Beauty Innovator: Edris Nichols

A bright red sign simply displays “Edris” at the corner of West 14th Street and Washington Street. Visitors lodging at the nearby Hotel Gansevoort and the Jane spill onto the sidewalk. Luxury boutiques like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Diane Von Furstenberg line the surrounding streets. Who or what is Edris? Edris is a space filled with relics of African, Asian, and European origin. Edris is the execution of a business plan based on modern sensibility and organic resources. Edris is the namesake salon of hairdresser Edris Nichols. 

Edris, a native of the Caribbean, first became interested in hair as a teenager. She studied cosmetology as part of a New York high school vocational program. From there she trained under Warren Tricomi. Edris has developed a strong presence in the New York fashion and beauty scene. Edris represents a style aesthetic that blends uptown elegance with downtown edge according to LinkedIn.com. Edris’s mission is to service a multi-cultural and multi-textured clientele desiring a unique approach to hair care. 

Upon opening her salon in 2003, Edris was ahead of the curve with her unique approach. NaturallyCurly.com reports that beauty companies are increasingly developing products to meet the demands of wavy and curly haired customers, salon services for highly textured hair are becoming more varied, and consumers of many races are seeking haircare that rebels against the societal preference for straight hair. Edris was one of the first luxury salons to embrace this trend and offer high fashion style for coiled hair. Her signature techniques have landed her clients including Iman and Naomi Campbell as well as backstage work for designers such as Tracey Reese.

Alison P. Davis, a correspondent for Elle, shares her own Edris experience in the article “Blown Away”. Davis was once ashamed of her curly hair and overwhelmed with how to care for it. After a visit with Edris, the journalist said, “ The rest of the day is like a Pantene ad.” 
Phot courtesy Giltcity.com