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CHRISTOPHER LAIRD AND

EMMA-LOUISE CANTWELL

LAUNCH

NOVEMBER COLLECTIVE

Opening in August 2021, November Collective is a state-of-the-art hair and beauty
destination in buzzy Livingston, a short distance from Edinburgh. The brainchild of founders

Christopher Laird and Emma-Louise Cantwell, the space has been built from scratch to the
duo’s specifications and spans an impressive 150 square metres over two floors.
Named after the pair’s month of birth (they were born a year and a day apart), they plan to
provide an inclusive salon experience, offering services from ‘a hand-picked collective of
creatives.’

Having worked together for the last six years, Christopher and Emma recognised a potential
in their relationship to start a business together. ‘We are on the same wavelength and have a
natural way of working together, balancing out the other’s strengths and weaknesses.’

The duo fought off competition for the new building from brand giants Starbucks and Tesco,
with Emma convincing the landlord to take a chance on their vision. ‘We had looked at so
many units and even started the process with one, but something wasn’t right…We didn’t

think building our own salon would ever be an option. But the landlord listened to our ideas
and gave us the go ahead – he really believes in what we are going to create.’
Christopher and Emma were handed full creative control over the project and have worked
on designing a functional salon space with a natural flow. Glass fronted over three floors,
the salon is flooded with natural light, with the 32 Crittall-style windows acting as ‘picture
frames’ to the views outside; the main section looks out on a river and stunning woodland
which changes beautifully through the seasons. While the generous space allows for up to ten

styling stations, Christopher is keen to avoid a traditional salon layout. ‘I don’t want colour
clients having to sit in the same position while their colour develops, so we’ve added in
different zones – there’s nothing more intimidating than staring back at yourself in the mirror
for 45 minutes!’

The neutral, unisex interior was designed to be gimmick-free and to provide a ‘blank canvas’
in which to work. Luxurious materials – think oak floor, taupe leather chairs and green velvet
beauty stools – create a feeling of calm and are accented with lush botanicals and cleverly
created ‘zones’, each with their own scent. Christopher and Emma took inspiration from

places they had visited – five-star hotels, local bars and Ibiza spas – to ensure their salon
would appeal to a diverse clientele. ‘I’ve never been in a salon like it’ says Emma. ‘We only
wanted to do it once – and right.’