It's all about the experience; shops are no longer just shops, filled with cafes and art - and now the idea's spreading out to hair salons.
I'm not complaining.
I for one gleefully lap up the arty goods, happily pretending I'm quite cultured. We're no longer content with luxurious massaging chairs (the type that actually massage, rather than vibrate you off the seat), a trendy playlist (with said CDs displayed in special sections on and offline and available for purchase) featuring the likes of Horse Meat Disco, Noah and the Whale and Jamie T, and a polaroid display wall of well-cut customers. The next thing to hit trendy salons in trendy Soho is art. Not just art, but art on the ceiling.
The Lounge, Soho - one of the first hairdressers I have left not only not crying but also quite pleased with my hair cut and armed with lots of music tips - has opened an "exhibition space" on its ceiling titled "The Cut Throat" gallery. This might all sound a bit silly. It probably is, but it's still quite a quaint idea.
To feature "friends, family, established names and new talent galore" the space, (well, ceiling) will be "curated on a quarterly exhibition time line basis." I visited during a celebration of i-D Magazine's 300th birthday which saw a mass of covers from the magazine headed by ex-Vogue Art Director, Terry Jones.
"Established as the bible for urban culture, i-D has built a reputation for being a constant source of inspiration for all involved in the fashion industry, from photography and fashion, to art, music and design."
I meanwhile, did not know this. "Magazines on their ceiling," thought I. "How nice." But regardless of whether you're aware of why the ceiling's the way it is, it's interesting either way.
The current three month display however features textile art which, however much you may like i-D Magazine, is just a bit cooler. Until the start of 2010 work by Lizzie Finn will be on display. Created specifically for the ceiling her art "encapsulates a love of material and avant garde visuals brought together to form a visually arresting spectacle in bright, vivid shapes and forms. Semi abstract faces illustrate a celebration of 3 dimensional texture and form that will undoubtedly dazzle and impress."
Patchwork quilting, bright colours, and a mad mix of patterns you say? Well, I suppose I can take a break from the bliss of the massage chair to raise my eyes.