Taking their signature downtown vibe slightly further uptown, Privé by Laurent D is back on the Manhattan grid with a posh new spot at The Sherry-Netherland on Fifth Avenue. As a loyal expat of the original West Broadway location and direction-less after my stylist-supreme-o of seven years’ move Down Under, the generous invite to come north had me in an uber in less than a New York Minute.
Known for his stylish and edgy, yet approachable aesthetic, Laurent Dufourg has been an A-list favorite in Paris, Los Angeles, and New York. Read: the parts of the world that matter most. Surrounded by exceptional talent, his Privé team is the squad of which your goals are made. Trendy, confident, and always friendly, those behind the glass doors exhibit a casual air as they flex their remarkable skills. Looking incredible and boosting your ego are just a couple of things you can expect to experience. Think therapy and makeover with table service.
After a brief chat with Laurent (nicest person on this planet, by the way), I was introduced to Andrew. “I will give you one of the best haircuts you’ve ever had,” says he. My kind of one liner. With his impressive resume of experience earned in Korea, DC, LA, and NY, it felt right to let him do what he saw best. Hashtag nothing to lose. Starting with an incredible shampoo treatment that had me melt in the chair, Andrew took his time to carefully blend my questionable pompadour back to Manhattan standards. Sweet and onpoint, his eye for angles had my face framed to perfection.
The new Privé space is bright and welcoming. Laurent’s trademark emphasis on stark never comes across as sterile, instead feeling very home away from home. The contemporary artwork by Mr. Brainwash emphasizes Privé’s Soho roots and gives The Sherry-Netherland a touch of uptown funk. There are eight cutting chairs, a private color room on the mezzanine, and with Bergdorf’s and Barney’s only a block away, there’s no excuse not to venture above Union Square.
Having left the salon with a great cut and a pot of the Matte Finish Pomade, I cannot rave enough about the Privé formule aux herbes range. Laurent’s line of hair care and styling aids allows his master styling for at-home maintenance with minimal effort. The Distinguished Gentlemen pomades are lightweight and pliable and offer just enough hold to be a year round favorite in any guy’s grooming arsenal. Available at www.priveproducts.com.
Privé at The Sherry-Netherland is located at 781 5th Avenue, just north of 59th Street. Ask for Andrew. You’re welcome.
*salon photos courtesy of Privé
