How Jacques Hanna is Redefining Luxury Hair Care
Jacques Hanna, world class hairdresser and founder of luxury Dubai hair salon, Jacque La Coupe talks to Bazaar Arabia about his pathway to becoming an international business owner, how he came to be the first male hair dresser in Saudi Arabia, and why he doesn’t like to work with celebrities
Since Jacques was a young boy, he always knew he wanted to do hair. He was in his early twenties when he made a beeline for Paris to work at L’Oréal, leaving behind his native Lebanon. Since then he has gone on to work with his family to expand their Paris-based hair salon. Eventually, he also partnered with bonafide industry legend, Mohamed El Saghir to bring the business to the Middle East. Bringing back his expertise from Paris to the GCC and confidently identifying himself as an expertly trained professional in a predominately female-dominated space has allowed him to pave the way for countless other men who are also passionate about hair dressing in the region. Although he’s been fortunate to work with countless celebrity clients (including royalty), what ultimately motivates Jacques is the rare power he has to be able to make people feel their most confident.
In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Jacques opens up about is extraordinary path to success and his unwavering commitment to his craft. Breaking barriers as the first male hairdresser in Saudi Arabia, Jacques reflects on his journey and shares his unique perspective on celebrity clientele
Pathway to Success
Jacques traces his career back to his early aspirations, sharing his transition from Beirut to Paris and the pivotal decision to expand his family’s salon to the Middle East. He recalls, “Since I was a young boy, I always knew I wanted to do hair. It was in my early twenties when I made a beeline for Paris to work at L’Oréal, leaving behind my native Lebanon.”
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Jacques emphasizes the importance of innovation and adaptability. He shares, “We wanted to register ‘La Coupe’ internationally and turn it into a brand, but it was already trademarked globally.” Undeterred, Jacques and his team pivoted, franchising the salon in the Middle East, marking the beginning of their international success. On this day Jacques operates in 14 locations worldwide.
Gender Barriers
As the first male hairdresser in Saudi Arabia, Jacques sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of breaking gender stereotypes. He explains, “Being the first male hairdresser to operate in Saudi Arabia which services women. We are writing history as we speak.” His pioneering spirit has paved the way for countless other men passionate about hairstyling in the region.
Celebrity Clients
Contrary to industry norms, Jacques reveals his preference for working with everyday clients over celebrities. He emphasizes the genuine connections forged with clients, stating, “What makes me different, is the reputation of my clientele who has been with me since I started 22 years ago as well as the second and third generation.” For Jacques, the satisfaction of making clients feel confident transcends the allure of celebrity glamour.
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Jacques unveils his plans for expansion into Saudi Arabia and the launch of his exclusive line of hair tools and products. He emphasizes his commitment to innovation and excellence in the pursuit of redefining luxury haircare. He adds, “My biggest focus right now is the product launch and Saudi Arabia. Those are my current challenges.” With an unwavering dedication to his craft, Jacques Hanna continues to push the boundaries of luxury haircare, inspiring future generations of hairdressers around the world.
Through his candid insights and unwavering dedication, Jacques Hanna continues to shape the landscape of luxury haircare, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and inspiring future generations of hairdressers.
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