Meet Angelica, founder of Wedding Solutions by Angel, LLC., a woman-owned and -operated business that specializes in creating the perfect looks for any occasion. From hair and makeup to styling photoshoots and refining aesthetics, Weddings Solutions by Angel. is ready to help make your big day anything short of extraordinary. To learn more about their services and what sets this business apart from others, we checked in with her and her team of experts.

What services do you provide?

Our wedding hair and makeup team is ready to travel throughout the delmarva area or to destination weddings for any hair and makeup needs. We are not just limited to weddings—we style proms, engagement shoots, maternity shoots—so you name it, we’re here for you.

Our team of master cosmetologists and makeup artists have years of experience in the field and can make your dream look a reality. We do “photography fittings” for hair and makeup so we capture the perfect look for your special event or big day.

A unique service that sets us apart from others is our “grooming service.” Since we know some grooms (and groomsmen) can be last-minute when planning their wedding cuts, we visit them onsite for haircuts and styling.

What sets your team apart?

We have a patented business and flow from start to finish. We start with a trial, contract, and wedding day itinerary to ensure nothing but the best for our brides and their bridesmaids. Our skilled and detailed bridal coordinator corresponds with the bride from beginning to end.

We provide a team with back-up stylists to ensure the bride and her bridal party are taken care of no matter what, setting us apart the normal salon or individual stylist that markets this concept. COVID-19 and the uncertainty of the world helped us develop this hyper-managed approach.

Our time management helps us handle the largest of bridal parties and our stylists have been evaluated for their skill and technique. We’ve also traveled to numerous wedding venues so we are familiar with the different layouts and know the best strategies to make your photo sessions unique to you.

Tell us about your mission.

 Wedding Solutions by Angel. strives to make your wedding or other special occasion experience a “cut above” the normal salon and spa. On one of the most photographed and important days in a woman’s life, we take pride in knowing from start to finish the bride will be beautiful, confident, and satisfied. We are here to solve your perfect look…. to say, “I do.”

About the Owner:

It’s Angelica’s passion to provide exemplary service which inspired her to create the company, Wedding Solutions by Angel. Angelica’s background consists of 10 years of experience as a master cosmetologist and NFL Superbowl/Probowl cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens. Being in the spotlight and behind the camera herself made her realize there was no room for error in hair and makeup. One of the most important, photographed days in a woman’s life is her wedding day. Our experienced bridal coordinator, Natalie, will walk you through the process from start to finish, from engagement photos and wedding day photos to even maternity photos in the future. Your look will be perfected at your trial and flawless on your special day.

Angelica Windsor

Founder & Owner of Wedding Solutions by Angel, LLC. 

It’s safe to say that 2020 wasn’t a banner year for fashion. Fashion week was a bust, and the best most of us could muster was cozy chic. But this year, we’re planning to make a splash back into the social scene. Our inspiration? Anything bright and airy from our favorite Baltimore boutiques. Here are a few pieces to add to your mood board:

New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year where going all out is expected. For those planning to end the decade with a bang, you’re likely going to coordinate your outfit accordingly. If you’re looking for ideas on how to update a classic sequin look, or simply need inspiration for going outside your comfort zone with a brand new trend, we’ve got you covered with our top five New Year’s Eve trends.

SEQUINS

If you’re sequin-obsessed, this traditional New Year’s Eve look is right up your alley. One of the top trends of this winter, you’re sure to find dresses, jumpsuits, and even men’s jackets covered in the glittering decals.

Where to buy: Poppy and Stella, Brightside Boutique, Hunting Ground, Forward Moda

BLAZER

Nothing says class quite like a tailored blazer. A perfect piece for those headed to a more formal cocktail event, a blazer is an easy way to elevate your look. Try pairing with a button-down or a turtleneck for a timeless ensemble. Feeling adventurous? Go for a statement blazer in rich textures such as velvet or silk.

Where to buy: Raina Dawn, Sixteen Tons, Keeper’s Vintage, A Style Studio

SILK

Speaking of—chances are your holiday best includes something soft and silky. As silk slip dresses and midi skirts continue to transcend through the seasons, you’re bound to have something already in your closet to dress up for the evening. Grab your favorite silk dress and top with a cozy sweater to ring in the New Year comfortable and chic.

Where to buy: Raina Dawn, Hunting Ground, Brightside Boutique, South Moon Under

FULL-SET

Making a fashion statement doesn’t always have to mean vibrant patterns. A simple jumpsuit or a matching suit set will appear well put together regardless of color or texture. Pulling together separate pieces from your wardrobe for a head-to-toe monochromatic look will also do the trick.

Where to buy: Doubledutch Boutique, Hunting Ground, Forward Moda, Sassanova

VELVET

Warm and elegant, velvet is a winter holiday staple. This season you can find full suits, a plethora of dress styles, and even accessories made in this seasonal texture. Whether a deep red, lush green or a dazzling royal blue, velvet makes any wardrobe piece look sophisticated and romantic.

Where to buy: Keeper’s Vintage, Doubledutch Boutique, Bottle of Bread, South Moon Under

To better visualize these trends, check out our Pinterest board curated with more outfit inspo:

Attention, menswear lovers! Fall is here, and you know what that means: a fresh seasonal style guide. Stay hip with the trending styles and take note of these latest looks from your favorite local shops.

New York City might be America’s fashion capital, but Baltimore has quite the fashion-forward history itself. This October, delve into the archives of the Maryland Historical Society with Spectrum of Fashion: Celebrating Maryland’s Style. And for a little sneak-peek into the new exhibit, here’s a timeline of trendsetting styles from local icons and designers.

Street Style
1925

Lavish with velvet and fur trim, this coat was sold at Hutzler’s, the iconic downtown Baltimore department store in operation from 1858 to 1990. Not only did Hutzler’s pave the way for future department stores, they also brought luxury fashions from Europe to Baltimore at an American price.

Ready-to-Wear
1945

Hailing from Frederick, designer Claire McCardell helped define modern American fashion. Transitioning away from corseted waists and structured bodices, her “monastic” dress (this one in wool plaid and pleats) was made to be a versatile day-to-night look that would flatter most body types.

Power Suit
1960

A nationally recognized reporter at the Baltimore Sun, a producer, director, and writer of the TV series The Port That Built a City, and a Maryland congresswoman from 1985-1995, Helen Delich Bentley affirmed the strength of the “power suit” when wearing this wool outfit.

Crop Top

1970

Wallis Simpson may have been a sophisticated duchess, but that didn’t stop her from staying hip to the latest fashions, as evidenced by her vibrant silk and linen set—a classic look of the ’70s. And the story goes, Simpson had it made when she was 73 years old.

Bare Shoulder
2009

In one of his earliest designs, local designer Bishme Cromartie appears to have taken all of the trends we loved from the early 2000s and made them timeless. Who knew that ruffled skirts and a one-shoulder sleeve could come together so elegantly?

Color Block
2018

Baltimore’s got a knack for being home to great designers, and Christian Siriano is a prime example. Pairing red and fuchsia and topping it with a shoulder cape? Brilliant! It’s no surprise that Siriano has stunned the red carpet for over a decade.

Artscape is known for many things: tasty street food, live music, local vendors, eye-catching installations, and, of course, outfits that are works of art themselves. Even this year’s heat wave couldn’t stop some from showing up in striking style from head to toe. We scoured Baltimore’s favorite arts festival for this year’s most standout looks, and we weren’t disappointed. Here are some of our favorites:

Alyssa Forsythe

“I have so many friends who make so much cool art and to be able to come to one place and see it displayed in so many different ways is one of my favorite things about this city.”

Tyler Phillips, 29

“It’s very hot outside and kilts are a lot more breathable than jeans, which is what I usually wear. All I ever wear in my spare time are band shirts. TWRP is a fun band. They actually played here at Artscape in 2015, it was their first show in the States—they’re from Canada. But this is just the first shirt that I pulled out of my wardrobe this morning. I thought ‘It’s sleeveless, It’ll be great!'”

Johnnie Johnson, 22

“I dress like this on a usual basis. I love colorful things! My favorite color used to be purple but it’s grown from there and now I just love rainbow.”

Paige Davis and Michael Raso

“Penn Station and the shops along Charles Street have been the most fun areas to photograph at Artscape, but we actually just started, so we don’t know all of the great spots yet. We’re looking for the cars that are covered with art.”

Brooks Kossover, 26

“These sunglasses are from Bottle of Bread and the shorts I got at Get Shredded Vintage.”

Bad hair days are crummy enough, but what about bad hair months? Or bad hair decades? (Okay, in the ’80s, we all had a bad hair decade). That’s why it’s so important to have a good hairstylist. “A bad haircut can just be devastating!” laughs (the always perfectly coifed) psychotherapist Meadowlark Washington, now a devoted client of DK Salon. “Who hasn’t been traumatized by a bad haircut?”Well, no one. (Except maybe Michael Jordan.) Conversely, is there any quicker way to make a woman’s day than to compliment her hair? Of course, finding a good hairstylist is just half the battle. You also want a salon that hits all the right notes—whether it be a charmingly low-key boutique or a bustling hair factory. So we scoured the region, searching for the salons that offer the tops in service, atmosphere, and—above all else—quality. Because we believe it is everyone’s right to look in the mirror, pause admiringly, and say, “Hello, gorgeous!”

Mane Events

Big salons that serve up “the works”!

About Faces Day Spa & Salon, The Shops at Kenilworth, 410-828-8666, www.aboutfacesdayspa.com

Don’t let the location fool you. With its mocha and vanilla Neo-classical décor, Greek columns, and cushy furniture, About Faces is a finely tuned beauty machine that just happens to be housed in a mall. There’s a mammoth retail boutique in the front with all the top-of-the-line hair products imaginable, plus a bevy of invigorating bath potions and custom makeup. In the next room, the hair stations buzz with activity as a whopping 30 stylists (clad in chic all-black uniforms) mill about. About Faces’ artistic team can perform any miracle including extensions, Bio-Ionic Hair Straightening, formal hairstyling, perms, curl relaxers, and more. There is a separate color room and several nail spa areas complete with luxurious black leather recliners. Next, step into the darkened corridors of the “Spa” which offers massage, hydrotherapy, seaweed body masques, et al and even has its own concierge. You’ll experience the wafting scent of essential oils and aromatherapy candles and the soft purring of noise machines, all designed to keep guests in a dream-like state. (Be sure to check 0ut About Faces’ second location next to the Maryland Athletic Club in Timonium. 410-560-6600.)

Morgan Gerard Salon & Spa, 101 Annapolis Street, 410-263-1812

Morgan Gerard, named for salon owners Todd Morgan August and Michael Gerard Curry, is known as the chi chi salon in Annapolis. “It’s a good reputation to have,” Curry says, “but we don’t want anyone to feel intimidated. Everyone is welcome.” Renowned for its beauty treatments (you can take your pick from body therapies, massages, and makeup consultations) and consummate skill with hair, Morgan Gerard is a great place to visit if you want to be pampered. Clients flock from far and wide to put their locks into the hands of one of the salon’s 16 stylists. The salon’s philosophy of hair? It’s not about being a slave to trends, it’s about finding the right look for each individual client. Morgan Gerard accommodates tons of clients simultaneously, a necessity because of the salon’s popularity. Clearly, the word has gotten out about this first-rate, full-spa experience.

Paul’s Salon & Day Spa, 1809 Reisterstown Road, Suite 116, 410-602-0888, www.paulsss.com

Just walk into Paul’s Salon & Day Spa and you’ll feel the tension melt away. That, of course, is no accident. Owner Paul Skotarczak, a former monk, has studied the art of Zen and he strives to achieve a perfect balance between inner and outer beauty. From the trickling waterfall sculpture that greets you at the door, to the salon’s overall cream-and-gold-hued design, Paul’s was carefully designed to be a sensory sanctuary. One of the largest spas in the county—and one of the few salons authorized to sell the celebrated Kerastase line of hair products—Paul’s features the usual menu of hair and color services plus a full range of spa offerings, including Darphin face and body treatments, stone massages, foot reflexology, and the unbelievably luxurious “Vichy” showers. And through it all, there is the infectiously cheerful Paul, the sort of pied piper of salon service.

“Paul is fun,” says former NBC executive Amy Baker. “He’s always got great stories to tell, but he’s never gossipy. And people always tell me they love my hair—which for me is amazing!”

Robert Andrew: The Salon & Spa, 1328 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, 410-721-3533, www.robertandrew.com

Yes, Gambrills, Maryland is a little bit off the Baltimore magazine radar (it’s between Laurel and Annapolis), but we couldn’t resist extolling the virtues of this luxurious, state-of-the-art salon and day spa. Designed to look like a Tuscan street—complete with a large fountain, beautiful murals, aged tile, cobalt blue “sky” accents, a grand staircase, and faux balconies—the 22,000 square-foot salon (the largest in the mid-Atlantic region) is simply breathtaking. Since opening in July of 2002, many Baltimore women have discovered Robert Andrew, both as a special-occasion getaway and even as their regular salon and spa. Robert Andrew has won many national and regional awards (Salon Magazine named it one of the top 200 salons in the country). It’s almost needless to say that a salon this big offers the works: From hair care, to bridal services, to massage, body treatment, and hydrotherapy. Yes, they’re a little pricey, but hey, you’re worth it.

Salon by Debbie Day Spa, 8740 Belair Road, Perry Hall, 410-256-3400

It’s not that Debbie Nazelrod—a 25-year veteran of the salon industry—necessarily wanted to expand the salon she opened in a Perry Hall strip mall three years ago. It’s more like she had to. “Within three months, it was clear that we needed more space,” she says. So she set up a separate day spa in the store two doors down. But customer demand was so great, laments Debbie, “within three months, we were out of space there, too!” The only solution? To open yet another salon, a few miles away on The Avenue at White Marsh. That salon is scheduled to open later this month. Of course, it’s easy to see why customers have come to rely on the creative Debbie and her enthusiastic staff. The hair studio has a funky, quirky, jungle-woman theme, with wicker and leopard-spotted chairs and tiger-striped smocks for the stylists. They do all the traditional services, and a few new ones, too—including the Rusk thermal straightening technique (similar to the Japanese straightening—see sidebar). Two doors down, Debbie really lets her imagination run wild. Each separate treatment room is named for a tropical island (St. Lucia, Key West, San Juan, etc.) and is decorated accordingly. St. Croix, for example, has a mural on the wall that overlooks the ocean. The Vichy shower room is called—what else?—”Rain Forest.” All rooms have candles, heated beds, muted music, and swooping ceiling curtains, to give it that island getaway feel. “I just want to give my customers that warm, wonderful, fuzzy feeling,” says Debbie.

Zibazz Hair Studio, 9199 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, 410-356-2234

While Mt. Washington may be the Mecca of fine salons in the city, the Reisterstown Road corridor just north of Pikesville seems to have cornered the well-coifed county set. And Zibazz Hair Studio, tucked amidst business offices and restaurants in the Valley Village Professional Building, is one of the area’s mainstays. “I work with women,” says personal trainer Nancy Asch. “We talk about hair and makeup. And Zibazz is where women are going.” It’s no wonder. Zibazz offers all the major services, along with waxing, facials, manicures, pedicures, makeup, and skin care in the adjoining Studio of Make-up, owned by makeup artist Karen Weiner. “Karen is first-class,” says longtime client Dorothy Rosenberg. “She’s genuine and wonderful. She does a truly great job.” Considering its size (there are 10 full-time, independent stylists) Zibazz remains tranquil. The blonde wood floors, muted cream walls, and streaming natural light soothes; the private stations, made up of wall-to-ceiling mirrors and wide mahogany cabinets, guarantee that not everyone can see your foil-filled hair or hear the private convo between you and your stylist. Zibazz is currently undergoing a cosmetic facelift—we’ve been assured that the makeover will be finished by press time—but even when surrounded by construction, there is a lot to love about Zibazz.

Cutting Edge

Fashion forward salons for folks who
follow trends

Bella! of Canton, 2809 Boston Street, 410-327-7872

Sassy! That’s the word that comes to mind when describing this funky little hair shop with its sunny disposition and waterfront view. Located in a prime spot in Tindeco Wharf in Canton, Bella! is quickly making a name for itself among those “in the know.” This three-person salon (plus one manicurist) is headed by owner Kristen Chandler, in-house hottie Jonas Grimm (who apprenticed under legendary New York stylist, Garren), and the very hip Lisa Jones-Butz (who you might have seen on Fox 45 doing morning makeovers). At Bella!, you can expect high quality hair care featuring Wella and Actyva products, cutting-edge hair cuts with all the trimmings, plus nail care. Bella has also been perfecting their Bio Ionic Japanese Hair Straightening technique.

“I go to Lisa Jones-Butz,” reports news anchor Sally Thorner, who adds that fans used to be very critical of her hair. Now she gets raves. “The kind of call I get now is: ‘who does your hair?'” she says happily. Other clients rave about Jonas’s ability to give heavenly head massages and bone-straight blow-outs. “All I can say is, ‘Oh my God!'” gushes school teacher Kathy Jakubiak, a loyal client who braves the 40-minute drive from Fallston to Canton to go to Jonas. Wow, those must be some head massages.

Glow Salon Day Spa Café, 2603 Housley Road, Annapolis, 410-571-6601, www.glowsalon.com

Part hipster club, part spa, part coffee house, Glow Salon has really brought a touch of L.A. cool to Annapolis. “Fashion evolves and so do we!” exclaims Cristina Sevin, perhaps explaining how she—along with husband PT and partners Steven and Kelly Fisher—has turned Glow into an Annapolis hotspot. This full service salon—now celebrating its third year—has a dreamy spa, painted hot pink and purple (where you can indulge in “Neo Nirvana” aromatherapy treatments, hot stone massage, or “Lemon Drop” pedicures), an in-house board certified plastic surgeon who will Botox you back to life, and hairstylists who can do magic with dreadlocks (mostly popular with the college crowd), Japanese hair straightening, and hair extensions (along with other, more traditional services). A really cool boutique offers up the latest in products like Bumble & Bumble, Kerastase, and John Sahag. Another temptation are the luscious lotions by Get Fresh and makeup by Dollface. “We wanted to have our clients feel like they were someplace exciting and energetic, more urban than suburban,” says Sevin. Mission accomplished.

Kumbyah, 824 W. 36th Street, 410-235-3663

Being able to spot a great hair trend before everyone else (remember the Aniston?) is an excellent trait to have in a stylist. And Sue Ebert, owner of Kumbyah, has been styling ahead-of-the-curve hipsters for nearly 20 years. Ebert describes her two-year-old salon, located in the now hotter-than-ever Hampden, as “funky eclectic” and the space is kitschy, with its animal prints, beaded curtains, and playful décor. Marvin Gaye plays on the radio and the smell of candles envelops you as you walk in the door. The four-chair salon also has a charming sideroom filled with vintage clothes, jewelry, artwork, and bric-a-brac for sale. But Ebert and her other stylist, Jenn Nasuta, are serious hair pros. Kumbyah carries the newest products lines (including the exciting Ouidad curly-hair line) and offers many of the services of larger spas in a much smaller space. They even have massages in a back room that’s adorned with billowy white fabric, star-shaped lanterns, and ruby-colored walls. Ebert, who has also been recognized for her excellent work on bridal headpieces and updos, says her clients “come here to decompress.” They adore Kumbyah, she continues, “because it is a haven away from mass production where clients truly get one-on-one attention.”

Nappy By Nature, 213 W. Read Street, 410-669-1675

When it comes to “natural” haircare for African-Americans, the leader of the pack is Nappy By Nature. This funky bohemian-style shop with its swirly yellow stucco walls, burnt orange accents, and natural wood floors makes its home in a two-story brownstone in Mt. Vernon. Catering to the growing trend in “natural” haircare by African-Americans, the salon offers everything from corn rows, Nubian twists, Bantu knots, to “locs” (their term for dreadlocks). Services include a myriad of styling methods, loc maintenance, and treatments geared to maintaining unprocessed hair.

“I never look at someone’s work and do the same thing,” explains expert braider Cory Petitt. “You always want to flip it and make it your own.” He should know, he’s been hired as the master corn row man for HBO’s The Wire and braided Lynn Whittfield’s hair on Head of State, the Chris Rock movie which filmed here last summer. The crowd is largely urban, but not exclusively so. “We get the Fresh Fields, Trader Joe’s type of clientele too,” says stylist Amira. “We cater to all ethnicities.” Look for owner Troy Hendricks to open a brand-new, enlarged space in the coming months called Afrodisiacs.

Uno Salon & Spa, Greenspring Station, 10751 Falls Road, 410-821-9080

You could say that Unal “Uno” Tuluoglu, owner of both the new Uno salon in Greenspring and the original space in Pikesville, is quite the lady’s man. No, not that kind of lady’s man. This Turkish native with his long dark locks and thick accent, simply has a way with women’s hair. “I work by feeling the hair,” he explains. His new digs boast a cool receptionist area with a glass façade and edgy display units filled with Bed Head, Alterna, and Rusk product lines. One interior wall is painted a tangy terra-cotta shade against blond wooden floors, with trendy black leather stools and rosewood stations, accented in stainless steel. Arched windows allow for an airy environment. There’s a full range of color services using Schwarzkopf, plus the Shinbi Japanese Hair Straightening system, and hair extensions. On top of their hair service, Uno offers European facials and anti-oxidant treatments. Dolling up may not be cheap, but at least at Uno, it’s served with a sexy accent.

Intimate Escapes

Great salons in small packages

Atelier, 600 Wyndhurst Avenue, 410-464-9500

Off the beaten path, in leafy Roland Park, is Atelier salon and spa. Here, there is nothing loud or trendy: Atelier’s soft mauvey decor and quiet atmosphere create a little barrier between you and the hustle and bustle of nearby downtown. Atelier is a place to unwind and pamper yourself. Laurie Glassner, VP of Louis Mazor Inc, has been going to stylist Theresa Chagouris for at least 10 years and she says the new age vibe suits her perfectly. “When I go in, I like the haircut, without the pretension,” she explains. Atelier recently expanded into the adjoining office space and their soothing new spa rooms—dimly lit and minimalistic—are consistent with the salon’s overall aesthetic. Choose from a variety of massages, body treatments, facials, waxing, or hair helpers (ask about their Moroccan conditioning treatment) before getting trimmed by a member of the expert staff.

Edward Amato Salon, 5722 Falls Road, 410-323-2222

Edward Amato exclusively carries the full line of Aveda products and the salon reflects Aveda’s aesthetic of “connecting beauty, environment, and well-being.” Upon entering the space, you can’t help but succumb to its serene vibe. Taupe stucco walls and ivy-kissed windows set off the enormous hanging mirrors that designate the stylist’s stations in the downstairs studio. Upstairs, there are additional rooms for cuts and color and nooks for facials and massages. There are seven stylists on staff and the salon is (blessedly!) open seven days a week. Edward Amato caters to both stylish 20-somethings and ladies-who-lunch. The secret, according to co-owner Laura Sweeney, is word of mouth. “We’ve never done ads, really. Our stylists’ work speaks for itself.” Indeed, as we left we overheard a first-time customer gushing about her new cut. “I didn’t know what I wanted when I came in, but I am so happy with the result. I’m coming back. And I’m bringing my sister.” High praise, indeed.

Hair Alexander, 1621 Sulgrave Avenue, 410-542-6768

Known as chemical relaxation experts, Hair Alexander prides itself in its quick and professional service. The small “boutique” salon with its black and white checkered floor, mellow jazz tunes, and classic ambience has been around for 15 years. The dynamic husband and wife duo of Jeffrey and Mia Alexander, both licensed senior cosmetologists, are the sole proprietors and stylists. Their novel approach of tag-teaming allows for “a little more control as to how we schedule and that’s based on the cooperation of our clientele,” explains Jeffrey. Women in the African-American community have notoriously had to deal with excessive stays at the salon (average 5-6 hours). Thankfully, the wait here averages a mere two hours for a relaxer, set, and cut.

“Do I love Hair Alexander?” says Tanya Black, managing editor at WJZ television. “That’s an understatement. I love and adore them!”

Both Jeffrey and Mia perform sodium hydroxide relaxers, color processes, style and cut. There are no nail services or facials, just good old fashioned haircare. Maybe that’s why they do it so well.

Indulgence, 6245 Falls Road, 410-321-1711

The Indulgence hair salon fills the first floor of an unassuming two-story white house off of Falls Road. Owner and stylist Natercia Jackson likes her clients to feel “at ease” when they step into her salon—and it shows. The space is tranquil and meditative—you’ll notice the crystals and candles as soon as you step in the door. In operation since 1987, Indulgence caters to a chic professional clientele with services that run the gamut from highlights and relaxing to manicures, makeup, and tanning. It’s comfortable but pretty, with hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and stone accents. There are seven full-time stylists and all attend regular in-house seminars to stay on top of color and cut trends. You can also pick up a beautiful bauble (jewelry cases surround the reception area and feature works by local artists) or visit the upstairs Stars Esthetics Spa, a full-service business (with enticing packages titled “Brilliance” and “Lustrous”) if you really need an escape.

James Bryan Salon & Spa, 8012 Bellona Avenue, Ruxton, 410-828-7111

Did you catch yourself admiring Kendel Ehrlich’s hair and makeup at her husband’s inauguration? You might be surprised to find out where she got her sleek look. Not some large, chi chi salon in Annapolis or D.C., but the quiet, tucked away James Bryan Salon in Ruxton.

“We are the best kept secret in Maryland!” says co-owner Tricia Bernstein of the full-service salon that she and her partner, James B. Machniak, opened three years ago. The partners always perceived their salon as an antidote to the large, cold, modern salons that gained prominence in the ’80s. “We wanted it to be warm, not sterile,” explains Bernstein. As a result, James Bryan has a gold-hued, earthy feel, with faux-fresco walls and galvanized copper floors (all hand-painted by local artist Scott Steward). They offer all the usual hair services—Machniak trained with Bumble & Bumble in New York—plus manicures, pedicures, wig styling, and makeup. And since Bernstein is a paramedical esthetician (her background is in plastic surgery), the salon is equipped to do all sorts of advanced chemical peels and facials. “We’re all about personal service at this salon,” says Bernstein. “We want our customers to be completely satisfied.”

The Salon At Mays Chapel, 12232 Tullamore Road, Timonium, 410-628-4247

A nice change of pace from some of the colder, harder-edged salons around town, The Salon at Mays Chapel- is best described as country chic. A vintage-looking American flag hangs proudly above the front entrance, while an antique church bench stands guard in the waiting area. An assortment of antique dressers serve as styling stations and women get their nails done over long antique sewing tables. Hip lines like Alterna, Big Sexy, Graham Webb, and Biolage are displayed in chippy architectural remnants or large antique armoires. Eleven stylists, two estheticians, and one cosmetologist offer up the works: highlights, nails, skincare, waxing, and even massages.

“We have a Northern Baltimore County clientele,” says stylist Michelle Sheridan-Brunner, who co-owns the salon with husband Michael Brunner. Case in point, Katie O’Malley—who grew up in Baltimore County—is a longtime customer. “I’ve been going there for about six years,” O’Malley says. “I like to look natural. Michelle has a good sense of the type of hair she’s dealing with. She’s really good with color.” Other high-profile patrons include Debbie and Matt Stover, Baltimore County Police Sgt. Vickie Warehime, and news anchor Sally Thorner, who comes for Fanny’s facials. What can we say? This quaint little salon packs a mean punch.

Signature Hair Design, 10132 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, 410-750-2200

Owners Skip and Bobbie Siperko wanted their upscale Howard County salon to “be big enough to provide all of the typical salon services, but not feel like a factory.” They’ve succeeded. Their pretty little studio— which offers everything from facials to waxing and massage—is pristine and calming, with grey-hued walls, freestanding wrought-iron mirrors, and subtle floral arrangements. “It’s classy but comfortable,” sums up Bobbie. The 14 stylists at Signature may be some of the best-trained in the area. A few days before our visit, renowned hair guru Louis Alvarez (who has clipped mega-stars like Jennifer Lopez) held a seminar at Signature and Skip tells us that his staff regularly trains at the Redken School in New York. Like many salons, Signature counts color work as their specialty, and—if it’s any indication—many of the stylists sport fantastically-hued (and styled) locks. “You live and die by your reputation in this business,” Skip explains. From the looks of it, this little oasis is thriving.

Hall of Fame

The most beloved salons in the region—and with good reason!

Chas, 735 S. Hanover Street, 410-625-2427

What is it with these one-named hair dudes? Chas. Corbin. Uno. Engelbert. (Okay, we made that last one up.) Whatever the case, it takes a big personality to pull off one-name fame and Chas is definitely up to the challenge. For over 30 years, he’s been working his magic on Baltimore coifs, and he’s developed a fiercely loyal following. “I just love the way he moves around the chair and steps back and admires his work,” says Sharon Bass, the wife of WJZ anchor Marty Bass. “He makes you feel really special. For that hour, you are solely his.” Chas has always been something of a revolutionary when it comes to hair—he was among the first to coax men away from barber shops and into salons—and his 12-year-old, full-service Federal Hill salon is no exception. Although Chas has done the big, trendy, urban-style salon, his latest location is cozy, homey, and friendly—but still chic. Just like Chas, himself.

Corbin Salon at the Colonnade, 4 W. University Parkway, 410-662-8700

Corbin Salon has the sleek minimalistic look of a posh New York boutique hotel. “I like cleanliness,” says Corbin. “Clutter creates a barrier between you and the client.” Instead, there is spare pale grey space with lots of natural light, giant oval mirrors suspended above oval stainless steel stations, and sleek black leather chairs against a stainless steel wall. The only “organic” touches are large ball-shaped topiaries placed here and there. Clients can expect all the top-of-the line services, plus the new Yuko Japanese hair straightening method and amenities like Bumble & Bumble products, vanilla-infused water for sipping, and music to mellow out to by Buddha Bar. A celebrity stylist in his own right, Corbin has coifed the heads of such glitterati as the Food Network’s Sandra Pinkney, artist Martha Macks, and philanthropist Suzi Cordish, to name a few. He was chosen by E!’s Fashion Emergency as the local makeover king. He’s even on a first name basis with Oprah! (What do they discuss? How overrated last names are?). But people come to Corbin for his touch, his charisma, and his expert training at the prestigious Vidal Sassoon school in London. “I call him Corbin the Great! He’s the best!” raves Sandy Hillman, a partner at Trahan, Burden & Charles. “You walk out looking fabulous!” beams Allison Parker, a VP at The Cordish Company. What else is there?

DK Salon, 6080 Falls Road, 410-377-4300

Say it: “DK Salon.” OK, now, again: “DK Salon.” Get used to it. This is the mantra that fell from the lips of many of our city’s most fabulous when asked who they trust to perfect their color, cuts, and blowouts. “They do the best blowouts in Baltimore,” gushes Ruxton resident Nathalie Beatty. Located in the quiet Lake Falls Village shopping center, a stone’s throw past the hair epicenter that is Mt. Washington, DK Salon provides a sanctuary for big wig TV personalities and politicos who, in the words of co-owner Koula Savvakis, “want their private time.” But rest assured that, celeb or not, the staff at DK knows how to give all of their patrons the star treatment. Wine, cookies, and other tasty treats are offered immediately upon arrival. They do their best to cater to professional men and women’s schedules, opening extra early on Mondays (6:30 am) and have even opened up the salon on days off for special patrons. DK offers up the standard list of trendy salon fare—nails, waxing, massage, and facials of numerous persuasions—but Savvakis insists that their claim to fame is cut and color. She and her sister Denise Klicos (co-owner, stylist, and salon namesake) send their stylists to the Sassoon Salon in NY. And, with apologies to Sassoon: At DK Salon, if you don’t look beautiful, they don’t look beautiful!

Giuseppe’s Hair Studio, 2616 Taylor Avenue, 410-665-4490, www.giuseppeshairstudio.com

Some salons are so intimidating, you feel like you need to get a haircut before your appointment. Not so with Giuseppe’s Hair Studio. Since 1981, Italian born owner Giuseppe Castellano has strived to offer a welcoming, laid back respite for its loyal customers. The comfy pinky-beige décor is unintimidating and the talented staff—many of whom have worked at Giuseppe’s for over a decade—is friendly and accessible. Giuseppe’s offers all the basics plus excellent facials, bridal services, and great nail services by Pasqua.

“Success in this service relies on repeated visits to establish a relationship of expectations combined with reality,” says stylist Dean Krapf. As well as being a stylist at Giuseppe’s for 20 years, Dean is also an established hair and makeup artist for print and television. Some of his celebrity encounters include cutting Benjamin Bratt’s locks, dolling up supermodel Molly Simms, and styling ER’s Michael Michelle. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to get the full treatment at Giuseppe’s. It’s kinda like home, but with more amenities.

La Clinica Salon & Day Spa, 1624 York Road, Lutherville, 410-828-7464

In every sense of the phrase, La Clinica is a family affair. Start with the owners: the ageless Joan Zulanch and her daughter, Jayne Gary. Then, extend that to the staff, many of whom have worked at the salon for over 20 years. Add to that, La Clinica’s loyal customers, who just keep coming back again and again. It’s no wonder the salon is so successful. Who wouldn’t want to be embraced by this nurturing clan? “I just enjoy going there and being taken care of!” praises Elaine Pevenstein, a special assistant to Governor Ehrlich. “I can’t say enough about the people—they are warm and professional.” La Clinica takes its beauty seriously: The estheticians wear white, almost clinical smocks, the spa rooms are lit and decorated with discretion, and the salon’s literature reminds you to turn off your cell phone before entering the premises (you go, girls!). After focusing almost exclusively on electrolysis and skin care, La Clinica has expanded its services to include hair, nails, waxing, and massage. Six years ago, they bought out the adjacent hair salon and today, they are completely remodeling it with hardwood floors, back-to-back stations, decorative glass panels, and halogen lights (the work is slated to be finished by the end of the month). “It’s going to look gorgeous!” gushes Gary. Then she pauses, reflecting on the expense and effort: “It better.”

Patrick’s Hair Design, 9194 Red Branch Road, Columbia, 410-730-1700

We’re definitely noticing a trend toward smaller boutique salons. And if that’s your thing, Patrick’s is not for you. This place is big, contemporary, bustling—in a word, a scene (the receptionist even has a microphone to help direct traffic). But don’t let the size fool you. The folks at Patrick’s are here to pamper you—whether it be with a cut and color, bridal styling, or any of the various spa services they offer, including aroma therapy, body wraps, and manicures. Patrick’s has a reputation for attracting the best stylists and the most discerning clientele. After 20 years in the business, when it comes to Columbia hair salons, there’s Patrick’s, and then there’s everybody else.

Studio 1612, 1612 Kelly Avenue and 1501 Sulgrave Avenue, 410-664-3800/410-664-3010

You could say we’re showing favoritism by picking the salon that almost of half the women of Baltimore magazine go to. But then again, it’s our job to assess the best that Baltimore has to offer—and we choose Studio 1612. Why? In a word: quality. Spend a few minutes at either of Studio 1612’s two Mt. Washington locations, and you’ll see a parade of fabulous hair cuts, sported by some of Baltimore’s most chic and style-conscious women. Studio 1612 can do it all—from streamline conservative to wild and funky to drop-dead glamour. Simply put, this is one talented team of stylists, starting with the delightful owners, Karen Bialozynski and Judy Weidel, extending to the rest of the staff (in-house favorites are Joanne, Lesley, and Marcus), and capped off by the peerless Gabrielle Hart (check out her work on our cover girl). Of course, we’re not the only ones who sing Studio 1612’s praises. “I frequently change hair styles,” says Susan Snyder, the VP of Diversions, a cultural arts and travel group. “And no matter what I want to do, they’re able to do it!”

Honorable Mentions

Denise Christenson Design, 410-327-1300: Come hang with hair diva Denise Christenson, who has opened this welcoming boutique salon in Fells Point.

The Escape Day Spa, 410-602-1108: The well-heeled Pikesville crowd frequents Escape for the newest trends (like Japanese hair straightening), fabulous color, a facial, and some light shopping (jewelry, Mano Swartz minks, and bags) before picking up dinner at nearby Sutton Place Gourmet.

Sima’s, 410-276-7462: Owner Sima Frazier has been dubbed the “curly hair expert” by those who flock to her tiny Canton shop.

Starz Stage Salon, 410-318-8333: Don’t let the modest digs on Reisterstown Road fool you, co-owner Kalixto, a.k.a. Kal, is often hired to transform the locks of high-profile African-American women like rapper Lil’ Mo or TV personality Sade Baderinwa.

The Next Wave

by Pascale Lemaire

Ever wonder how celebrities like Chelsea Clinton and Nicole Kidman tame their wiry manes? We first heard about the revolutionary Japanese hair straightening process last summer. At the time, it was mostly available at high-end salons in New York and L.A. like Frédéric Fekkai. But today, this chemical straightener—an intensive thermal treatment which will render your hair silky, pin straight, and super shiny for up to eight months—has taken Baltimore by storm (and is available at most full-service salons). It’s a dream come true for women who have struggled with unmanageable curls. But the process does not come without drawbacks. For starters, the price: Get ready to plunk down between $400 and $800 depending on your hair’s length and condition.

Also, the process is lengthy. You should expect it to take anywhere from four to six hours. The hair is first washed of all products, dried, then washed again with a pre-treatment. “You’re breaking bonds”, explains Kristen Chandler, owner of Bella! Salon. Next the thermal solution is applied and will stay in the hair about 30 minutes, depending on hair texture. A good stylist will check the hair by knotting it to see if the hair will slip out. This helps to determine the how straight the hair has become. Then it’s back to washing and then drying and finishing off piece by piece, adding heat with a flat iron. But it’s not over yet! There’s still another round of neutralizer, more washing, and blow drying. After all the waiting and primping, you
should look like a movie star with swishy, shiny, silky-straight hair.

But for some women, the end of the process is the beginning of the nightmare.

“If your hair is not in great shape,
stay away!” moans a Glyndon woman who chooses to remain anonymous. After having the procedure done at a local salon, her hair fell out and she ended up having to cut it off.

“You should always get a consultation before undertaking this,” agrees Uno Tuluoglu, who has been using the Liscio system by Shinbi International at his eponymous salon for a year. Virgin hair—no sodium hydroxide chemicals, no bleaching, no color—is the ideal candidate. But good luck finding a contemporary woman who has
never had a chemical process done. Still, even if your hair has been chemically treated, that doesn’t mean you can’t get it straightened. It is crucial to trust your stylist and to make sure the salon has a reputable track record and practical experience under its belt.

The most prevalent brands on the market are Bio Ionic, Liscio by Shinbi International, Yuko System Repair, and Rusk’s Thermal Str8. All stylists must be trained (usually taking a two day education class) and accredited before being able to do the procedure.

Once the process is done, it is wise to “protect your investment,” advises Corbin, owner of Corbin Salon at the Colonnade. Clients must be diligent about following directions like no washing of your hair for 48 to 72 hours afterwards. Also, it’s imperative to use the proper high grade conditioners and products recommended in order to make your straightening last.

Despite a few horror stories, many women are thrilled with the results.

“The texture of my hair is different,” raves Mary Carole Curran (Joe’s daughter and Katie O’Malley’s sister), who recently had the Rusk treatment done at The Salon at Mays Chapel. “I almost feel like I have my son’s hair on my head. And he’s 6 years old!”

Shop Boys

By Curt Iseli

Has the salon backlash begun? Just when it was totally safe for a guy to go to a beauty salon (and even admit to it!), more and more of today’s younger generation are seeking out the somewhat antiquated haven of barbershops. The red-white-and-blue-striped poles have never stopped spinning, so why the sudden resurgence in their popularity?

A visit to Baynesville Barber Shop in Parkville (colloquially known as “Stan’s”) offers some answers. It’s a far cry from the impersonal racks of fashion magazines and styling products at some salons. Instead, you will be greeted by the laid-back familiarity and bonhomie that seems indigenous to any neighborhood clip joint. From the pleasantly worn leather art deco chairs to the musky smell of the barber soap, these shops have a comforting timelessness about them that makes anyone with a sense of humor or, at the very least, a grasp of the local weather feel right at home.

“Give me two hours to swap some stories and a big heavy old barber chair,” comments 24-year-old shop customer Dustin Jones, an internet technology engineer. “There’s nothing like the feel and smell of a
real barbershop.”

But the chatter isn’t the only thing drawing the new group of loyalists through the shop doors. For some it is simply a matter of style. Across town at Tom’s Barber Shop in Highlandtown, barber John Kalbskopf offers his insight as he snaps an apron around the neck of a second-generation customer.

“In the seventies, you had the long hair and the bobs,” Kalbskopf explains. “[Barber] shops got by on the flattops and the regulars until the trend went back to short hair. That’s when we get new customers—when the trend is short hair.”

And it’s that same cycle that has the bells above shop doors ringing today. The mousse and blow dryers of the ’80s gave way to the assembly line cutteries of the ’90s until guys realized they were paying $25 for a stranger to give them a cut equivalent—or often inferior—to the $8 “Men’s Regular” at the corner shop.

“The last three or four years, we’ve had more young folks coming in,” comments Sal DiVenti, owner of Sal’s Barber Shop in Cockeysville. “They’re getting away from the Hair Cutteries and stopping in the shops instead.”

And so the cycle continues. There will always be a place for unisex salons and $40 bottles of men’s styling gel, to be sure. But as long as there is weather to discuss and a good joke to be told, those striped poles will keep on spinning.

Here are five recommended barbershops in the Baltimore region:

Tom’s Barber Shop, 410-675-2107, 404 S. Conkling Street

Baynesville Barber Shop (a.k.a. Stan’s)

410-321-1342, 1644 East Joppa Road, Towson

Sal’s Barber Shop, 410-666-1822, 84 Cranbrook Road

Albert’s Barber Shop, 410-276-5660, 4005 Eastern Avenue

Hillendale Barber Shop, 410-285-8083

6857 Loch Raven Boulevard

Hair Do’s and Dont’s

We asked stylists to spill the beans on proper salon etiquette. Here’s what they said.

DO

Show a photograph of the haircut you want

“People think stylists hate that,” says Gabrielle Hart of Studio 1612. “But we don’t. It gives us some idea of what you find attractive.”

Know your hair history

“Do you swim? Do you use well water? Are you on medication? When was your last perm?” These are all questions that need to be addressed, according to Denise Christenson of her eponymous salon.

Come on time

Your stylist may be juggling several clients at once. “The timing in a salon is critical,” says Christenson.

Tell your stylist how much time you have to spend on your hair every day

“If you only have 5 minutes, don’t get a style that takes 45 minutes!” says Christenson.

Give your stylist a chance

“Some people expect immediate nirvana!” says Dean Krapf of Giuseppe’s Hair Studio. “But there’s a possibility that it’s already there. You just need to let the relationship develop.”

Ask about the salon’s
apprentice program

So maybe you can’t pay top dollar.

A lot of salons, like Studio 1612 and Columbia’s George of New York, have a young staff of trainees who give quality cuts at a substantial discount.

DON’T

Wear a turtleneck

Duh! “It gets in the way!” says Christenson.

Talk on your cell phone the whole time

“That drives me friggin’ crazy!” says Christenson.

Ask for a radical change that you’re simply not ready for

“If you have dark hair and you ask to go blonde, prepare to be shocked!” says Hart. “I often suggest gradually easing into something more drastic.”

Ask for the last appointment
on Saturday

“Believe me, you don’t want that appointment,” laughs Christenson.

Use home bleach-out kits

“You know those women you see walking around with yellow hair?” says Hart ominously. “Home bleach kits.”

Welcome to “Life Lines,” a new column on aging gracefully by writer Laura Black.

I wasn’t sure how to dress for a business meeting with a pair of thirty-something women at one of those nouveau coffeehouses. I had my go-to uniforms for board meetings and lunches with contemporaries at the Center Club,—but, these executives were the same age as my kids.

My wardrobe is centered around 40 pairs of black pants—37 of them have elastic waists. (The other three I never wear). Not that I need to justify, but, I need different lengths, fabric weights, and (especially) sizes. They run the gamut from tight-fitting leggings to wide legged, or what we used to call bell bottoms.

I stood in front of my full-length mirror and tried on several black pants and top/jacket combinations. Finally, I settled on a pair of medium weight pants and navy hip-length top. I hoped I looked somewhat stylish. I was tempted to ask Alexa, “Does this make me look old?” And, if she answered, “No,” I would add, “Does it make me look fat?”

In the last few years, like many parts of my body, my confidence in fashion has sagged. My angst is not limited to business meetings with millennials. Simply packing for vacation is cause for confusion. I wonder: Is it okay to wear a fanny pack? How about my extra-wide and super thick Saucony tennis shoes? (Those dainty white sneakers don’t have enough arch support.) And, if it’s hot, can I wear sleeveless tops—even if my underarms jiggle? How about shorts—am I past the age limit? Are capris better? Will they make me look like a Boca Bubbie?

Black-tie events bring a deluge of decisions. Are pantyhose still in? If so, nude or black? Heels are out for me and wedges don’t work either—after a few drinks, they make me wobble. I need flat and fashionable, but wide enough to accommodate custom orthotics. Will I be condemned if I show up in SAS rather than Manolo Blahnik?

Like, technology, I’ve kept-up enough to get by—but always run into problems. The difference is, when my computer freezes, my husband can help. But, where do I turn to find out if eyeliner is in? And, if it is, does it go on both the top and bottom of my lids? How about nail polish? My manicurist suggests blues, greens, and yellows. Does that mean red is a no? Getting more personal—is everything supposed to get waxed?

And, those undergarments—I think they’re called shapers. Admittedly, they’re much better than the old girdles and long-line bras. But, while they suck in my stomach and hips—somehow, like ants in the summer, my fat finds a way to escape. I also tried thongs from Victoria’s Secret. I wore a purple pair for a few hours—I just don’t get it. I know my granny panties are not a turn-on; but, my tush is grateful.

Looking for fashion direction, I observe other women in my age group. Some fight like David against the Goliath of aging. They subject their bodies to lifts, tucks, and fillers. They wear jeans with holes and boots without toes. And, many of them carry it off. I don’t.

On the other extreme, are the women who surrender to age without fighting. They wear floral house dresses or fashion favorites from the ’70s. They don’t have to lug plastic bags of clothes to Goodwill. For them, nothing is out of style.

The group I most admire have a knack for classic dressing. Their silver hair and designer scarves epitomize elegance. They don’t concern themselves with what’s in—they reach for what’s timeless. They walk tall with confidence and embrace their maturity. I can’t tie a scarf.

I know, I could make an appointment with a fashion consultant. Or, I could study Vogue and shop at Saks. But, whenever I learn the rules, the game changes.—and nobody sends me an alert. More importantly, I don’t care enough to stay up-to-date. As my 10-year-old granddaughter said, when we were shopping for a dress for her lower-school graduation, “I want to be myself, but I don’t want to stick out so much that other people talk.”

When I got to the coffee shop I noticed that one of the millennials was wearing a dress with a denim jacket, the other, jeans and a black top. Between sips of java and bites of avocado toast, we closed a deal.

On the way out, the one in the denim jacket said, “You look great for your age.” In other words, it didn’t matter what I wore—in their eyes, I’m old. And, that’s okay. I realized, my real fear was not fashion; it was marginalization.

Lindsey Murray, 18

“Today I am wearing one of my own shirts and a skirt from Urban Masala by Sehar Peezada. I’m usually in all black or neutral colors, but today I wanted to be a little more fun and funky for Artscape”

“I play five instruments including the oboe, the clarinet, and the upright bass.”

Chandi Kelley, 34

“My romper is from an online store called Swell and my necklace is Madewell. My favorite local place to shop is definitely Hunting Ground.”

“My favorite part of the festival is The Artist Run Art Fair because it represents so many different local galleries. It’s just so fun and quirky, and makes me love Baltimore so much.”

Brandon Hayes, 27

“My shirt was given to me by a friend and I wound up taking it in and doing some things to it. I think his mom bought it for him. My favorite thing at Artscape is mainly the art because I’m an art kid at heart. I draw and make clothing.”

“I didn’t cut my hair once all summer and one lady told me I look like Ice Cube.”

Hanna Ibrahim, 27

“I was thinking that it was hot and I sunburn easily, so I wanted to wear something loose and be covered. This skirt is actually from England and the shirt is a dress from Asos that I just put a skirt on over top.”

“I like all of the variety of art. It’s not just one thing that is visual or musical, it’s everything.”

Frankie Lane, 32

“I was thinking about David Bowie. I heard there was a David Bowie dance party. My favorite song is ‘Moonage Daydream.’ I just used the iron on transfer paper and put it on an old skirt and a t-shirt.”

“I like walking around [Artscape] and seeing what people are wearing.”

Shannon Partrick, 25

“When I was getting dressed this morning, I thought, ‘I can’t wear the same thing I wore yesterday.’ My favorite place to shop locally is Bottle of Bread [in Mt. Vernon].”

“This is my first time actually being here and I’ve been working on this van the whole time, but honestly so many amazing people have come on here and been talking with me—artists, printmakers, and booksellers from all over. I’ve just been meeting really incredible people from the DIY arts world.”

Bari Goulbourne, 22

“I am wearing something I got when I was a kid. My friend gave it to me as a symbol of strength and I couldn’t wear it when I was a kid, so now I wear it. The symbol is from an [anime] show that I used to watch called Fooly Cooly.”

“I’ve been told I look like Colin Farrell, Prince, and I’ve even been told I look like Snoop Dogg. That is the funniest one.”

Rachel Morgan, 27

“I was thinking that I had to perform with a funk group so I wanted to wear something a little funky that stood out. Locally, I love shopping at Cloud 9. They have a lot of crop tops there.”

“I get Grace Potter frequently, when my bangs are down. I used to get Hilary Duff all the time also. Basically anyone who is blonde.”

Travis Johnson, 34

“My outfit was picked by my wife. She saw this on Amazon and she got the shirt. Typically we always have the It’s My Skate Night memorabilia on when we go skating just to represent Baltimore skate culture but we wanted to tie it in with the Artscape [outer space] theme.”

“Artscape is a staple of what Baltimore is—it’s a lot of art juice and energies flowing and it’s just inspiring. Just people coming together and showing Baltimore in a positive light.”

Lala Lamb, 23

“My favorite thing about Artscape is just being able to skate. We all have different skate styles and being able to be brought together is the fun thing.”

Julie Byrnes, 21

“Everything I’m wearing is thrifted. I went for comfort and color.”

“I’m from Queens, New York. I’m in Baltimore for the summer doing research and it seemed really awesome. I really like the different kinds of people that are here.”

Stacey Chambers, 36

“When I got dressed, I was thinking about heat and heat tolerance. I just like to spread happiness and give good vibes and energy to people.”

“I really love all of the music and there are so many local bands that get a whole new audience based on getting to perform at Artscape.”

Photo shoot: I got into this in high school. I just started shooting anything that was in front of me. I’d see dewdrops on the grass, flowers, and trees—whatever was in my world. 

Eye-to-eye: None of us know where my [artistic] eye came from because my dad is a nuclear engineer and my mom is a nurse practitioner. 

Youth on her side: There’s this naïve optimism in the space of being 23, chasing down what I want to do with my life, and being blissfully open-minded to the world. 

Desk job: My office tends to be the place where I do all of my digital darkroom work—editing, processing of the images, designing of the albums, packaging boxes, and storing images. 

Let there be light: One thing people don’t always look at is the light. I looked at house after house [before I bought], and they were all dark, little cubes. 

Say cheese: I have a lot of vintage antique cameras, and my husband has collected some of them. A few of the cameras are my late grandfather’s on my dad’s side. 

Sea and be seen: My good friend, interior designer Courtney Hardie, helped me pull pieces that are a mix of modern with coastal and nautical, everything from little pieces of coral to a shell mirror that subtly hints at the sea. 

Final snapshot: When all is said and done in 100 years, and but a handful of people remember my name, I will still have left a mark on this world that matters. I will have done something not for myself, but for other families and their loved ones.

Does it seem like the whole world is gearing up for an iPhone 6 when you’re not due for an upgrade for months? Comfort yourself by giving your current phone a makeover. Hey, you just might fall in love with your iPhone 5 all over again.

Clockwise from top center:

Flower Power: Floral inlay case ($38) at Trohv.

Hello There!: “Hello!” slim case ($32) at In Watermelon Sugar.

Think Pink: Pink patterned case ($25) at Peace. Love. Shop. Zyzyx!

Feeling Blue: Navy blue embossed cover ($36) at Su Casa.

Colorful Shapes: Rainbow prism inlay case ($32) at Trohv.

Dozen Roses: Blue and white floral case ($36) at Becket Hitch.

Water Colors: Multicolor inlay case ($36) at Sassanova.

Stripe Groups: Navy-and-white striped case ($25) at J. Crew. 

Never sell someone a product you wouldn’t use yourself. That might as well be the motto of Jamyla, right, and Pierre Bennu, left, who launched the Oyin Handmade product line in 2001. 

“I was the original consumer,” says Jamyla. “I wanted high quality all-natural products with an emphasis on moisture and gentleness. At the time, such things were difficult to find commercially, so I made my own.” 

Initially, they just shared the product with family and friends. “From there, it moved to fairs and shows, and the website launched in 2003,” says Pierre. Five years ago, the couple opened a store in Charles Village. 

Today, their products—which now include hair and body products for men, women, and babies—are carried in several Whole Foods Markets and Target locations across the country, and it just keeps growing. 

“Our consumers are people with all hair types and textures, who care about quality ingredients in their products and appreciate affordable luxury,” Jamyla says. 

So what’s the key to their product? Believe it or not, honey, the couple reports. 

“Oyin is actually the Yoruba word for honey,” Pierre says. “Honey is one of nature’s most versatile beauty ingredients,” Jamyla adds. “It’s useful for acne treatment. Honey maintains supple skin, soft lips, and hydrated hair.” 

But no, the Bennus do not suggest that you add their products to your tea.

The 35-year-old Green Spring Station seems to be aging quite well, thank you, embracing new ideas and stores, like Wee Chic’s recent move/expansion and the introduction of trendy gift and home store Becket Hitch. 

“While we continue to service a mature market, we also are actively inviting a younger person to the Station,” says Tom Peddy, co-owner of Foxleigh Enterprises, the family-run development entity that manages Green Spring Station. “The new stores we are adding are specifically targeting a younger, fashion-conscious market.” 

Kohli Flick, owner of Becket Hitch, which opened in April, says that the Station has always been on her radar. “When I was looking for retail space, I wanted an established shopping center, a sense of community. It’s an exciting time to be here,” she says. 

The Station rarely has openings for new stores, so when it happens, Peddy looks for “youthful enthusiasm with experience,” and saw that in Flick. “Many of our stores are [run by] first-time owners, but they all came to us with a vision,” he says. “Kohli Flick had been a buyer for a successful store [Hampden’s Trohv], and it was her turn for ownership.”

“The Peddys have been big supporters from the beginning, and when this space came up, they were really encouraging,” says Bridget Stickline, owner of Wee Chic. “We are really excited about the move—we’re trying to do something that no one else is doing.” 

Stickline explains that the larger space will allow for more clothing, as well as the introduction of kids’ furniture, a “candy bar,” and “The Room,” which holds parenting-themed events and classes. “This is a lot of change at once for Green Spring,” Stickline says, “but it’s all very positive change.”

This handmade Sailing Ship Kite is made from bamboo and nylon in collaboration with Balinese artists. The multifunctional piece can serve as a décor item (like a mobile, hanging from the ceiling) or as an actual kite. (Let the wind lift it away.) Sailing Ship Kite by Haptic Lab ($44-45) at Becket Hitch and The Store, Ltd.

In Baltimore City, there’s a sports performance apparel company with a staff of athletes and innovators, that looks to dominate the market with its cutting-edge sports technology, and that has developed unique products to keep athletes dry and protected from the elements.

No, not that company. It’s 180s and it’s based right in Fells Point.

If Under Armour is the Goliath of the Maryland sporting-goods scene, 180s barely even counts as the David—but, in the form of its first-ever spring line, being released this month, 180s may have fashioned itself a mighty slingshot.

If you have any knowledge of 180s, it’s likely of the company’s signature behind-the-head ear warmers that keep ears cozy without unsightly hat head. Since the first muffs hit the market in 1995, they’ve been the mainstay of the brand. The warmers account for about $17 million in business annually. With its spring line and new winter technology in the offing, the company wants to double its revenue and break out of its seasonal dependency.

180s has been flying particularly low on the radar lately. Only a sign printed on computer paper alludes to the corporate headquarters near the waterfront. The paint inside the soaring warehouse space is still fresh after the twin disasters of first a fire at neighboring Pazo and then a flood last fall that temporarily displaced the company and led to an impromptu décor update. These are just a few of the speed bumps in the 180s story. An unusually mild winter, an increasingly competitive market, and a shakeup at the top of the company have also been challenges. Which is why this season could make or break the local firm.

The ear warmer that started it all was the brainchild of a Wharton Business School project in 1994 by 180s founders Brian Le Gette and Ron Wilson. The product first sold on QVC and was so popular when it launched that the company could hardly keep up with demand. The profits poured in and enabled 180s to expand into other products. The company also secured contracts with the military, most recently to create a desert combat jacket.

By 2003, 180s was ranked 9th on Inc. magazine’s list of 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies.

“They were super smart, savvy guys who knew how to innovate products and how products were patented,” says Amy Tankersley, vice president of marketing. 180s currently holds 80 product patents or patents pending.

In 2006, 180s was purchased by New York-based private equity and holding company Patriarch Partners. Much of the staff today is as new as the paint on the office walls, including CEO Lester Lee, who joined in 2011. There’s no comment from the current team about how 180s’s uncontrolled growth led the company into Patriarch’s holdings, nor does anyone want to recap the reportedly messy breakup between Le Gette and Wilson. 180s’s current leadership is taking a lesson from the company history, but doesn’t want to dwell on the past.

“The word you hear a lot is passion—passion for who we are, what we’ve done, and what we’re going to do,” says Sue Torralba, 180s marketing manager. “It’s a new day for us and we’re excited to get back to our roots and do what we’ve always been known for. And we’ve got the right team now in place.”

Although its ear warmers appeal to a broad consumer base, 180s has become increasingly interested in performance-based gear that provides common-sense solutions to active people. The Exolite ear warmer, for example, takes the technology to the next level by making it super lightweight for runners. 180s’s pioneering spirit is also visible in its trademarked TecTouch gloves that allow smartphone users to use touchscreens while keeping their hands toasty.

“You name a brand, they have a technical running glove. [TecTouch] is what differentiated them,” says Brian Hirshfeld, owner of Holabird Sports. Unlike many other technical gloves, Hirshfeld notes, the ones made by 180s actually work. His store got the gloves in September last year and sold out at Christmastime.

Now 180s is looking to have the same kind of success with a line called Quantum Cool.

Shawn Pinamonti caused quite a stir when he showed up at October’s Baltimore Marathon wearing flashy, bright orange compression sleeves. A product designer at 180s, Pinamonti is also an avid marathoner. As the leader of one of the pace groups, he had plenty of eyes on him as he sported the product, part of Quantum Cool, the company’s new spring line.

“It’s neat being able to contribute as a designer and as an athlete,” says Pinamonti. Although he only joined 180s six months ago, he helped illustrate the storyboards that developed into the 2012 line of gloves. “It’s cool seeing your stuff being used right away. We have a lot of creative freedom here.”

180s is tapping its inventive wellspring with Quantum Cool. While there are other compression sleeves, these products address the concerns of the warm-weather athlete. In addition to sweat-activated technology that cools the skin up to 3 percent, the fabric has sun protection and anti-odor properties.

The line is heavy on accessories—compression sleeves, wrist and headbands—though there will also be apparel, starting with packable jackets. Staffers like Pinamonti, who is training for his fourth Boston Marathon, were able to wear-test the products, as were athletes from around the U.S., like Idaho-based ultra-endurance cyclist Justin Sparhawk.

A 180s product representative hooked Sparhawk up with Quantum Cool calf and arm sleeves in time for the Hoodoo 500, a grueling 500-mile bicycle race in Utah in August. Sparhawk completed the race in 44 hours.

“When I started out at 7 a.m., it was already 90 degrees,” Sparhawk recalls. “As soon as I started to sweat a bit, I could instantly feel the surface cooling. It was kind of unreal.”

The line is a natural for runners and cyclists, but 180s is also marketing it to its existing outdoorsmen customers. In an exclusive arrangement, famed fisherman Jimmy Houston will be the spokesperson to promote Quantum Cool at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

So now they wait. Consumers don’t buy earmuffs unless it’s cold, so warm winters can decimate sales. Without spring and summer gear to fall back on, 180s couldn’t do much but lick its wounds and wait for a new, cold winter to arrive. But that was then.

“We’ve had a mild winter and our sales reflected that,” Tankersley says. “That was a major concern of the owner, who wanted us to be a year-round business . . . . We’re excited to be more than an ear warmer and glove company.”

The company’s 42 employees are psyched. There’s talk of “rebuilding Team 180s”—amateur athletes who test and market the brand. Currently it’s a team of, well, one—Olympic hopeful freestyle skier Patrick Deneen. There’s hope of bringing back the innovation department once staffed by engineers and scientists. In a press release Lester Lee said: “This is a new 180s with a renewed vision and purpose.” That clean slate has energized 180s staff, almost all of whom are from Baltimore.

“It’s a small company, so there’s a lot of devotion,” says Torralba, who is also a marathon runner. “I can’t emphasize how much passion and excitement is here, especially because a lot of people here are athletes themselves.”

There could be growth ahead when Quantum Heat is introduced in the fall. That line of apparel and accessories will remove moisture, amplify light absorption, and capture body heat to keep athletes warm and dry.

Talented people and a certain nimbleness born of its small size could play in 180s’s favor as it expands into the apparel world dominated by household brand names, like Under Armour, The North Face, and Columbia.

“We are a small player, so we need a reason why we exist, and our point of distinction is technology,” says Tankersley. “Those brands have deeper pockets and years of experience. We are pretty new in this landscape, and it will take time to get a foothold around apparel.”

Tankersley is optimistic that if the company stands by its innovative, performance technology and focuses on the needs of its customer base, 180s will re-establish its niche in the marketplace. And maybe, we’ll one day refer to Baltimore as the home of one sports apparel Goliath and one very relentless David.

A hat block stands on a table in front of 68-year-old Phyllis Eley. It’s just a piece of balsa wood, carved in the shape of a woman’s head. But when Eley takes this inanimate object in her hands, it seems to take on life. The block becomes a model, a stand-in for the woman who will wear a Phyllis Eley creation on the top of her head.

Eley, who works out of a shop in Pikesville, is an artist, a maker of women’s hats, also known as a milliner. Millinery isn’t a term used often these days. Its heyday dates back to a time when hats were de rigeur, when a woman without a hat wasn’t completely dressed. These were women who shared Eley’s philosophy, that a “custom-made hat is the ultimate accessory for an outfit.”

That time is long gone, but, every May, the tradition returns to Baltimore. That’s when women join the pageantry of Preakness by donning fabulous headwear.

A milliner cannot make a living on Preakness alone. And these days, most women think of hats as only a special occasion accessory. Yet, Eley is a living reminder that the milliner’s art is not gone. In fact, as Mark Twain might say, rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.

The term “milliner” comes from the city of Milan, Italy, where you could find suppliers of fancy goods in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Over the years, every time clothing fashions changed, hat styles did, too. That’s not a coincidence.

“The hat balances out what’s worn below,” says hat historian Debbie Henderson, who has written several books on men’s hats.

So, for example, in the early 1900s, women wore fuller petticoat skirts and had big hairdos, as well as bigger hats. Picture My Fair Lady.

In the 1920s, a big hat would have looked silly with the simple straight-lined dresses of the day. So you had the cloche (the French word for bell). Its bell-like shape fit close to the head.

“During World War II,” says Henderson, “everything was rationed. With less fabric, skirt lengths went up. Hats became smaller.” And in the early ’60s, Jackie Kennedy set the trend with simple sleeveless shifts and her signature small pillbox hats.

At that time, there were quite a number of milliners around Baltimore that catered to hat-wearing ladies, like Kitty Hughes on Greenmount Avenue, Peggy Freed on North Charles Street, and Sophia Lewyt on West Saratoga. But just as they were inundated with orders for pillboxes, they had no idea that their industry was about to collapse. For when pillboxes faded in popularity, nothing stepped in to take their place. Women began abandoning their hats.

So, what exactly happened?

“There are a lot of different theories,” says Diane Feen, the editor of a yearly trade publication Hat Life.

“The bouffant hairdo was the big thing that started it,” she says. Women started teasing their hair in the ’60s and there’s no doubt a hat would ruin it. And lord knows, Baltimore’s penchant for big hair was immortalized in the John Waters film Hairspray. No way Baltimore ladies were putting hats on that stiff hair.

And there’s one other, unlikely contributing factor, says Feen: the newfound popularity of the suntan. “At one time, women of the upper class wanted to look pale because it was workers who were out in the sun,” she says. “But in the ’60s and ’70s, looking tanned was no longer a stigma. Women started sunbathing. So they stopped wearing hats.”

That being said, there are some older women who look back longingly at the hat-wearing tradition.

“We always wore a hat with gloves and a pocketbook to match,” remembers 83-year-old Angie Rounis of Woodlawn. She bought her favorite hat of all in a little shop on Lexington Street. “It was a pink pillbox with a little veil around the front and taffeta around the edge.”

Sixty-six-year-old Barbara Murray of Catonsville notes that every time her family went to church or out shopping, she had to wear a suit, a dress hat, and gloves. “My grandmother used to say, ‘If you have respect for yourself, you dress like a lady.'”

Eighty-year-old Dorothy Binder grew up in Atlantic City, N.J. “We would never go out on the Boardwalk without a hat, gloves, and high heels,” she remembers.

Years later, after moving to Baltimore, Binder took her teenage daughter to New Jersey and insisted she wear a hat and gloves. It turned out everyone else on the Boardwalk was in shorts.

“My daughter will never forgive me,” she says.

But while the days of a hat completing almost any outfit are clearly behind us, there are still pockets of hat-wearing ladies, many right here in Baltimore.

First stop: church. Hats are a longstanding tradition there, particularly in many of Baltimore’s African American churches.

On a recent Sunday, 56-year-old Janice Chance of Owings Mills and her good friend Aritha Brown of Randallstown were ready to attend the 11 o’clock service at Randallstown’s Colonial Baptist Church. Each wore something on her head. Chance’s off-white, large-brimmed hat was decorated with feathers, sequins, and small pearls; Brown’s was also off-white, in the shape of a fan, bearing a large bow, small pearls, and lace.

These ladies would never come hatless to a worship service. Ask why, and each turns to the same page in her Bible: First Corinthians Chapter 11. It includes this sentence, “Every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head.”

But Chance is quick to add, “We don’t condemn women who don’t wear hats. You can worship God without a hat, because He’s looking at your heart.”

Of course, you don’t need church to love hats. Some women, like Marcy Sagel of Baltimore, have entire collections of headwear and wear hats frequently.

“I wear them to block the sun, keep me warm, and also for fashion,” she explains. “It just gives that finished look to an outfit. It’s sort of an old-school flavor, but I like it.”

Allison Harris, who owns Caribbean Rose Pirate & Vintage Millinery Emporium, shares Sagel’s love for hats and wears them often.

“It makes you feel glamorous!” she gushes. “If you want to turn heads, wear a hat.”

Of course, that’s part of the problem. A hat sets you apart from the crowd. You stand out, and that makes some people uncomfortable.

Phyllis Eley says those women just “don’t know what they’re missing.”

Eley was in her early twenties when she discovered her love for hat-making 43 years ago. She enrolled in a class at the Baltimore YWCA and was instructed by two prominent African-American milliners Nell Sheridan and Sophie Myers. They taught Phyllis the basics of the craft, but Eley didn’t stop there. Before long, she taught herself to create all kinds of hats and their trims, entirely by hand. She’s a stickler for detail.

“I’m particular about construction,” she says. “Everything must be securely sewn.”

Back in the ’60s, Eley remembers she bought most of her supplies at a shop on Mulberry Street at American Trimming House owned by Al Schalane, where “a hat block cost $14.”

Today, she says they’re seven times that much. Making hats was not a full-time job for Eley. In fact, it was more like a hobby. She worked for the phone company Bell System for 32 years. “But once I retired,” she says with a smile, “I found my true calling.”

About 18 years ago, Eley was selling her creations at a benefit fashion show when a store owner from Pikesville approached her and asked if she would work for her. There was a large market for hats in Pikesville among the Orthodox Jewish community, whose women keep their heads covered at all times. Eley took the job.

Today, she works at another Pikesville shop called Hats to Hose, and still has an eclectic clientele. Some of her customers are Jewish. Many are African-American. Others just seek her out year-round, especially at Preakness time.

This is an exciting time for Eley because, she says, customers going to the Preakness race are willing to be more daring, and it gives her the chance to be really creative. She says women feel special in their Preakness hats, and “they could feel just as special for other occasions if they would just consider wearing a hat.

In addition to making her own hats, Eley sells and sizes ready-made hats and restores vintage hats. Sometimes customers ask her to completely restyle an older hat.

That is a delicate task. First, Eley carefully pulls the old hat apart, keeping fabric and trim perfectly intact.

She then cuts out a shape for her new hat from buckram (a coarse, stiff cloth), wets the buckram to make it pliable, and molds it onto the hat block. When it dries, it has the shape of the hat-to-be.

Then, with scissors and pins, Eley cuts the fabric and pieces together a little work of art, to be sewn, finished, and presented to the customer.

“That’s the wonderful part,” she says, “when they see it, and love it, and appreciate my work.”

Oh, yes, they appreciate it. Customer Naon Locust calls Eley “a gem, a hidden gem here in Baltimore.”

Customer Dena Soclof agrees. Eley made hats for her for all her daughters’ and granddaughters’ weddings. “Her work is outstanding,” she says.

Hats to Hose co-owner Linda Elman says simply, “I always tell people that Phyllis has golden hands.”

Eley herself is almost never without a hat—usually a custom-made one at that. But young people today, when they do buy hats, tend to buy off the rack. So, what does the future hold for the art of millinery?

Author Debbie Henderson says milliners are coming off the endangered species list. “There’s an amazing resurgence, and there are young men and women going to fashion schools studying millinery,” she says. “There are a lot of new milliners creating exciting styles, especially in Europe.”

There’s no telling when those styles may make it to Baltimore, but, if nothing else, some future milliners may learn their art in Charm City. Annet Couwenberg, a professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art, teaches a class called Fashioning Culture/Readdressing Clothing.

“The first thing I teach in that course is millinery,” she says. “I find it important that students realize the craftsmanship used in traditional millinery techniques. I want them to interpret hats as fine artists.”

So women’s hats, and the talented milliners who make them, live on. And this month you’ll see them in full force at Preakness, sporting feathers, flowers, and wide brims—the bigger the better.

Hat purists like Henderson wish they could see days like this all year-round.

“Hats are the cherry on top of the cake,” she exclaims. “They’re the finishing touch, the jewel and sparkle. It’s what makes a whole outfit come together.”

Adds Gaithersburg milliner Allison Harris: “I say dress up! Look beautiful! Wear a hat!”