable in, be that home or at work. My main aim with the barbershop was to open it up to everyone, girls too!
Too often barbershops are intimidating places for girlfriends and wives to come to with their guys. We also love having the girls in our chairs, we've got a few girls that want traditionally masculine haircuts and we think they look ace! More the merrier at ELP!
HAD YOU ALWAYS ASPIRED TO DO YOUR OWN THING?
Yes, is the short answer. I Had worked for a few different people over the years and always had a really good time, but never found shop that I was 100% happy with. So I decided to make my own! I had so many ideas it seemed like the logical thing to do.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE TAKEN?
Opening the shop! We moved locations from a tiny concession in a menswear shop in Covent Garden to Amwell Street, Angel. We are very fortunate that we have such a loyal clientele that came with us and some wonderful new regulars. We rely on loyalty for the shop to be success, we are forever grateful that our guys and gals get what we what do!
THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF...
People communicated more, a smile at a stranger or giving an old friend a call. I chat to people all day, every day at work and that definitely cheers me up!
EARLIEST LONDON MEMORY:
Being in Hamleys with my Mum and Dad, such a magical place!
BEST LONDON MEAL:
Black Axe Mangal in Highbury and Islington. A lot of fun and some great company!
FAVOURITE LONDON DISCOVERIES:
I love discovering tiny streets on my walk to work, I try and go different ways and get a bit lost! I have stumbled on some pretty amazing architecture on my wanderings.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Hackney is a city within a city, it is very friendly especially if you have a pooch! We have some of the best pubs and restaurants in London too. It is so green with some lovely places to walk and enjoy the nature.
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG/POCKETS ON THE DAILY GO?
I never leave the house without my Aesop Resurrection hand cream and a good book.
IF YOU COULD WORK WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE?
Stevie Nicks (we can dream!)
ARE THERE ANY MOMENTS SINCE STARTING ELP THAT PARTICULARLY STAND OUT?
Any of the events we have at the shop. Always great to see so many amazing people we are lucky enough to call friends in one place.
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
Books, I can't walk past a bookshop without going in! Especially second hand ones, you can find some amazing gems.
FAVOURITE LONDON SHOPS?
Goodhood, Choosing Keeping and Artwords.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A BARBER?
I had no ambition to be a barber, it was an incredibly happy accident. After deciding university wasn't for me I went to work as an assistant and worked my way up from there, best decision I could have made!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST THRILLING WORK INCIDENT?
A fully booked opening day at the new shop. Exhausting but crazy amounts of fun! Our friends came to celebrate in the evening with us, never has a glass of prosecco tasted so good!
