Click and clip

Alicia Robinson

If you want to point and click while your hair gets colored and

clipped, Costa Mesa has a salon for you.

Veteran stylist Patty Ashen and her husband, David Zimmerman,

opened Shanghai on 17th Street in Costa Mesa in October, but just

held their grand opening party on Saturday.

Ashen chose the name for her cutting-edge salon because of her

interest in architecture. The city of Shanghai has long been

considered an example of futuristic design, she said.

“We really wanted to create an environment that was modern, a

little bit futuristic, but also a bit primitive as well,” she said.

The shop has a hip, lounge feel that was created by New Zealand

architect Jeff Sumich. The surroundings are all white, with boxy

chairs for clients and ceiling-high mirrors at each stylist’s

station.

In keeping with the modern theme, wireless network access will be

provided for customers who want to bring work along with them to

their appointments. Ashen said the salon will also play music and

serve clients drinks on some evenings.

Shanghai carries color and styling products by Davines, an Italian

company for which Ashen has been a color teacher.

It’s Ashen’s first time running her own salon, but she’s had no

trouble getting clients, she said. After cutting hair for 21 years,

she said, she has built up a loyal following.

She has staffed the salon with trendy, young stylists, who she

wants to enjoy working at Shanghai as much as clients enjoy coming

there.

Color specialist Christen Herold said Shanghai is a busy, exciting

place to work, and Ashen is a great teacher.

“I wanted to work in an environment where people wanted to be

beautiful and wanted to take care of their hair,” Herold said.

Ashen said she had her employees in mind when then salon was

designed.

“There’s so much to our industry that I really wanted to help our

industry [in Newport-Mesa,]” she said. “So many salons are just for

the client. I also wanted an atmosphere where the hairstylist could

feel creative also.”