The Community’s Hairdresser – Galina Bogdanova

What is the history of Galina Hair Studios?

“I came to the UK 23 years ago with the dream of opening my own hair salon. When I first saw the shop, here at 14 Bell Lane, I instantly loved it. I knew it would be perfect for me, and so I signed a 20-year lease! I didn’t know much about the area at that time, but I liked the neighbourhood. It felt full of life.

Petticoat Lane was very different back then and it wasn’t easy, but I’ve watched the area transform over the years. When they introduced the weekday market, people started coming here more, and the area started glowing with new opportunities.”

What was the process of building a business like?

“I didn’t know how business worked here when I started, and I had to learn a lot. It was a long process and I struggled, but we got there in the end.

The first challenge was actually building the salon, which I did myself. I learnt how to decorate, how to build every pipe, install the electricity, do the flooring. I had a vision of how I wanted it all to look, and I took that idea and made it happen.

The next challenge was to make people aware of the salon. The internet wasn’t that great yet and this area wasn’t popular, so I didn’t have a way to reach people in the City. But I tried everything, like going out with leaflets every morning in the hope that people would notice me.”

Where does your passion for hairdressing come from?

“When I was young, my father used to buy me dolls. The first thing I would always do with them is cut their hair – it was such a satisfying feeling. As I got older, I started cutting my family and friends’ hair. My mum saw this and secretly signed me up for hairdressing school. I enjoyed it so much.

I didn’t start working as a stylist right away. I tried different jobs, but they just felt wrong. It was hairdressing that made me happy, so I returned to it. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a client’s face light up when they love their new look. It’s my favourite part of my job – meeting these people, doing their hair and hearing their stories. It means a lot to me and I cannot imagine my life without it.”

What makes Galina Hair Studios different?’

“I work with my clients from the beginning through to the end. When I do their hair colour or highlights, I’ll do it in a specific way. Then I cut it in specific way to show off this beautiful thing I’ve done, and afterwards I want to blow dry it in a way that shows it all together. This is my vision, my way. If I give it to another person, they’ll have different ideas. They will do it nicely, but the end result won’t be what I created in my head.

Every hairdresser has their own vision, and I want to give my client one idea that we agree together and take through, from start to finish. That is what makes Galina Hair Studios different.”

Do you have any at-home tips for healthy hair?

“I think one thing people need to realise is that they shouldn’t wash their hair every day. Our hair is supposed to have these natural oils to help it grow, and when you wash it you’re stripping that away, which means it will then overproduce to replace. There are little tricks to help with this – rinse with just water, or add in a little lemon juice to balance the grease. They’re little tips, but they make a big difference.”

Pop by for a wash, trim, or a complete restyle under Galina’s expert hands.

We guarantee you’ll leave feeling like a whole new person.