La Belle Jolie

If ever a street was in need of some beauty treatment, it's Anerley Road. Fortunately at No.35, Renée Thornley not only dispenses facials, manicures and massage to her clients, but has also been actively campaigning for improvements to the rundown shopping parade where her salon is situated. 
When I arrive for the shoot, Renée is immaculately turned out as ever, with her instantly recognisable red 50s waves and vintage attire. Her glamorous look has been the basis of a successful career in the beauty industry. She spent several years as Spa Director of the Royal Garden Hotel Spa in Kensington, and later at the Refinery in Mayfair, before branching out on her own, travelling  the country doing vintage workshops; teaching people to create looks from the 20s to the 60s. A desire to have a base, and not spend all her time on the road persuaded Renée to take on the onerous task of transforming a dilapidated building into an elegant local oasis. This formerly squalid corner now twinkles with the hundreds of Swarowski crystals which Renée stuck to the Vymura diamond pattern wallpaper by hand.  And while her vintage loving clientele have come to her, she has also gained a loyal following from locals. Treatments range from manicures and pedicures, to waxing , electrolysis, massage, scrubs and wraps. Spa day packages are offered and hen parties catered for. 
Showing me around there is clearly much pride in what she has achieved. Beyond the reception is the treatment room with its french style furniture, and more will follow downstairs in the next phase of development. And that pride in her work and surroundings, clearly extends to the street outside. Even while I'm interviewing her, she dashes out to remonstrate with a careless lorry driver who has just reversed into an iron bollard. And all her words are backed up with actions. Renée and co-campaigners, Gill Wing, Amanda Sciberras and Elinor Michel set up the Anerley Regeneration Project, which successfully bid for a £25k from Bromley council to spruce up the area. Among the many projects of the ARP, has been the painting of a new mural on a blank wall down the road, and the restoration of the children's dinosaur mural adjacent to the station, in the park. Pavement improvements, new bins and benches, removal of estate agent boards, and redecorating of shopfronts, are all in the pipeline. And Renée's local involvement doesn't stop there; she also set up a new local online forum, Crystal Palace Life, which has proved hugely popular. Renée so nearly didn't become a local. Originally from South Wales, she escaped the green valleys for the urban grit of Elephant & Castle, and loved life there. Then a new partner, attempting to woo her to Crystal Palace, showed her the vintage delights of Church Road, and wined & dined her at Joanna's. Initially all to no avail, Renée's immediate response being "If I wanted trees, I'd have gone home to Wales". Fortunately she was won over and hasn't looked back since.

A collection of vintage cosmetics and fragrance

La Belle Jolie
35 Anerley Road

Book online 

The Murals

Artist: Angela Menezes

fortyseven

It's party season, and the invitations are already dropping into my inbox, including one that requests I come as my favourite Hitchcock character ! For guys the choice is rather limited. I've considered putting on a suit, lots of bronze foundation and dying my hair a shade of bluish grey, and going as Cary Grant in any role. Alternatively, I could just grab my camera, slip into some pyjamas, a dressing gown, and crutches, and make a plausible James Stewart in Rear Window. Girls on the other hand, have it much easier. They could simply nip down to Heather at No.47, who would whip up a Grace Kelly or Tippi Hedren hairdo with ease (and a few hairpieces.)

Heather Morris trained as a hairdresser back in the late 80s, and quickly specialised in wig making. She set up her salon in pharmacist, John Bell & Croyden, which you may know happens to be on Wigmore Street. How apt. A few years ago, Heather and her husband Sami decided to set up shop nearer home in South London. From the outset, it was to be more than just a hairdressers, both in terms of the ambience, and the fact that they sell clothing and accessories. The starting point for the interior, was the contents of a powder compact, so a foundation of flesh tones is highlighted with lipstick red and shimmering gold. The mix and match furnishings which range from local vintage finds, to ebay purchases, to Ikea basics, creates a relaxed boudoir space, in which clients are free to wander. 

Sadly, just as fortyseven had established itself on the Triangle, Heather's husband Sami passed away. Briefly, Heather considered shutting the business, but then realised that throwing away her dream was not going to improve a tragic situation. After all, she'd been cutting hair and making clothes since school, when as a 14 year old she should have been doing her homework, but knowing that one day she would have her own business. Hopefully Heather & the team at fortyseven will be adding sparkle to Westow Street for many years to come.

fortyseven

020 8771 7170

Graffiti by Paintshop Studio