Change is in the hair
L.A.-based hairstylist Johnny Wright gained a measure of notoriety this summer after it was revealed that he’d been doing Michelle Obama’s hair for a year, and was flown to the Democratic Convention in Denver to mind her locks there all week.
But apart from Wright relocating across the country, Mrs. Obama will need another, local option when she takes up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Yeas & Nays talked to some of the top hair salons in D.C. and found that no one has talked to the Future First lady yet, but many are planning and eager for the chance. Dennis Roche, owner of the Roche Salons downtown and in Georgetown, is “giving them time to transition” to D.C. before he approaches them, but feels his salon, with ethnic hair experts, is perfect for the job. Another plus: Roche was the choice of the Clinton administration, “doing everyone from Bill Clinton to George Stephanopoulos; everyone except Hillary.” Like Obama herself, Roche claims his salon is “more progressive” than most (“Republicans are not our type of client,” he says).
The transition, then, could be bad news for Toka Salon in Georgetown, which has styled Laura Bush since her husband’s second inauguration.
OK, so where did Hillary go? The role of First Hairdresser during the 90s went to Bernard Portelli of Okyo Salon in Georgetown, who is armed with a portfolio of not only Mrs. Clinton, but also other famous coifs like Katie Couric, Elizabeth Dole and Larry King. Portelli said he hadn’t been contacted.
Mrs. Obama could also pick the salon across M Street — George’s Salon at the Four Seasons — a regular morning stop for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
But another Georgetown salon can also make a compelling argument, with its tie to FOB (“Friend of Barack”) Oprah Winfrey. Erwin Gomez, owner of Erwin Gomez Salon, was “incredibly excited” to tell us that Oprah Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions, has hired his team to style Ali Wentworth, wife of Stephanopoulos, for her weekly appearances on Oprah.
Until Mrs. Obama makes a local choice, the contenders can practice their skills with the flatiron (the tool Wright has said he uses most). Beyond that, all they can do, in the words of the Obama campaign, is hope.
