Top London stylist to open exclusive salon at the Walpole Bay Hotel

Jerome Hillion, a former British Avant Garde category winner in the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards, is to open a luxury hair and beauty salon in Margate’s iconic Walpole Bay Hotel on 5th April.

Inspired by the same skies and seascapes which also attracted the artist JMW Turner to the area, French born Jerome Hillion is relocating his London salon in order to live and work on the east Kent coast.

Jerome met and fell under the spell of the Walpole’s enigmatic owner, Jane Bishop, in June last year and was greatly impressed with the breath-taking hotel and with Jane's great enthusiasm and passion for the area. He could not resist the temptation of sharing the ambition to open a high end salon in the famous Margate institution.

Jerome will offer both men and women a unique VIP hairdressing and make over experience in luxurious surrounds of a “creative and magical hotel.”

“The bijou style salon, which fits with perfectly with our quirky image, will be located in the old sewing room on the hotel’s fifth floor, which involves a trip from reception inn our 1920’s Otis trellis caged lift,” said Jane Bishop, adding, “Known for his work in fashion shows and pop videos, many of Jerome’s loyal fan base will make the trip from London, which will further invigorate the burgeoning Thanet style scene.”

Jerome Hillion began his successful career over twenty years ago in France where he studied hair and make up in a prestigious private academy. He then moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands where he ran his own salon and worked as a freelance hair and make up artist on photo shoots in London and Paris.

After seven years in the Channel Islands, Jerome moved to London to train for the British Avant Garde category in the British Hairdressing awards, which he won in 2005.

Jerome then opened his own salon ‘Hair’, which he rebranded ‘Moderne London’ in 2012, in the fashionably Spitalfields area in London, where he established an international clientele and became a guest artist at the Schwarzkopf and RedKen Academies.

Jerome’s session career continues with regular trips to London, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg and Portofino, working for fashion designers, artists and private clients.

“I’d reached the stage in my career where I’ve achieve what I want to in the capital and wanted to downsize and move to the coast – I love Thanet – but wanted to still be close enough to my London clientele,” said Jerome.

Many regulars will stay at the Walpole and overnight guests will, receive a 20 per cent discount off hair and beauty treatments. Locals will also receive a similar discount for their first visit.

Prices for a cut and blow dry start from £34 for men and £57 for women. Express 30 minute make up costs £25. Bridal one hour bridal make ups cost £45.

For more information visit, walpolebayhotel.co.uk.