Oh, to be a fly on the wall at an event with Frédéric Fekkai and magazine editor Kate Betts. Fortunately for us, Fashion Week Daily buzzed around last week's "Frédéric Fekkai: L'Art de la Coiffure" event.
I love Fekkai, but I can't say I love the high-priced hairstyle trend he helped kick off. That's why I love this little tidbit:
Betts was quick to comment on the price of Fekkai's products as well as his services, noting that he was "very innovative in marketing" and that he was "the first person to charge $200 for a haircut, which is not expensive now but was astronomical then." Fekkai responded, justifying the price. "We are not offering just services," he countered. "The customer feels that we have their interest at heart. I create products that are very efficient." He cited the huge success of his Overnight Hair Repair (price: $195) as evidence that people are willing to spend money on quality hair products. "Is it a French phenomenon that you raise the price of everything?" Betts asked in jest.
Are we sure it was in jest? Monsieur Fekkai is as talented as he is charming, but thanks to him, lots of city girls now spend $100 for a haircut. (Last year, I walked into the salon, looked at the pricelist, and slunk out feeling cheap.) Would you have had the guts to ask him about his high prices, even in a friendly way?
Hugo Boss
Giorgio Armani
Modalu
If people are willing to spend that kind of money, why not try and sell it. It's just like La Mer, you get what you pay for.
1Has anyone ever tried the Overnight Hair Repair? If so what did you think about it, any change?
2Friend/mother + scissors = nice $0 haircut.
I refuse to pay someone a hundred dollars to trim an inch or two off my hair every few months. Not happening.
3just an FYI- La Mer and Nivea cream are almost identical.
4It's all just hype. Celebs don't pay for their haircuts or pricey creams. It's the suckers like us who think we're getting something special that fork out the money to people like Frédéric.
5Way to go, Bella! No one should be duped into thinking $200 is reasonable for a haircut. I find it hard to believe that any product is bottled magic.
6please...the economy is horrible and ppl have little money to splurge on. If u find the right stylist a cheap haircut can still make you feel valued and cared for. Its the people..not the products.
7his stuff really works but it is really pricy.....and the hair repair price is outrageous!!!! no way am i going to do that!
8i would not spend that much money on a haircut. considering how fast my grows, if i got it cut every 6 weeks like they say you should, i'd spend way too much money. As it is, i actually only get my hair cut 2 or 3 times a year and even then, i try to spend no more than $20 on a cut. thankfully i have a friend who does that, plus my color for a good price. a
nd i agree with another poster - it's usually the celebrities that put these stylists on the map, and they probably don't pay for the service. the recognition they get from celebrities is the greatest PR. considering the celebrities are the ones who could afford to pay for it and yet they don't...one of those dilemmas i'll never understand. it's the rich getting richer.
9I pay $20 for my haircut, and Marie always styles it so beautifully. I would never spend that much on a trim, i'd rather buy a nice pair of shoes! I do want to try a couple of his products though, the dry shampoo and the spray he recently came out with that saves the hair from getting damaged in the sun.
10you wear your hair every day, besides you can get trims from anywhere, just take a bunch of pictures of your hair when you like it. But you want to change it I would really don't mind spending that much
11Allow me to offer some perspective: I live in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, where everything is pricey and income taxes are jaw-droppingly high (40%, at the very least). I typically pay the equivalent of $100 for a haircut at my local salon, which is not considered a whole lot here. However, I rarely leave the salon without forking out a total of $250 since my hair is quite long and I'm addicted to those subtle, pretty highlights:-)
My point is that I live in a country where nothing comes cheap (you'd all faint if I let you in on the local gas prices) and that also applies to haircuts. I do find it strange that haircuts are so ludicrously priced in the US where other comparable services are much cheaper. After all, cutting hair is not rocket science, but it sure made Mr Fekkai a wealthy man, which is probably why he's always seen grinning.
12i don't think that paying more necessarily means getting a better cut. exclusive salons are exclusive towards which stylists they hire.
if a stylist isn't in tune with what you really want - it'll be a bad cut, no matter what the price.
13I think the base pay for a decent hairstylist here is about $40, but with tip it always ends up $50-something. People think I pay a lot, which is crazy today considering how prices have increased over the years, but, if you find a great cheap stylist, all the power to you! I'd rather go less often for a good haircut/style, than basing my cut on the cheap--I just can't afford the prestige or $$ of Fekkai whose name/branding is the 'value'. Your hair is your crown!
14If it's free Fekkai, however, bring it!
15i think $40 is too expensive for a haircut! I'd rather fly to Mexico and get a haircut there + see the place.
16Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.