The Friendly City has already brought you a dancing traffic officer and a singing cop — but now there is a hairstylist who busts a move with every cut.
Meet Jesse Gallant, 28, who serves up a little entertainment with each new style.
The dancing salon owner’s snips and grooves have been trending on TikTok and Instagram.
Gallant said the first salon he worked for after matriculating in 2016 was M Studio in Algoa Park, where he would often break out into dance with the owner — and their clients would often join them too.
After gaining the relevant experience, he opened his own salon, Stay Faded in Richmond Hill, which celebrated its fourth birthday in January.
However, he said it was his love for gqom music (African electronic/house music) and dancing that saw his salon gain national attention.
“When I started on TikTok, I tried pushing the trends, but it just didn’t feel authentically me.
“Then, I thought, maybe I should just show them what I do in my salon on a day-to-day basis.
“Music is at the heart of my salon. It creates a vibe.”
He said a client who shared his love for gqom music started recording him in the salon a few months ago.
“I posted the video in three parts and received a million views.”
He said while he loved to groove to the beat while doing hair, it also depended on the client and if they preferred a more relaxing salon experience.
But thanks to his TikTok videos, he has seen customers stream into the salon from as far as KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town and Johannesburg for the unique experience.
Also a multi award-winning hairstylist and model, he felt his fashion sense complemented his videos.
In 2023, together with a co-worker, Gallant flew to Dubai and then to Spain the next year as an ambassador at a hair show.
“It was amazing being part of an international team.
“I love carrying a part of home with me, so I would ask for an afro model.
“They were fascinated by sponge curls, which is such a simple hairstyle for us back home,” Gallant said.
The Gqeberha trendsetter has also partnered with digital creator and entrepreneur Chad Jones.
He hoped to inspire the youth to have enough courage to chase their dreams even if they were not supported by loved ones.
He said at the start of his career, his family questioned his desire to become a hairstylist.
Gallant said growing up in Timothy Valley in Gqeberha’s northern areas had its own ups and downs.
However, he encouraged the youth not to get involved with the social ills they were too often exposed to.
“Growing up, we lived in a caravan. I used to pretend it was a space ship.
“But that is why I carry this humbleness with me still today.
“With my dad not being there, my mom worked from 8am to 5pm.”
He said while he was left to his own devices during the day, he made a decision to keep his head down and work hard to make a name for himself.
“My wanting to be a hairstylist was rejected by my family. How do you explain to your mom that you want to be a barber?
“In our area, there were not many barbers to set a good example for us. But I was still inspired and started cutting hair from home.
“The uncles and aunties would tell me that it is just a phase.
“Eventually, when I went to college to study an international hairstyling course, their mindsets changed.
“I started travelling and winning competitions.
“So, my message is, ‘do not give up on your dreams’,” Gallant said.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.