This ain’t your mom’s hair salon – or maybe it is… and you have a really cool mom. I come to Voce often because I always leave feeling inspired as well as beautified. Most of their clients, or guests as they call them, are restauranteurs, photographers, artists or successful business people – the mix makes for some great eavesdropping.
Michael Renaud & Andrea Drozdek (partners in business and in life) met in 2010 while they were renting chairs at a local shop. Renaud, who had recently sold his half of a salon, was itching to start up again with a new vision that focused on classic, simple, deconstructed style.
Andrea and her sister Ines (my stylist and friend pictured above) moved to Windsor from a small town near Zagreb, Croatia in 1995. Their parents, who didn’t speak a lick of English, left during the war to start fresh and provide a better life for their children in Essex-County. In addition to their slight accents, there are hints of European-isms in everything they do. They’re worldly, warm and inviting.
The lounge is located on Ouellette – a landmark for Windsorites who have been coming from all parts of the city since they opened 6 years ago. From the get-go I was drawn to the creative yet simply repurposed Mastercraft tool chest and cement-board walls.
Stylists Ines, Andrea, Mike and Virginia Bertozzi (pictured above) have slightly different approaches all while focusing on “lived in”, natural colours and beauty. I was asking Renaud if he had any style icons and he explained;
“We look up to young people who are trying to make a mark. We get energy from people like that, not the gurus. These people are creating the future and coming up with new creative styles. The younger stylists didn’t make it the traditional way… Nowadays you have to put yourself on social media and the companies come after you.”
Voce has a community approach in many ways. They are part of a co-op program, where local high schoolers in the cosmetology program can learn alongside licensed stylists in hopes of being hired as an apprentice. Their artwork is supplied by their artistic guests (check out Thrack Anderson and NINA), they also volunteer and donate to a family shelter, the Welcome Centre Organization and the Children’s Aid Foundation.
Call for an appointment and follow Voce on Facebook to stay tuned for a new website, their new social media launch and a blog party for yours truly. Voce uses Kevin Murphy products and follows Johnny Ramirez, Romeu Felipe, Alen M. and Tracey Cunningham on Instagram.
Contact Information:
1037 Ouellette, Windsor, N9A 4J8
Voce Hair Lounge
519-254-8623
