SalonEVO Magazine

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EVO Rewind : ARROJO

IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO DECADES SINCE THE FIRST ARROJO STUDIO OPENED IN NEW YORK CITY. TODAY, THERE ARE THREE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ARROJO STUDIOS IN NEW YORK, EACH ONE A BEACON OF STYLE, TALENT AND FASHION

At the helm of the ARROJO brand is sole owner and founder, celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo. A revered hairdresser, educator and businessman, Nick began his career in his hometown of Manchester in England, working as a stylist for Vidal Sassoon and Wella International before taking the position of Director of Education at Bumble & Bumble in New York.

            Not only has Nick become a master of hair, he is no stranger to the spotlight, taking on the role of hairstylist on TLC’s What Not to Wear for seven years, racking up a star-studded client list. 

An icon in the hair industry, Nick brought his ultimate dream to life when he opened the first ARROJO Studio on September 4th 2001 as a six-chair salon on Spring Street, Soho. Hair was washed in a sink, not a backwash, and there was not even a reception desk. 

            Instead, Nick and his then-small team focused on creating a truly great style and a memorable experience for every client and today, ARROJO is a multi-award winning brand recognized around the world for excellence, integrity and commitment to the art and craft of hairdressing.

 The Soho salon moved to the current location in 2003, becoming an 18-chair salon. In 2005, there was a further expansion into a 36-chair salon. In 2008, the Soho location enjoyed its final expansion, becoming a 13,000 sq ft facility, incorporating the Soho salon, Advanced Academy and Cosmetology School.

            ARROJO Tribeca opened in 2015 as a 16-chair salon, closely followed by ARROJO Williamsburg, a 32-chair salon. In 2019, the Tribeca location was remodeled to create extra space and chairs, making it a 24-chair salon.

            Now that is what we call growth. The reason for Nick’s success boils down to that simple mission statement: truly great style and a memorable experience. Today, despite his busy schedule, Nick still takes 30-50 clients weekly and is the key decision maker for the ARROJO brand.

            When it came to designing the salons, the decision was made to go back to Nick’s roots: 1980s Manchester and Factory records, the infamous Manchester music label that designed office and music space that celebrates stripped down, post-industrial minimalism of open space, functionality and elegance.

            “This was especially close to my heart because I was a resident DJ at the Hacienda and cut the hair of Tony Wilson and The Happy Mondays, among others,” says Nick. “It was the fuss-free, minimal elegance and functionality from that era that inspired us to take these design elements and bring them into our salon space.”

            The flowing lines are bright, airy, and open and reflect the clean, contemporary image the ARROJO team wish to portray. Each area of each space flows into the next in a smooth and graceful way. An open-plan space also creates a greater sense of teamwork, which the clients are able to see.

            The flagship salon on Varick Street in SoHo, inspired by the elegance of industrial design, is an open-plan, minimalist facility and is home to the Advanced Academy Seminars, reflecting ARROJO’s passion for modern creative style. A 4,500 sq ft facility, the salon features a makeup station, large reception area and retail store, as well as the adjoining ARROJO Cosmetology School.

            Recently refurbished and upgraded, ARROJO TriBeCa provides beautiful wearable hair to clients in the triangle below Canal Street. One of New York’s most desirable areas, TriBeCa is a premium fashion, beauty and lifestyle location. The 12,500 sq ft facility includes a spacious, full service salon and the second location of ARROJO Cosmetology School.

            Located at 11 Broadway, ARROJO Williamsburg enjoys an iconic spot by the Williamsburg Bridge, with views to the East River and Manhattan’s skyline. A 3,300 sq ft site with 15-feet high windows and a 25-foot high ceiling, the custom architectural design is influenced by industrial elegance and modern minimalism. This striking salon has 32 chairs and provides fashionable styles to clients from east Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

            Each of the salons specialize in haircuts, hair color and a number of other texture services, including the American Wave, relaxers, mane tamer and more, as well as deep conditioning treatments, pro blow dries, up-dos, dry styling, extensions, braiding and bridal services.

            “We practice our own method of modern and creative, precision-based hair cutting with scissors and razor. We are especially known for our signature razor cutting technique, pioneered by myself and shared with thousands of American hairdressers over 17 years of providing razor-cutting education. We also pioneer our own color techniques, including hair painting, precision foiling and creative color,” says Nick.

            All of their services are perfected and finished with the ARROJO Product line, alongside the American Wave Hair Care line, which creates soft, natural-looking wave and curl patterns for todays’ texture-conscious client. The system uses editorial hair setting techniques for fashionable looks and encourages wave and curl patterns that are tailored to the characteristics of each person.

Asked what his ultimate goal is for the ARROJO brand moving forward, Nick’s response is simple and a representation of his passion and determination: “To elevate both the level and the perception of the hairdressing craft – and to enjoy the rewards and success of a job well done!”