Nackie Karcher:
Owner/ Principal Stylist
"If art is the bridge between what you see in your mind and what the world sees, then skill is how you build that bridge."
The Parlour Brooklyn Salon's owner and principal stylist, Nackie Karcher, has been in the hair styling business for 17 years. Her early days as a freelance stylist in Tampa Bay, Florida built her loyal clientele that followed her after the Blink Management Agency brought her to Miami's South Beach as a free-lance stylist. During her tenure at Blink, she styled editorial and advertising photo shoots, and worked on campaigns for Verizon, Nike, Adidas and Target. In 2003, Karcher made her way up north to New York to continue her freelance career, doing commercial work for clients like PRPS and Perry Ellis. Soon after relocating to the East coast, Nackie began working for Suite 303 in the famous Chelsea Hotel and spent five years as the salons top rated stylist. In 2006 Karcher became an educator for Davines, the official brand of the The Parlour Brooklyn Salon, and now holds the title of Visionary Artist for Davines.
"For me, hair is a three dimensional work of art. Whether it is curly, kinky, straight or thinning, my aim is to enhance, deconstruct or create an illusion."
In addition to her salon and commercial work, her editorial contributions include French Vogue, Russian Vogue, Nylon Magazine, Shape and many others. She has worked with photographers like Vava Rubiero and Mark Zeliger and has also been on the beauty advisory board for Pierce Mattie New York since 2003. Karcher is very involved in the NYC music scene, and does hair for a number of the city's beloved indie bands including members of The Psychedelic Furs, TV On The Radio, The Rapture and soloist, Sonja Kitchell. Having lived in Greenpoint since 2004, she has watched the neighborhood change from a small, industrial division of Brooklyn to a thriving community of artists and young business owners while never losing it's soul. As the neighborhood evolved, Karcher saw the need for an airy, inviting salon for women and men to come and receive exactly the kind of cuts and color they wanted, without having to make the journey to the city. The Parlour Brooklyn embraces the aesthetic of Greenpoint with meticulous details derived from beauty parlors of the past, and a team of stylist that are always looking to the future.
Nackie Karchers Philosophy About Hair:
"Hair speaks to me and I can always see a haircut within a haircut. I believe it's important to educate a client about their hair and hair type so that they realize they can style it easier when equipped with the right tools."
With the key to those tools at her fingertips, Nackie has brought her vision to Greenpoint, Brooklyn with her salon, The Parlour Brooklyn. She has amassed a collective of highly talented young women, each with a distinct philosophy reflecting their individual techniques. Having worked with each artist through different stages of their careers, Nackie was able to hand select a diverse range of junior and senior level colorists and cutters, for the many tailored needs of her clients.
Cally Martin
Senior Stylist
"When you take your clothes off, your hair is the only fashion statement you will be wearing so it needs to look good!"
Cally Martin's eclectic personal style inspires her highly sought after cuts and styling sessions. "When it comes to hair I feel the same as I do about fashion." I like pulling ideas from the past and mixing them with ideas from the present, to create something that will move you into the future. Cally also feels strongly that in order to be a good hairstylist you have to be a good dancer. "If they can't dance, dont trust them with your hair!" Martin began her cutting career at the turn of the century after a long fascination with hair. After testing the waters in beauty school in Mexico she attended a two-year apprenticeship at Festoon Salon in San Francisco, working under master stylists and extending her education through workshops at Bumble and Bumble University and Vidal Sassoon. After working at Festoon Salon for five years as a stylist and educator she relocated to New York to continue her career as a hairstylist as well as pursue her work as a fine artist. After working freelance for the past few years she was thrilled to finally find The Parlour Brooklyn to be her next landing spot. "The Parlour Brooklyn is an ideal place for me, it the best non-salon, salon. We have created a place with talented stylists, good vibes, a sense of community, and a comfortable environment for people to get their hair done or just stop by and hangout. "
Cally Martin's Philosophy About Hair:
"I think hair is one of our most defining characteristics. It has the extraordinary ability to move with the wind, change with the seasons and exist in a constant state of transformation. I want to give my clients a contemporary feel, which is easy to style. As a hairstylist, my challenge is to tame this wild, organic material and bring out its best qualities. "
Kristin Jones
"I just want to get that Midas touch - where everything I touch turns to gold."
Kristin Jones specializes in creative color and thrives on creating daring, unconventional shades for all types of hair. She gathers many of her inspirations from her European travels and the uninhibited color choices she sees while shes abroad. Her personal style reflects her appreciation for the perfect vintage find, combined with a raucous, modern edge. Her emerging fashion label, If You Nasty Vintage, has been featured in several NYC trunk shows and throughout various e-commerce sites. Jones began her artistic voyage at the Alchemy Salon in Florida where she spent seven years perfecting her craft as a colorist. Dually talented as a stylist, Jones creates covetable razor cuts, classic mens cuts and concocts the perfect styling solution for unruly curls.
Kristin Jones Philosophy About Hair:
"I enjoy listening and collaborating with my clients about their hair. By exchanging ideas, we can effectively make it a joint effort. My goal is to make it as easy as possible for my clients to style their hair, so keeping the hair as close to it's natural state is key."
Meaghan Costello
Junior Stylist
"When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey."
The mystifying Meaghan Costello got her distinctive roots at Floyd's Barbershop of Ellicott City, Maryland. Her onset also taught her some of the rare barbering techniques of bygone eras, enabling her to create classic cuts for men and women alike. After graduating to a manager and stylist at Floyd's, Meaghan brought her rustic/urban style to NYC, assisting at Xena's Beauty Company in Manhattan and Woodley & Bunny in Brooklyn. As The Parlour Brooklyn's Junior Stylist and Assistant, she gives luscious, long, layered cuts, feminine short crops and educates clients about the salons extensive collection of Davines products.
Costello's knack for making clients feel at ease is one of her most enduring traits: "I want to give people a hair style they understand and fits their lifestyle - I also want to let them know why it fits their lifestyle." Her introspective approach to beautiful, healthy hair shies away from must-have trends and over-processing techniques that fight against hair's inherent state of being. Simply put: Meg works with her clients to show them how to love their hair for what it is.
Meaghan Costello's Philosophy About Hair:
"I believe hair should look natural. It is my job to enhance individual beauty without drastically altering someone's image. I want to inspire my clients to love their hair as much as I do and, give them the tools and knowledge to live up to their hair potential."
Nackie Karcher's highly anticipated salon, The Parlour Brooklyn recently opened in the emerging waterfront section of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. An airy, intimately lit space that could best be described as Earth Deco, it is accentuated with salvaged heirlooms and curiosities from days gone by. The building, erected in 1928, has been artfully reconceived with exquisite hand-painted walls, sweeping 9-foot brass framed mirrors, vintage chrome hairdryers and sumptuous leather captains chairs. The lavishly restored fireplace evokes a bohemian, Parisian dwelling from the twenties.
It is apparent as soon as you step through the custom-made gates, built by blacksmith artist, Dan King, that Nackie and her talented team of artists and designers has spared no details. A chic marble coffee bar crafted exclusively for the salon by Mark Diaz of MAD Design, offers clients refreshments and pick-me-ups upon check-in. A colorful collection of graphic print Mara Hoffman robes await in the powder room while vintage trunks stacked with a smart selection of magazines and periodicals complete the salon experience. As clients wait for their color or curls to set, an outdoor urban garden in the back is as inviting as it is relaxing.
