It’s time for Thiruvananthapuram to go the Ambika Pillai way. The acclaimed hair stylist and make up artiste is opening her new branch in the capital city this Sunday.
A bundle of energy that she is always, Ambika is over the moon while talking about spreading her wings. “I am extremely excited. It’s been exactly one year since I opened my first branch in Kerala, in Kochi. I waited for a year so that I could get a feel of Kerala. Also, I wanted to see how my staff members were coping since they were staying away from their respective homes. Now everybody is excited about coming to the city,” she bubbles over the phone.
“The reception has been much better than what I had expected. In fact, people have been coming from Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and even as far as Salem and Nagercoil for a hair cut or make up. Also, there is the non-resident Keralites' crowd who come in for a hair cut and then enjoy their holiday. And, of course, there have been people who just walk in to meet me, take a photo with me, or just give me a warm hug and a kiss... It has been so wonderful,” she says.
As for the Thiruvananthapuram branch, it is different from her other branches. It is the first ever branch to be opened on a partnership basis. And joining her are her three nieces – Gayathri Govind and her sister Gouri Govind, who are daughters of Ambika’s first cousin, and Pallavi Devika, daughter of her younger sister Devika.
“This is something very special for me. It feels so great that at such a young age they are ready for the experience,” she says.
Somebody who has been critical about the Malayali mindset towards make-up and hair styling, Ambika finds that there has obviously been a change. But nobody wants a total make over, she says.
“For example, they want a hair cut, but don’t want to reduce the length of the hair. Though most girls want to keep their hair short, they are worried about how the family would feel. In fact, they like the change on somebody else, not on themselves! Also, we have still not got out of that ingrained belief that one should wash the hair everyday. Though I tell them that it is not advisable to do so, people can’t accept that,” she says.
Ambika says all the products of brand Ambika Pillai will be available at the new branch. Actress-dancer Shobhana inaugurates the branch on Sunday at 11 a.m.
To mark the occasion, a special event will be held at Hotel Leela for an invited audience at 7.30 p.m. on the same day. There will be dance performances by Shobana and Rima Kallingal and a fashion show. “Also, I will be doing a live hairstyling demo for the audience. It is the first time in my career that I will be doing it for a live audience. And I am transferring an elaborate look on to my daughter Kavitha,” she says.
The branch is opposite Trivandrum Club, Vazhuthacaud. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on all days except Tuesdays.
