Gender neutral hair salon Chop Chop opens in Camden

Jan 08, 2024

A pioneering gender neutral hair salon has just opened in Camden offering digital-only appointments.

Chop Chop in Camden Market has no receptionist - customers can either book online or via a digital screen outside the salon.

Once inside, they check in on a second screen, with the cost based on the service and length of time, rather than the customer's gender.

The brand, which also has branches in Wembley and Shoreditch, is inclusive, with stylists who can cater for any hair texture from Afro to European.

Chop Chop opens on Friday June 9 in an upstairs unit at Camden Lock Market and is gender neutral. (Image: Bridget Galton)

Chop Chop appointments range from a 10-minute, £10 fringe trim, to 20-minute dry trims and clipper cuts for £25, barbering or a 30-minute restyle for £35, and a wash cut and style for around £65.

American entrepreneur Kaye Sotomi founded the brand in 2018 as a pop up in Old Street station. He had no previous hairdressing experience, but spotted that the majority of UK salons couldn't cater to Afro hair types, and the price of men's vs women's services was extortionately disproportionate.

With a background advising major companies on green policies, he also had a vision of a more sustainable industry with firm ideas on pricing, diversity and inclusivity in the beauty industry.

He says the Chop Chop model suits everyone from a busy mum wanting a quick restyle, to a young Gen Z-er needing a new look.

"As a person who was raised to be proud of my individuality, having an inclusive approach to life, I expect the same from the world I live in," he said.

"After years of interacting with the hair services industry as a client, I found that most salons were at odds with this approach. Camden has given us an opportunity to further that change and the digitalised booking and check in allows customers to be truly in control of their own experience."

Somehow Chop Chop has squeezed three chairs and a hairwashing station into the small but stylish upstairs unit overlooking the market's Middle Yard.

But the atmosphere has a youthful upbeat energy and the cuts are great.

Kaye believes his model: 'No Gender, No Texture, Just Hair' is the salon of the future. Amid a cost of living crisis, his affordable, welcoming salon looks exactly that.

Chop Chop opened on June 9 at Unit 47, First Floor, Camden Lock Market, NW1.

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