Edris Nicholls
St. Vincent-born salon owner Edris Nicholls got her start in the beauty biz in New York City, mastering the art of hairstyling in a Koch-era after-school program. “Growing up in the Caribbean, my grandmother was known as the ‘hair doctor’–and I have her hands,” Nicholls remembers. After paying her dues at the upscale Warren Tricomi Salon, the stylist set out on her own in 2003 to open EDRIS Salon on one of the last uncrowded strips of the Meatpacking District. Located on top of legendary club territory from the ’80s, Nicholls was certain that her business would flourish and attract all cultures. Based in an area of so much history, Nicholls insists that her staff adopt a multicultural approach to hair, and that equal-opportunity attitude is reflected in her diverse clientele. Nicholls remains at the top of her field as an artistic director for Shu Uemura Art of Hair, beauty contributor for Shape magazine, and a stylist on music videos, editorial shoots and high fashion runways. Much of Nicholls’ time is spent mentoring, and she sees her haircuts as mini therapist sessions. “Touching someone’s head is a very intimate thing; clients open up and there is a great deal of trust between stylist and client.”
