KARACHI: From a small salon based in her living room 33 years ago, Peng Qureshi has grown to become a recognised name for hair and skincare. The stylist has now launched her brand new flagship salon, Peng’s, in Clifton, which her son — Toni&Guy Lahore’s Shammal Qureshi — describes as “a one-stop shop.”
“When I came to Pakistan from Malaysia in the ‘80s, I saw a lot of potential here,” says Peng. “After 33 years, I feel like I owed it to my clients to give them a new place where they could pamper themselves.” The new venture is her sixth salon in the country, with two women’s and one men’s salon already in Karachi and two Toni&Guy outlets in Lahore.
Peng admits she has been lucky when it comes to loyal clients. When asked what makes them come back every time, she says, “Clients want value for money and if you deliver, they will always come back.” She feels her unique selling proposition is intensive skincare as well as haircuts and colours.
“We are famous for cuts and colour as well but make-up hasn’t been our strongest area — my other salons were too small and cramped so I couldn’t do it all,” admits Peng. “But with this new outlet, I want to expand in every direction so it’s a complete place for clients.”
Peng remains fearless when it comes to competition. “Every time a new competitor enters the market, you make an effort to make your brand better; you work harder,” she says. “Otherwise you just think you are the best and get lazy. You start thinking you don’t need to learn new things or grow.”
Training and taking courses from time to time is also important for Peng. “I leave the country three to four times a year to go for training. I’ll be going to Paris this year and China next month — Toni&Guy wants to open an outlet there,” Peng explains. In Pakistan, her next outlet will open in Islamabad.
The salon launch included a fashion show where models including Nadia Hussain and Fauzia donned outfits by designers such as Sana Safinaz, Adnan Pardesy and Sania Maskatiya. This was followed by a video presentation of the salon, which guests watched as they munched on crunchy wontons, brownies and colourful slushies.
LAIQA HASAN SALON & SPA
Laiqa Hasan has over 20 years of experience as a hair and make-up artist. Due to health problems, she went under the grid two years ago but is now well and back with a new and complete salon which is also a spa. Saturday witnessed the opening of LH Laiqa Hasan Salon & Spa.
“Laiqa Hasan is a known name for make-up and beauty care and today, with tough competition ahead of us, I wanted to open this salon and spa so people know we are a brand,” said Hasan, who has done the make-up of Tanhaiyan: Naye Silsilay and Coke Kahani casts. “People trust my work and that’s why they come to me.”
The salon has a sophisticated, relaxed and calm aura; white walls, a wooden interior and a staircase decorated with flowers. The services will now include hair styling and cuts, beauty care, make-up and facials and massages. Hasan admits that her prices are “a bit steep” but that she will be offering discount coupons.
“The price range will be competitive because I strongly believe in class; my services are targeted at a niche market,” she continued. “I want people to come and get various treatments here and never be disappointed with my technical staff.”
The beautician is known for working her magic on celebs like Sadia Imam. When asked whether Imam would remain on her list, she said, “No, I am done with her. Sarah Loren has now signed up for my brand and I will be doing her make-up and styling — she has potential.”
Life has not always been easy on Hasan as two years ago she suffered from paralysis. “I was completely handicapped — it was a very abnormal and difficult time for me,” she says. “I took great care of myself and with the support of my family, I recovered to a great extent by the end of 2012.” The whole time she was ill, Hasan contemplated over how her salon could be revamped.
“When people said I could never get better, I knew things needed to change,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2013.
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