Janet Maitland Hair Excellence is celebrating its 45 anniversary this year, an incredible milestone for a hairdressing business.
Founded by the late Janet Maitland, the first salon opened in 1979 when she returned to Durham after a stint as a hairdresser on a Greek cruise line. Originally called Raffles, the salon was new and exciting for Durham, as Janet had trained in London and wanted to bring something different to the Northeast.
Some key highlights for the salon group from the last 45 years, include Janet becoming an Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional’s charity programme, Shaping Futures. Janet was honoured to work with young disadvantaged people in India, Jordan and The Philippines, giving them a future in hairdressing rather than them facing a life on the streets. Janet’s proudest moment was when she won Director of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2018, the first solo woman to win the award.
The salon group experienced devastating heartbreak in January 2021 when Janet sadly passed away. To mark 45 years in business and to honour Janet’s impact on the hairdressing community, the salon has created a new collection titled, Legacy. The Legacy collection is a celebration of Janet’s career and achievements in her hairdressing journey, showcasing a modern twist on some classic hair styles.
So, what does the future hold for Janet Maitland Hair Excellence?
Peter McDermott, Director at Janet Maitland, says: “For the moment all I can do is reflect on what a brilliant woman I was lucky enough to meet and who was daft enough to marry me. She was everything you would want a hairdresser to be - professional, caring, a fantastic trainer with a real soft spot for young people and those who struggled either professionally or with mental health issues. It was my privilege to have her in my life - just for not long enough. The last 45 years in business? I think Janet would have said ‘Strap yourself in, it’s going to be one hell of a ride!’
