State-of-the-art salon Izzazu opens Downtown
Stylists Emilio Cornacchione and Gino Chiodo envisioned a salon experience that would give Pittsburgh a new head-turning look.
The two traveled across the country, visiting state-of-the-art salons before creating the one-of-a-kind Izzazu Salon, Spa & Serata. The move took the original Izzazu from its Boulevard of the Allies home and transformed it into the 5,000-square-foot, street-level salon and spa, which just opened in Piatt Place, Downtown.
"The new salon is great," says client Patricia M. Lampert, a Peters resident and certified financial planner. "I was there on the first day they opened. It's truly unique."
Chiodo and Cornacchione spent close to $1 million to create their masterpiece.
"We spared no expense," Cornacchione says. "And if you take into account sweat equity, we spent more than $1 million. We believe we have put together the salon of the future. We designed it as a way to maximize client flow because we know your time is very important, so we want to be as efficient as we can. .... It's what we call the modern salon. We feel it is edgy, yet elegant, with beautiful warmth."
A grand opening is planned for Nov. 10.
"This salon is a dream come true," Chiodo says. "The design was inspired by our clients who are modern, elegant and edgy, so we wanted something that captured those three ingredients. We wanted the salon to be relaxing and soothing and to be the place where, if a group wants to come before they go out for an event, that they will have an intimate space to do that. That's why we created the serata."
Serata means evening in Italian. Perched above the main floor, a team of stylists give you and yours the royal treatment. With three, 72-inch mirrors, a cozy couch and nine workstations under a sparkling chandelier, this place offers relaxation and pampering for bridal parties, a girls night out or corporate functions.
Saturday, it was filled with wedding bliss. As brides had their makeup and hair done, soft music played in the background. Members of the bridal party snacked on bagels, chocolate-covered strawberries and a fruit tray, while mimosas and other tasty beverages were sipped.
"We were so well taken-care-of and they made us look great," said Diana Frank, 27, of Lincoln Place, who was preparing to marry Patrick O'Connell. "What a really cool ambiance. "
Bride Ashley Brooks, 25, of Greensburg, getting dolled up to marry Alan Quinn, brought her nine bridesmaids, a flower girl, mother of the bride and mother of the groom, two grandmothers, a godmother and a niece.
"There is no other place like this in the area," Brooks said. "Trust me, I looked. It was so nice to have all the girls in one spot. And they were able to accommodate all of us. "
Nothing in this salon is ordinary. From the soothing lighting to the colorful artwork on the walls, each inch of the space was carefully decided upon, Cornacchione says. When you walk through the glass doors from Fifth Avenue, you enter a spacious waiting area. Behind it are comfortable chairs and workstations with angled mirrors that are modern-looking and functional.
Cornacchione and Chiodo hired consultants such as lighting expert Linda Cardello from Cardello Electric to lend her expertise with proper lighting to create the best illumination for stylists and makeup artists. The general contractor was Joe Cardello, no relation to Linda, who helped in designing the space.
The spa area was created with tranquility in mind, Chiodo says. There is a relaxation room and massage, facial, pedicure and manicure areas. They incorporated dry wall that is eight times thicker than normal to make the area soundproof. The pedicure bowls are made from glass that illuminates with LED lighting. Feet are massaged while they are soaking.
Being in Piatt Place is a plus, Izzazu owners say.
Cornacchione says, "It is such a diverse neighborhood with so many choices, from shopping, to the salon experience, to dining. This is such a great location."
Izzazu attracted national attention when it hired John Vella as artistic director. He'll be traveling back and forth from Pittsburgh to the coast. He hopes to help create an atmosphere where stylists are more like artists in that they create an effect and not just a haircut.
Continuing education is key to keeping the most up-to-date salon. Well-known stylist Nancy Braun will continue to visit the salon to train stylists in the Balayage technique. Braun, who divides her time between the Christophe Salon in Los Angeles and the Teeluck Salon in New York City, is the foremost authority on this freestyle color technique.
"We want to offer the best of the best," says Cornacchione. "And having professionals such as John, Nancy and Michaela (Murray) in our salon is wonderful because they bring the latest techniques and styles from New York to L.A. ... to Pittsburgh."
A stylist's job takes passion and vision, Braun says, and Cornacchione and Chiodo have both.
"Part of our job is to be the professional and if we don't suggest what we believe is right, then we aren't doing our job," Braun says. "If stylists don't offer anything new and different at a salon, then it will be just like any other salon. I love this salon. I love the open space. It feels very New York."
Michaela Murray, a New York colorist who works at the salon in The Plaza Hotel in New York will spend time at Izzazu as well.
"I love this city," says Murray. "It has so much to offer. And I love this salon. Just take a look at the atmosphere of this salon. This will be the salon other salons will compare themselves to. It is sexy and chic, and I have never seen anything like it."
There remains a second Izzazu location in the Oxford Athletic Club in Pine.
Additional Information:
Izzazu International Salon, Spa & Serata
Grand opening: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 10, RSVP to pat@izzazu.com
Pricing: Haircuts from $35; Touchup highlights and balayage from $65; manicure/pedicure from $65
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays
Where: 301 Fifth Ave., Piatt Place, Downtown
Details: 412-325-1600
