You may or may not remember a time when David Beckham wasn’t the most famous man on the planet.
It was strange – you could walk down the high street without seeing 12ft statues of Golden Balls’ golden balls underneath H&M boxers, and women didn’t collectively swoon at the mere sight of him – or at least not as often.
Partly to blame/applaud for helping mould the image of our national treasure is Adee Phelan.
Hairdresser to the stars and the man who designed Beckham’s infamous Mohawk which he sported at the 2002 World Cup before it was imitated by millions.
After becoming a brand (and a millionaire) in his own right, Adee has launched a number of salons under his own name, one of which now resides in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Entrusted with looking after the salon is 24-year-old Rob Czlapka, who will be able to put his own stamp and style on clients from the heart of the city’s ‘trendy’ area.
Despite being open for two months already, Adee Phelan NQ officially opened on Thursday with a launch party attended by salon staff and a number of famous faces.
The party heralded the branding of the salon, with the famous hairdresser’s name now emblazoned on the window, and a red carpet to greet those on arrival.
Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent, former X Factor contestant and hairdresser Marcus Collins, Strictly Come Dancing star Chelsee Healey and The Apprentice’s Francesca MacDuff-Varley were in attendance to wish Rob the best on his way.
The stylist brought the party to the room beneath his salon, which will soon house a 40-seat cinema, to screen a film about the new venture before heart-warmingly presenting his parents with gifts to thank them for all their help.
Full of quirky personal touches, Adee Phelan NQ has original 70’s geometric patterns on one wall, 100-year-old antlers on another, as well as a piano.
Despite the fanfare and Rob’s early success, it hasn’t always been such an easy ride.
Speaking to MM, he said: “I came out as gay when I was 12 when my sister told my parents, then I got into hairdressing at 14.
“I immediately loved it and it was an escape because I got bullied at school. It turned out I was quite good at it and it’s all gone from strength to strength!”
After starting off hairdressing in Barnsley, Rob moved to Sheffield for work, before receiving a phone call in December last year.
A friend of Adee Phelan asked Rob if he would like to own his own salon, so a meeting was set up with the man himself and Adee Phelan NQ was born.
“The salon hasn’t got a clinical feel like others,” he added.
“Half the time you have to kick the clients off the sofa to actually cut their hair because they’re too comfortable there.”
While many would be astounded at Rob’s success at such a young age, his ambition stretches even further.
“I see all those people who are on TV and the same age and they’ve done a lot more.
“Look at Rihanna, she irritates you because she’s only one year older than me and she’s got £65million!”
Marcus Collins, the X Factor’s hairdressing starlet, has just finished a UK tour of the musical Hairspray and has been presenting on CBBC.
He took time out of his busy schedule to pop over from Liverpool to Manchester.
He told MM: “As a hairdresser who’s looking into opening a business this year it seems like a good idea for me to come out and see what the latest thing is.
“Adee is known for being up to date with the latest things. He’s just brought out a colour remover and it’s the latest technology – I’d say he is one of the frontrunners in hair technology.
“Rob and I are also the same age, it’s nice to see people going into business young and it’s nice to see Rob doing so well.”
After all the hype surrounding the launch, you would be forgiven for thinking the prices must be tailored to the likes of Becks.
However, a ladies cut & finish starts from just £22 with a junior stylist, with a gents cut starting from £29.
Luckily, Rob has the full support of Adee, who travelled up from London to attend the party.
Adee said: “I was 29 before I started hairdressing and to get so many people turning out like this when you are starting out is fabulous.
“The shop looks cool and the location is really cool. This is the first salon I’ve not had an input in but I’m very proud of it.”
