Gregga LA opened in February 2020, right before the pandemic wreaked havoc on small businesses everywhere. (We're happy to report that the salon made it, and remains open for business today.) Housed in what was originally a water store in the '80s that had been stripped down to a raw concrete space, the 750-square-foot salon holds seven chairs, three shampoo bowls, two dryers, a break room and unlimited creativity. Five stylists work in the salon run by Gregga Prothero, who co-founded and designed the space with her husband Colin. Here, Gregga shares her inspiration for going solo and what we can find inside the four walls.
What inspired you to open your own space?
I think most of us open our own space because we want to create a salon we want to work at. That was the case for me. With my nearly two decades in the industry, I’ve worked with different personalities and types of salons, so I was able to zero in on what I wanted from my salon. I wanted professional and supportive team members, to offer opportunities for more education, to keep evolving careers, and a space more suited to contemporary tastes and activities. I was seeing a lot of good stylists starting to feel bogged down in negative and toxic environments, so the thought of creating a space for hairstylists who want a safe, inclusive, diverse space really motivated me to open my own salon.
What is your background in the beauty industry?
I’ve been experimenting on friends' hair since high school, and officially entered the beauty industry 17 years ago. Since getting my license, I’ve trained with Bumble and Bumble Academy, Toni&Guy and Davines, and taken many classes by amazing hair artists, learning different haircutting techniques, from color theory to placement. The goal was always to start my own salon.
How would you describe the design and ambiance?
Walking into Gregga LA, you’ll feel a warm, welcoming, artsy vibe including soft pops of yellows, creative custom furnishings and charismatic detail.
It’s important to acknowledge the world we live in, namely that of photographing and posting everything on social media, and we designed for that. This starts with exceptional lighting—we replaced all the existing ceiling lights and made a dedicated photo area in the storefront to capture natural light. Next is creating a space that will look fun in photos and allow clients to show off all the hair love they just received. This is achieved through our customized stylist stations. We incorporate arches and waves with varied depths, and, of course, much larger mirrors. My husband Colin is a designer and really helped build a fantastic space.
Which types of services do you offer?
Our services are gender neutral, meaning a "detailed haircut" can be for anyone, and starting prices are the same. We’re known for creating trending looks like vivid and metallic colors, but we also provide services like soft lived-in styles and edgy looks. Some of our clients are a combination of both!
Which products do you stock?
We love Davines products, from the packaging to the variety offered for different texture and hair needs. We also carry hair accessories from CHUNKS, a woman-owned small business that offers well-made artsy, colorful clips, hair claws, barrettes and headbands that work for thin and thick hair.
What makes Gregga LA especially unique?
The decor might be what draws you in, but it’s really how we all interact with each other as a team and with our clients that makes us unique. We support each other professionally and respect boundaries. We make sure our clients feel safe and know they can be as creative as they want with us.