Hairdresser extraordinaire Charlie Le Mindu has crash landed in London. For his British debut, he parked his L’Oreal Elnett rocket-ship on Kingsland Rd, took up residence in Catch Bar and offered up his highly skilled services for £10 per barnet. I’ve heard of bladdered men waking up with tattoos, but drunk kids daring each other for a Hoxton Comb-over or an Inverse Mohican…?

The child prodigy was ‘discovered’ at thirteen in his local salon. He studied at The French Hair Academy. Le Mindu’s touring barbershop began in Berlin with Modular parties at Rio Club, White Trash and Barbie Deinhoffs.

Corner of Catch Bar converted into Charlie's salon.

I decide to put my hair in Charlie’s hands. The gold renaissance mirror, retro plum swizzle and posters of punk-pimped poodles perfectly compliment Charlie’s Tim Burton-esque combo. Charlie suggests a 1920’s French bob. “It goes around the face like zis…” Why the hell not? My entire life I’ve sported mundane manes and strangely I trust Charlie with his over-sized frames, black parted crop-mop and Timmy Mallet trousers (trés cool). But when my hair becomes more Joan of Arc bowl cut than French bob all trust evaporates and I’m quietly riding through a saga of heart palpitations, manically smiling all the while.

The cardboard scissors on the wall were ominous...

C: “Is ok, yes?”
Me: “Oui, oui. Hahahahaha.”
C: “Er, where you get your ‘air cut befo?”
Me: “My local granny salon.”
C: “Ah! Zis is good! I like this, good for you!”
Me: “Who cuts your hair?”
C. “Er… I cut it myself. If not me, zen my friends.”

Charlie has a team of elegant assistants that saunter about decorated with various wig/hair paraphernalia. Mystery Jets' Henry Harrison is standing in the corner looking on. He’s blatantly longing for a short back and sides.

Charlie's spurned brother Timmy Mallet lurked in the shadows

Me: “Who’s hair is the hardest you’ve had to cut?”
C: “I think it was Peaches, the nightmare fairy tail…”
Me: “Is there anyone’s hair you’re dying to cut?”
C: “Cher! Those wigs have so much long hair to cut into. Wigs are better to work with because they’re thicker. You can do more with them. I loved cutting Carri Mundane (Cassette Playa) and Cobra Killer.”

I’m now looking at my new do. It’s neat, but it’s not ‘til Charlie finishes drying and styling that all my muscles relax and I sink into a deep state of relief and a deep sense of gratitude. It’s drastically different but it’s ‘me’. Charlie had known what I wanted all my life but I was never brave enough to go do it. Vivre Charlie Le Mindu!

Hammertime!

Charlie Le Mindu is now taking bookings at his Hackney salon on +44 7947 436313.
Alternatively, you can email enquiries@charlielemindu.com

Rates are £25 for men, £40 for women.