Meet Amelia Herb | Craft-cut specialist & salon studio owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amelia Herb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amelia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Oof. Yeah, it’s not everyday we get to choose our paths. We think we do, but at the end of the day, the artistic, creative career chooses you. I’ve worked jobs where creative outlets were void. Everyday was dragging along until I could delve into to my real interests- things I could tangibly & spiritually feel balanced, calm, & in alignment with so to speak.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Sculpting shape & form from the human skull to align with one’s inner self, inner personality is not for the tender hearted. To some it’s a haircut, but to most, it’s an expression of inner self, an outer perception the world can deem digestible. This is an honorable task & when held to the highest standard, can bring a sense of community, confidence & self awareness to the client. This is one aspect of the hair industry I adore. The other, the business. I opened a disruptive version of the beauty industry. We don’t gender our services. It’s really none of our business what’s in your pants. We just want to create fantastic fucking hair for you. Like art, hair is genderless. This simple concept opens doors for stylists & clients to an endless array of concepts for their appearance. Androgynous shapes have catapulted the craft cut for all genders. It’s a beautiful thing. We opened our doors with the intent of creating a space for stylists to feel valued & appreciated for their talents & supported in their craft. We meet clients where they are- no judgment if they cut their own hair, use box dye or haven’t shampooed in days. Come as you are. Our studio space is in an old house with giant windows and a million disco balls cascading rainbow light around the room. I found this majestic space after having worked off my plant-loaded porch for two years prior during the pandemic. I knew I needed a space that felt like that, but had a.c. With time to reflect on what I would love to experience as a client and a fellow stylist, I opened my doors last year with the intent to create a unique space both visually and professionally. Stylists come and go on their own set schedule and clients book online 24/7 through our website. It’s so streamlined and transparent. A truly disruptive concept for salons, tbh.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Athens has an underground, townie side that lends itself to the deeper soul seeker, the gritty artist, the laid back creative so to speak. Woman-owned businesses in Athens have taken this unique approach of asking the question-how do you want to feel? And created spaces to do just that. Foxglove plant bar would be the first stop as we all need another potted plant in our lives & this space offers a pot it yourself (with worm casting) service. After getting our hands dirty, a trip to Athens downtown favorite local clothing shop, Community has the perfect hand-selected (in one of Frances small villages) vintage outfits. And since Dynamite, Athens cutest vintage shop is right across the street, we’d pop in both for a fresh fit out to dinner. Athens doesn’t shy from being known for their restaurants. Seabears oysters from P.E.I, Maine, & Nova Scotia are the perfect start to a lovely evening. Though I’m not a drinker, they make delicious mock tails. Which would inevitably take us to Old Pal, a historically preserved old world bar known for their seasonal cocktails. Ciné is our local historically preserved theatre and plays the most ideal indie films to date. They have a drive-in theatre as well that offers old films like dirty dancing and Beetlejuice for a touch of nostalgia. Athens is home to one of the most prolific botanical gardens in the state. That’s not to be skipped as it just opened the children’s garden. Mother load is Athens newest shop, with over 50 vendors, it offers a bit of everything from handmade clothes, pottery and mcm furniture. Another unique specialty Athens offers is an eclectic pottery scene. Southern Star Studio is a working studio and operates on Saturday as a viewing studio offering pottery for sale by the shops makers. The building itself speaks volumes of the type of artists inside. Donderos hosts one of the best brunches in town. It’s also located in an old Victorian home that still has the original wallpaper., a mural of sorts. Birchmore Trail is often overlooked, but a must. Fred Birchmore was a community treasure and left his land to become one of Athens sweetest forest hikes. Just over a mile, it comes equipped with a giant stacked rock wall. You’d have to hike toot to know it. The music scene is not to be missed and embodies much of Americas music culture. 40 watt club and Hendershots are two local gems to be discovered by out of towners.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This shoutout is by far dedicated to my work wife, Rachel Radford of Carrboro, NC.

Website: Ceremonysalonathens.com

Instagram: Ceremonysalon_ath

Other: instagram handles include: @hairsquares

Image Credits
Amanda Greene Photography (the polished, high pixel ones) 😉