Unparalleled 145 is a leading independent hair salon in Kings Cross, London, known for its bold, experimental hair colours, unique styles, and creative atmosphere. Since opening in 2018, the salon has become a community hub featuring rotating local art installations and hosting occasional music and cocktail events. The salon's innovative approach earned it a place in the Treatwell Top Rated Selection in 2019.
I collaborated closely with Unparalleled 145 from its launch, working across branding, design, and event planning to help establish its identity and connect with the local creative community.
THE ROLE
As a freelance designer and creative consultant, I supported Unparalleled 145 with:
Brand Identity Development: Co-designing the salon's logo and visual identity.
Print and Digital Design: Producing business cards, flyers, and social media advertisements.
Community Engagement: Facilitating partnerships with local artists and securing permissions for pop-up events.
BRAND IDENTITY & DESIGN
One of my key contributions was the development of the salon's visual identity, including co-designing the logo. The logo features a bold 'X' motif within a circle, a versatile and striking design that works across various media. This design draws upon multiple themes:
King's Cross (locally referred to as 'Kings X')
Scissors
X marks the spot
Unparalleled Lines
I produced a range of branded materials, including business cards & flyers.
Early designs featured a colour splash detail from artwork by local artist Astrite Vula. These early designs lean into the rough, punky, messy, urban feel.
The second round of designs I decided to take the brand aesthetic into a softer, more humanist and cleaner direction, this involved using more pastel colours, handwritten style font and flattening the logo. I feel this direction is stronger and more professional.
SOCIAL MEDIA PROMO
I created the following animated Instagram ad showcasing the salon's distinctive hairstyles, using collage techniques to highlight its bold, punk-inspired identity. This was particularly effective during their post-lockdown reopening, celebrating their return with a dynamic visual narrative.
COMMUNITY & EVENTS INITIATIVES
Beyond design work, I played a central role in fostering community engagement through creative events
I organised the salon's opening event and a series of music and art nights, working with local artists and musicians, designing promotional materials, and collaborating with the local council to secure a temporary alcohol license for in-salon cocktail bars. Inspired by city-wide initiatives like Art Night London, I developed this mini art festival featuring live performances, including a set by Gigi Monrose, pop-up galleries in small businesses along Kings Cross Road, and an in-salon art exhibition, with posters and other promotional materials designed and distributed throughout the area.
The goal was to promote local businesses and emerging artists while providing an engaging cultural experience. Approximately 50 guests attended the event raising £200 through donations and the mini cocktail bar. While the festival was a success in raising the salon's profile, I recognized the need for more sustainable funding models and learned the importance of capturing guest data for future engagement.
LESSONS LEARNED & IMPACT
Working with Unparalleled 145 was an invaluable early experience in my freelance career. Key takeaways included:
Pricing & Value: I learned the importance of accurately pricing my work to cover both creative and logistical efforts while delivering high-value outputs for small businesses.
Community Building: Curating local art and organizing collaborative events created lasting relationships with artists and the wider creative community.
Strategic Planning: Through trial and error, I recognized the value of securing external arts funding and gathering audience data to sustain future initiatives.
The salon owner was highly satisfied with the branding, design, and community initiatives I delivered. My work established the salon as a creative space, fostering a loyal customer base and ongoing collaborations with local artists.
This project reinforced my passion for supporting small businesses through thoughtful design and strategic community engagement, a philosophy I continue to carry forward in all my work.
