At Ms. P's Hair Studio, there is no doubt who is the boss. As I stood outside to get a look at the storefront, a man came over to me to inquire what I was writing down. When I explained that I was walking on 118th Street, documenting every store front, he promptly pulled me inside, stating emphatically, "You'll want to talk to Paula."
Paula stood in the back with a client in a black robe, armed with a pair of scissors, a quick wit, and a commanding presence. As she continued to work, she began to tell me her story. A second-generation hair stylist, Paula came from a big family. When she reached adolescence, she went through a rebellious streak. So, when her mother said she had to do something, she tried to get a job at her aunt's salon...but her aunt "wasn't having it," and told Paula that if she wanted to work with her, she was going to have to go to beauty school. "My aunt put my ass on track," said Paula, laughing.
Since 2008, Paula has commanded her own studio, claiming her territory as the hair guru for the neighborhood. Not a large salon, but on a Saturday afternoon, each seat was taken. Women of every age bracket were having their hair done and chatting with one another, while pausing to add a humorous comment or two to the story that Paula was sharing with me.
Paula services a diverse clientele, including three funeral homes. She has seen to the hair of both the living and the dead, even when they are the same people. With a perfectly straight face, Paul explained that some of her clients have told their loved ones that they want Paula to do their hair when they pass away. "I like dead people better than y'all smart ass live people," she said staring at the people around her, "They don't complain...and it pays the bills."
Ms. P's Hair Studio is by no means just a hair salon - it is a staple of the community, of which Paula takes an active role. Alongside her work as a hair stylist, she often hosts neighborhood events that help to educate people on the issues she cares about, including the Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Day, Breast Cancer, and even a children's book reading event.
When I asked if she continues to enjoy what she does, Paula responded, "I would love to just dress and rest, but since I have to make a living, I might as well do this." Upon leaving, I thanked the gentleman who invited me in, initially, and then asked him, what his relationship to Paula was. With a sly smile on his face, he proudly answered, "I am her husband." Just as I had suspected.
