Beauty Spot: VOI
Without bothering with combs, brushes or hairdryers, Dario Chicco can afford to provide a stress-free star stylist service at what is (comparatively) a snip
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Chicco's fingers have taken care of the Rolling Stones and Santana
You’d never guess Dario Chicco’s nimble
hands had once teased the tresses
of Santana and The Rolling Stones.
The hairdresser is as unassuming as
his modest studio, tucked away on
the seventh floor of the Diamant Hotel.
There’s no garish marketing, no
advertising splashed over magazines.
In fact, when Time Out arrives at the
newly renovated hotel reception even
the staff exchange baffled glances,
“There’s a hairdresser in here?”
Despite apparent attempts to duck
out of the spotlight, Dario’s natural
hair flare has never disappeared
under the radar. The Sydney-based
stylist has been on the scene since
1964, and after managing several successful
salons in Melbourne, opened
VOI in 1985 in Paddington. Having
always relied entirely on word of
mouth business, it’s testament to his
skills that the country’s most popular
publications including Vogue have
been seeking out his professional
opinions for years.
Chicco’s stress-free, no-fuss modus
operandi in life is reflected in the
salon. The room boasts only the bare
necessities – a couple of unremarkable
chairs, a pearly sink and a
mirror. That’s the lot.
There’s none of the usual paraphernalia
cluttering the cosy quarters
either. No blow dryers, gaudy high
tech equipment or army of overpriced
hair products in sight. Even
the rigmarole of a typical trim has
been cut out, so to speak. During our
entire experience, the hair guru didn’t
even pick up a comb or a hairbrush,
choosing to use his fingers with skilful
dexterity to navigate the hair.
“If you work with the hair,” he
explains over the soft jazz music
reverberating around the space, “and
you have a good cut then there is
very little reason for blow-drying and
products. If the hair is cut in the right
way it will sit well in any conditions.”
The results speak for themselves.
Not only does our hair take on a new,
more glam persona it was achieved
without the otherwise obligatory
lengthy head burning blow-dry
and sticky product application.
Dario’s cool and casual European
airs match his enviable work-life
balance. With a three and a half day
working week, two-hour lunch breaks,
and a constant stream of customers,
this successful stylist seems to have it
made. Any chance of a job?
VOI, Diamant Building, 2B/14 Kings
Cross Road, Potts Point (02 9361
5735, www.voihaircuts.com.au).
Prices start from $80.