Inside Electric Space: How Celebrity Hairdresser Mark Woolley Is Reinventing the Modern Salon

London has no shortage of exceptional hair salons. But tucked away in Fitzrovia, behind an unassuming façade on Rathbone Place, is something altogether different. Forget the conveyor-belt appointments, rows of identical styling chairs and rushed consultations. Electric Space is less hair salon and more private members’ club for the creative industries—a destination where artistry, hospitality and individuality come together under one beautifully restored roof.

The vision belongs to one of Britain’s most respected hairstylists, Mark Woolley, founder of Electric Hair and the driving force behind a concept quietly redefining what a luxury salon experience should be.

More than a salon

Spread across five floors in a former gallery once occupied by Banksy’s long-time representative, Lazarides Gallery, Electric Space feels unlike anywhere else in London.

Yes, there are beautifully designed salon floors flooded with natural light, but that’s only the beginning.

There’s a private cinema, photographic and film studios, meeting lounges, an organic juice bar, concierge service, event spaces, VIP styling areas, beauty rooms and even a technical store stocking multiple professional colour brands. The atmosphere is closer to Soho House than a traditional hair salon—a place where creatives gather, collaborate and inspire one another.

Electric Space was conceived as a home for independent hairstylists, photographers, filmmakers, makeup artists, advertising creatives and fashion professionals. Membership isn’t simply purchased; applicants are selected based on their work, creativity and what they can contribute to the wider community.

It’s an approach that reflects Woolley’s philosophy that great creativity thrives in the right environment.

Creativity by design

“The inspiration was always to encourage creativity,” Woolley explains. “The entire space is designed to breathe creativity.”

Rather than operating as a conventional salon where stylists work independently behind their own chairs, Electric Space has become a collaborative hub where ideas flow as freely as conversation.

The result is an energy that’s difficult to manufacture—a place where clients aren’t simply booking a haircut but stepping into London’s creative heartbeat.

Meet the man behind Electric

Spend just a few minutes with Mark Woolley and it becomes immediately obvious why Electric has earned such an enviable reputation.

Despite decades at the top of the industry, he remains refreshingly down to earth. Conversations effortlessly move from amusing stories of his early years sweeping salon floors to developing one of Britain’s most respected professional haircare brands.

He speaks with genuine enthusiasm, warmth and humour, and perhaps most importantly, an unmistakable passion for hairdressing.

That passion extends beyond the chair.

Today, alongside his award-winning salons, Woolley has developed Electric Hair, a professional product range trusted by stylists and consumers alike. Every formula has been created from decades of hands-on experience rather than marketing trends.

One standout is the ºC-5 Volume Liquid Mist Black—something of a secret weapon for anyone with fine or flat hair. Delivering instant texture, volume and body without heaviness, it’s the sort of product that transforms a hairstyle in seconds while remaining effortlessly wearable.

Like much of the Electric range, it embodies Woolley’s practical philosophy: products should work hard while making styling feel easy.

Why one stylist should colour and cut your hair

One of Woolley’s strongest beliefs challenges a long-standing salon tradition.

For years, clients have routinely seen one colourist and another stylist for their cut. Increasingly, Woolley believes that model belongs to the past.

“The world today is about creating something completely bespoke,” he says.

“Consumers are incredibly switched on now. They’re not prepared to feel like they’re on a conveyor belt.”

Instead, he believes colour and cutting should work together as one seamless creative process.

“The more a hairstylist can do for a client, the better service they’re providing. Colour and cut have to work in synergy to create something completely tailored to the individual.”

It’s an approach that mirrors luxury hospitality itself—personalised, considered and designed around the individual rather than a standardised process.

The Future of Luxury Hairdressing

Electric Space represents far more than another premium salon. It is a creative ecosystem that seamlessly combines the feel of a private members’ club, a luxury salon, a collaborative studio and an education hub under one roof. In an industry often driven by speed and volume, Mark Woolley has created a space that celebrates craftsmanship, collaboration and individuality, where both clients and creatives are encouraged to slow down and enjoy a more considered experience.

The result is a destination where exceptional service sits alongside artistic excellence, independent talent flourishes and creativity is regarded as the ultimate luxury. For those who believe a great haircut should feel as bespoke as a tailor-made wardrobe or a carefully curated journey, Electric Space offers a compelling glimpse into the future of modern hairdressing.

Electric Space

11 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1HR

For more information, visit www.electric-hair.com or explore the professional Electric Hair product collection.