Ainsleys Brings New Glamour To Newmarket!

One of Newmarket’s noted heritage buildings is now home to the glamorous creativity of super stylist Penny Ainsley and her talented team.

After six years in the suburbs, it was time for a change for Ainsley’s Hair Design. The need for a fresh new space led Penny to the trendy loft space in Osborne Street in the heart of Auckland’s Newmarket.

The glamorous new space is appropriate to Ainsley’s – Penny has been responsible for the immaculate hair of a number of high-profile New Zealand women - including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

With exposed brick and high studs, the new loft location for Penny Ainsley’s salon has been specifically fitted out with clients in mind.

While moving can often be a lengthy, stressful process, Ainsley’s was relatively pain-free for Penny – it was a whirlwind three week process from go to whoa.

"L’Oréal Professionnel provided great support throughout the move - we have had a long standing relationship with L’Oréal Professionnel ever since we started Ainsley’s,” she says.

The former nightclub on the second floor needed a lot of work to transform it to a new place of glamour and beauty but it was a task Penny and general manager Nicola Lee attacked with open arms.

"We could see the wonderful potential the space offered – Newmarket is a shopping Mecca for Aucklanders and Osborne Street is being transformed with both trendy new fashion boutiques and more traditional retail.

"So we didn’t mind getting stuck in and turning it into the space we could visualise. The windows had been boarded up but once we stripped everything back, a light, airy space was revealed and we knew immediately our clients would love it.

"Nicola and I designed the interior ourselves, so it was a labour of love we’re both extremely proud of.”

The close-knit Ainsley’s team comprises senior stylist Rochelle Collins - a finalist in this year’s L’Oréal Colour Trophy awards - colourist Natasha Snow, general manager Nicola Lee and Penny as owner/operator. Each has her own skills, the styling team is able to focus on their own talents and let them shine.

"We wanted to create a space where women can come to relax, while also providing the everyday essentials discerning clients have now come to expect. We strive to always offer a warm welcome from a team that loves what it does.

"As life gets busier, women require a salon space where they can be pampered. Many of our clients are multi-tasking, career women – so of course we provide WIFI for the iPhone or smart phone so our clients can keep working while we make them over,” says Penny.

Clients say it doesn’t take long at all to build a relationship with the Ainsley team. Client confidentiality is de rigueur at Ainsley’s. But it is said that the first visit not only fixes colours but also settles the hair into a style that works to ensure regular fine-tuning keeps it a la mode.

The vibe and energy inherent in Newmarket has definitely taken an upbeat with the arrival of Ainsleys.