Bumble and bumble opens salon in new virgin atlantic clubhouse

A Bumble and bumble salon is one of the star attractions of the brand new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at New York's JFK airport.

The first salon of its kind in any American business class lounge, the recently-opened space is an integral part of the brand new £7million Clubhouse designed by Slade Architecture in collaboration with the Virgin Atlantic in-house design team and inspired by the theme, 'Understatedly Uptown, Unmistakeably New York.'

At 10,000 square feet, the new Clubhouse is more than double the size of the original lounge and features distinctive zones inspired by areas of New York including the Central Park Lounge - complete with cocktail bar and billiards table. 

Luke Miles, head of design for Virgin Atlantic said: "Our vision was to create an experience that unravels and gets richer each time our guests stay with us. Our Clubhouse at JFK has always been a favourite of our clients. Married with a fantastic service culture, JFK now promises to be a very special and memorable experience."

Providing Virgin Atlantic's first class customers with the very best in complimentary pampering and grooming, the lounge also boasts a Dr Hauschka spa - also the first of its kind.

Rebecca Creer, senior spas and salons manager said: "It's been 21 years since Virgin Atlantic introduced the world's first business class spa at Heathrow in London offering complimentary treatments to our Upper Class passengers, and we are now very excited to be able to offer treatments at both ends for passengers travelling to and from JFK. We are also delighted that Virgin Atlantic has found two equally well-respected partners to bring the JFK spa vision to life."

Launched in New York in 1977, with two flagship New York City salons and a dominating presence backstage at New York Fashion Week, Bumble and bumble is a brand synonymous with the city, making it the perfect partner for the airport salon.

Virgin Atlantic worked closely with Bumble and bumble to ensure the brand is perfectly represented in its new space with a dividing wall of products, the same vintage hairdryers found in their flagship salons and footage from backstage at their most recent shows streaming on screens.

Demonstrating a dedicated attention to detail, wallpaper in the salon features three contrasting textures, lifted directly from the packaging of Bumble and bumble's iconic hairsprays. A glass wall in the salon goes one step further, celebrating all 36 different patterns from the brand's product ranges.

In keeping with the luxurious surroundings of the Clubhouse, the salon is also fitted out with alabaster terrazzo flooring, with two chairs, a backwash unit and other fixtures provided by Takara Belmont - as well as a phenomenal view across the tarmac. Staffed by three stylists working on rotation, the salon provides cuts and treatments, as well as dry styling to ensure guests look at their best before travelling.

A full range of products are available for sale, with the Seaweed range also available for use by guests in the Clubhouse showers.

The new space was unveiled at a glittering party hosted by Sir Richard Branson himself and attended by 150 valued customers, staff and members of the international press.

Including an acoustic set from KT Tunstall, cocktail competition and trial treatments, the launch party showed off the spectacular new space to the very best of its ability. 

Addressing the crowd, Sir Richard said: "We started the airline 28 years ago with a secondhand 747 and our head office was substantially smaller than this lounge. So how do you stay successful over the years? Hire wonderful people who are proud of working for the company and make sure that you get the small details are right." 

And with a beautiful Bumble and bumble salon keeping Virgin Atlantic's customers coiffed to perfection, JFK is sure to find itself with a few more frequent flyers enjoying a spot of pre-flight pampering.