New On the Block: Elle Salon

by Cara Russell

Elle is open for business in Eastsound Square

Eight years ago, Emma Gajadhar was Emma Grumm, twenty years old, living on Orcas, and wondering what to do next with her life. Her friends knew her for her passion for style, and her outgoing personality.

And one night at a holiday party, Emma was approached by friend Cari Darner, owner of Headspace Salon. Darner told Emma that she thought she should become a hairstylist. “Up until this point, I hadn’t even owned a hairdryer,” Emma told me with a can-you-believe-it tone. Darner suggested that Emma go to Seattle, to study under Christophe Soltane at The Academy of Beauty.

That same night, Emma was offered two Christmas presents, one of which to choose. The first was a travel bag, and the second was a lamp. Unknown to Emma, there was a small bet going, as to which of the two gifts she would choose—the bag if she should leave the island, and the lamp if she should stay. Emma chose the bag, and left for Seattle shortly after.

It has been eight years, and since she left the island, Emma has studied under Soltane as well as Mari Dwyer, a world-class up-do specialist. She also went to Boston to train under Jerel DeFrancesco, at his Salon of Newbury Street, as well as with Zack Mascalo, head of Toni & Guy, in New York. “I chose to head east to get a more well-rounded knowledge of haircuts, and styles, and how they differ from East coast to West coast.

While at the Academy in Seattle, she felt part of a conglomerate culture; and the small town islander in her wanted, not only her own business, but to have a small business. And when Emma’s older sister told her that she was pregnant, Emma immediately moved back to the island with her husband, and began looking to fulfill her business plans.

Within two months, Emma found her salon location, made the renovations, and opened her doors on June 1st . Elle Salon simply means “she” in French. And how appropriate. When asked about the challenges of starting a business, Emma said, “It can be overwhelming, and there are moments where it would be nice to have a nine to five. But I have always been independent and self-motivated with my passions. I pretty much work from 9am to 11pm, just to maintain the business on my own.”

Elle Salon can be found where the old home of Katheryn Taylor Chocolates used to be in Eastsound Village Square. When you step through the door, it is completely transformed, with white walls, polished concrete floors — comfortable, simple and contemporary.

She carries a high-end eco-conscious Italian line of hair products for purchase called Davines, for women, Woody’s for men.

Emma said she has received a lot of support from the other salons on the island, some sending clients her way during the busy summer season. Emma has already taken on styling for weddings, and is currently volunteering her skills for an upcoming play opening at the Grange the end of August.

Shop hours are by appointment only, Tue-Fri 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. She encourages telephone appointments, as she is not always in the shop. To reach Emma at Elle, call her cell 298-2637.