- November 21, 2024
From Motor Oil to Hair Oil: How Hair Garage Came to Be
The presence of great barbers is often synonymous with great establishments that nurture their skills and foster a culture of creativity. In this case, it’s a vibrant space where the lines between grooming, artistry, and personal passion blur seamlessly. This is Hair Garage, a salon founded by Celal Girisken, a man whose journey reflects not just a career, but a lifelong dream realized.
For Celal, the road wasn’t always lined with roses –and certainly, not with the scent of them. “The first place I ever worked at was an actual garage. I was eleven, and I was on a school break, so I used to go there to learn and to make money,” he says.
So what brought him from a garage into a hair salon? “Trauma,” he remarks with a giggle. “You don’t want to see your nails covered in oil and grease. I also always loved to repair stuff, but I wanted to work at a place where I can repair, I can create and build, but a place where it was clean and smelled nice.”
See, Celal doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, ever since he replaced motor oil with hair oils and clean dyes. As for the scent, it has since been replaced with the crisp aroma of shampoo, with a hint of freshly ground coffee beans, coming from the main coffee corner welcoming clients into his salon.
“When I was a kid, my dad said I could either work or study. I said I wanted to work at a salon, and he let me. I started working morning to evening, sweeping the floor and making coffee,” he says. “In Turkey, the women consume a lot of coffee while having their haircuts and their coloring for a couple of hours. I used to make a lot of coffee every day, and my Turkish coffee – which my mother taught me to make, earned me more tips than my colleagues.”
Celal’s inspiration for his salon stems from a childhood marked by these memories. After years of honing his craft in various salons, Celal took the leap and opened the first Hair Garage in 2016.
The concept was simple: a salon that embodies the aesthetic of a garage but with an inviting, creative twist. Celal wanted a space where clients could feel at home, enjoy quality coffee, and indulge in the art of grooming without the overpowering odors typically associated with traditional barbershops. “I used to work at a place where I couldn’t wait for the clients to come inside so I can serve them. I wanted to create something from scratch, combine my hobbies, my lifestyle, and place my personal equipment on a wall, surrounded by a team who shares my passion. I always wanted that. The ‘Garage’ concept comes from there, I guess,” he fondly explains, gesturing around the salon filled with eclectic decor, and vintage motorcycle memorabilia.
Beyond aesthetics, what sets Hair Garage apart from other salons is its inclusive atmosphere. Celal emphasizes that while the salon has a masculine vibe, it is designed to be welcoming for everyone. “We don’t target just one gender. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves,” he asserts. “Ladies love coming here because it’s not the typical pink, frilly salon. They enjoy the relaxed environment, much like being in a coffee shop.”
Celal explains how his previous experience was always in women’s salons, but when he made the decision to open his own place, he didn’t have enough money to do so. “But I had the budget to open a barbershop,” he says. “I wanted to be in the same industry, but start with a smaller investment, so that’s how Hair Garage started; it was only a barbershop, then it turned into a ladies and gents salon.”
As we delve deeper into Celal’s philosophy, it becomes clear that his commitment to quality extends beyond aesthetics. He has cultivated a team that embodies the same passion and dedication he holds dear. “I care deeply about my team,” he shares. “Their personal lives matter. Since I was young, I have wanted my boss to be understanding when I was going through something bad. I wanted to share when I was experiencing a good situation. So here, I want my team to know that I care. I know their families, and they perceive me as a brother too. They are valued and we are all in this together. This isn’t just a job; it’s a family that I care about.”
Training is another cornerstone of Hair Garage’s ethos. Celal believes in empowering his team with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the competitive Dubai market. “Many barbers go to work and do basic cuts and fades, from morning to evening” he notes. “At Hair Garage, we train our team to handle everything from color to intricate styles, ensuring they can cater to the diverse needs of both male and female clients. I don’t want them to be standard. I want them to be well-rounded, capable of delivering exceptional service.”
His passion for education is evident in the way he speaks about his team’s growth. “We specialize in long hair, curly hair, and everything in between. It’s not just about haircuts; it’s about understanding hair in its entirety. We want our clients to walk out feeling transformed, not just groomed.”
The choice of products is equally vital to Celal’s mission. He emphasizes the importance of using high-quality, sustainable brands that align with his values. “I love nature, I love freedom, and I love living,” he says. “We work with Davines and Ayunche, both of which prioritize sustainability and quality. They are recyclable and environmentally friendly. I want the products we use to reflect our commitment to the environment while also delivering exceptional results for our clients with different types of hair.”
When asked about the trends he finds compelling, Celal shares his admiration for the resurgence of classic styles, particularly the lower mullet. “I feel like it can change a person’s look fully. It’s all about how you carry it,” he explains, referencing the ability of a well-executed cut to enhance a person’s individuality. He also mentions that he has always been a fan of the vibrant styles of the seventies and the eighties, which he finds timeless. “As for women, I think the bob cut is my favorite; when I first started cutting women’s hair, it was the most challenging cut to master. One small mistake can ruin it. That was my most challenging cut, and so until now it brings me joy to do it,” he says.
As we conclude our conversation, Celal’s vision for Hair Garage’s future comes to light. He reveals plans to expand the brand beyond its current location, aiming to bring the unique Hair Garage experience to even more clients. “We are working on finding our next location, and I’m also excited to explore different concepts,” he shares. “Every community deserves a space where they can feel good, connect, and enjoy quality grooming.”