Issy’s Belgravia, it’s an experience!

December 8, 2019

When you hear the name David Gillson, what comes to mind? For me, I immediately think of high-end fashion, glamour, celebrities, name brands, high-end bloggers and travel. What also comes to mind is the phrase, catch him if you can. That’s because David can be found at a plethora of salons, including Carlton Hyde Park, Rosebank and Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, Constantia in Cape Town and at Issy’s Belgravia, London. David is the only hairstylist I know who works at so many salons and who travels as extensively as he does. That must be where he gathers his inspiration from.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting all three of his Johannesburg Carlton branches and each one is more spectacular than the next. When you walk into any of David’s salons you can expect to see beautiful women with designer handbags, sipping on freshly brewed cappuccinos, or infused water, often with foils in their hair, or experiencing a micro-misting treatment at the basin. The Hyde Park branch features black chandeliers glistening from the ceiling, the salon is a hive of creative energy and excitement. It’s such a vibe!

David always treats you like a VIP at his salons, whether you are there for a new look, a touch-up or a toner, he always treats you like you’re the most important person in the room. I started seeing David just over a year ago, I had long, dark hair and told him that I wanted a new look, David smiled, and gave me a shoulder-length blunt cut (a girl has to stay on-trend right) and started making my hair lighter, until I became the beautiful ice blonde I am today.

David only uses Davines products in his salons, as he believes it’s important to keep your hair healthy while making it look beautiful, that’s how it stays looking full of life and that’s why I trust David Gillson with my image. When David tells me, I need to purchase a new shampoo, conditioner or treatment I do it, no questions asked because he never recommends products unless you absolutely need them.

My experience:

On my recent trip to London, I knew I had to visit David Gillson’s new salon which he co-owns with Debbie Postiglioni, since May this year. Issy’s is in one of the trendiest, most-exclusive areas in Belgravia, London. This salon is located on Elizabeth Street, home to exclusive stores, patisseries, and boutiques including the world-famous Peggy Porschen.

I had the pleasure of visiting Issy’s Belgravia and it was better than I ever imagined possible. The team is almost entirely South African which is really comforting when you’re in a foreign country. Even though you may not know them personally, there’s something about being around other women who have the same accent as you that immediately puts you at ease. The salon feels like home and the team is highly skilled and offer their knowledge for the best interest of your hair. This was my experience when I first walked in (on Halloween day).

I was welcomed by some goblins and ghouls, all with big smiles on their faces, it’s always a good sign when you see a team who gets along so well together and who has fun together, you immediately want to get involved. I was quickly escorted to a station where my expert stylist Jess Brown gave me a detailed consultation. I had quite a few warm tones in my hair and she asked if she could break them up a bit, I agreed. The next thing I knew, I had a glass of bubbles in hand, foils in my hair and we were laughing about joking and I was getting the inside scoop about where to go to see the most impressive Halloween décor in the area. It was so much fun being there. P.S. they offer 30% off colour on Sundays so book your session for a Sunday morning and then meet up with the girls at one of the gorgeous Patisseries on the street, it’s also just a hop, skip and jump from the underground. So it’s super convenient.

Going green

Issy’s, like all the salons David, aligns himself too is a full Davines salon, so naturally, Davines colour was used on my hair. Only the best products are used on your hair at Issy’s, including Davines view. This rang will leave your hair feeling silky and smooth while locking in your colour. Not only are the haircare products they use the greenest you can find, but when I was escorted to their basins to wash out my foils I found out that their taps are fitted with eco-heads and the towels used to dry your hair are Scrummi Eco Towels (15x more absorbent and made from biodegradable wood fibre). It’s phenomenal. They also have a super talented manicurist so you can get your hair and nails done at the same time. It’s so convenient. P.S. They use vegan nail polish.

I came into the salon with a washed, but not styled main with a few streaks that needed urgent attention, I’d only planned to come in for a blow-dry, but I left with streaks of glimmering gold and silver highlights and left feeling like a million bucks. I loved how Jess’s consult was spot on and I left looking as good as I felt, I was then off to explore the area, my hair looked too good not too. Issy’s Belgravia was an experience and one that I would highly recommend to anyone in the area. Expect to be impressed by the beautiful salon, how green it is, how knowledgeable the expert stylists are and that you’ll leave there looking like a movie star, but one thing that will surprise you is how it felt like home. Debbie has such a welcoming and nurturing presence; you can’t help but open up to her.

Her advice about the city was also spot on. She told us where to go to see the scariest Halloween decorations and she was spot on. See below. So, go on visit Issy’s next time you’re in London. You will not regret it and you’ll leave looking and feeling like a movie star.