David Murray @ 21 is a salon driven by standards, creativity and constant evolution. For David Murray, it is far more than a place of work.
“At our core we are a salon that strives for perfection,” he says. “We take pride in making our clients look and feel amazing. In the fast changing world of fashion we stay at the top of our game through constant training.”
For David, the salon represents a space to create every day. A place where fashion, people and passion come together, and where clients can step away from busy lives and leave feeling renewed. “I never understand when people say they would rather go to the dentist than the hairdressers,” he says. “A salon should be an escape from busy lives, where you leave feeling like a new person.”
From local beginnings to a global stage
David’s journey into hairdressing began early. At just sixteen, he left school and started working in Peter Mark in the town centre. “From day one I knew it was the career for me,” he says. “But I also knew I wanted more than just the salon life. I recognised the many opportunities this industry could offer.”
Those opportunities soon took him beyond the salon chair, into shows, shoots, backstage and onstage work, and eventually onto the international stage. Before the era of social media, recognition came through competitions. “It was a lot of hard work and dedication,” David recalls. “But when your work is appreciated by your peers it makes it so worthwhile.”
Despite global awards and international recognition, David has always remained rooted locally, building his career and his salon at home.
Staying relevant in a changing industry
After decades at the top of his craft, David’s creative drive shows no signs of slowing. “The world keeps changing, fashion keeps changing,” he says. “If you don’t move with it you get left behind.” Working alongside other highly creative people keeps ideas fresh, with constant collaboration and conversation helping to push boundaries.
The hair and beauty industry itself has shifted dramatically, particularly with the rise of social media. David is candid about both its influence and its challenges. “People have unrealistic expectations because they see someone going from black to blonde in a one minute reel,” he explains. “There are also hairdressers who become social media famous but are not always the most qualified to be giving advice.”
It was one of the reasons David decided to build his own online presence. “It’s here to stay whether we like it or not,” he says. His days now reflect the global nature of his work. “Today started at 8am in the salon,” he says. “By 1pm I was on a plane to Amsterdam for meetings, and hopefully I’ll fit a run in somewhere along the way for my sanity.”
Passing on knowledge and building community
Mentorship and education are central to David’s philosophy. In an industry where image can sometimes overshadow skill, he believes training matters more than ever. “In a world where people pass themselves off as experts on social media, it’s more important to focus on training and education,” he says. “I’m deeply passionate about passing on knowledge. I love seeing that spark when someone gets it.”
That commitment extends beyond the salon walls. For the past three years, David has been developing an education programme for stylists, which has recently launched across Europe. “I believe education is key to success in every industry,” he says. “Building a well trained, motivated team is paramount.”
The role of the salon within the community became especially clear to David during the pandemic. “We provide a service that is so much more than hairdressing,” he reflects. “We are counsellors, confidants and friends to our clients. We go through every major life event with them.” He sees it daily. “For some people it’s their only social outing of the week, so it has to be special.”
Looking back, David has had many pinch-me moments, including being invited to show at the Royal Albert Hall at one of the most prestigious events in the hairdressing calendar. Yet his greatest pride comes from seeing his team succeed. “I’m always most proud when I see members of my team achieve their goals.”
As for success now, after everything he has achieved globally, David’s definition has changed. “Success to me now means having time to drink cocktails on a beach with family and friends a bit more often than when I first started out.”
