Mads Stig Studio opens in what can only truly be described as annus horribilis, but for hair- and makeup artist Mads Stig and his husband and creative partner Emil Nissen, it’s always been important to keep their eyes open and see opportunities rather than obstacles. Mads Stig Studio is a physical manifestation of inspiration, art and a desire to create an experience that is out of the ordinary. With only a single chair, Mads Stig’s hair salon offers the attention, freedom and luxury we are all craving. Especially after enduring this year.
After almost a decade in the fashion industry, working with renowned clients in Denmark and internationally, Mads Stig felt a deep desire to create a physical space to receive clients. Leaving salon work behind to explore new opportunities years ago, opening Mads Stig Studio now felt like a necessary evil. With fashion editorials, Instagram and most of his brand being represented online, he wanted to claim his space and create a physical manifestation of his work. He wanted a place where he could express his creativity and curate an experience for his clients.
Mads Stig Studio represents a culmination of knowledge, skills and creativity and came to life in collaboration with the Spanish artist Guillermo Santoma, represented by Etage Projects, and his husband Emil Nissen. It will be the first salon in Denmark fully done by an artist, which reflex the notion of being cut within an art installation – also a new for the salon world. Showcasing his 20 years of knowhow, the salon is a representation of Mads Stig’s journey from hairdresser to a career as a hair- and makeup artist — working with titles like AnotherMan, Harper’s Bazaar, Eurowoman, ELLE, Euroman, Office Magazine, VOGUE, MyMagazine, among others, as well as brands like Skall Studio, Jack&Jones, Designer’s Remix, Lovechild, Vero Moda, Anne Sofie Madsen, Netflix, to name a few.
Mads Stig Studio will be the first salon to ever be created by Guillermo Santoma, who has received immense praise for his work — spanning from art installations, interior and the transformation of everyday objects into new ways of experiencing the world. Santoma was originally trained as an architect, with a Master’s degree in Design from Elisava Barcelona. With the artistic formula ‘to create is to destroy´, Santoma works to deconstruct the fixed images of design and has previously been exhibited at Etage Projects, Wer Haus, Palais de Tokyo and Museo Cerralbo. The concept and creative vision for Mads Stig Studio was created by Mads Stig and Emil Nissen in collaboration with Santoma and his partner Raquel Quevedo, who created the visual identity. Santoma, who was given full creative freedom, created every piece for Mads Stig Studio in his atelier in Barcelona. Mads Stig Studio is truly an embodiment of his craftsmanship, creativity and artistic expression, making the space an experience, rather than a salon.
“It's always been a dream of mine to have my own creative space. The realisation of Mads Stig Studio has allowed that dream to come into full fruition, and being able to share the process, in collaboration with so many amazing and talented people, truly completes my vision.”