15 Minutes with Fracnky L’Official.

- Francky L’Official

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own your own hair salon? Imagine; you study to be a doctor, then life throws you a trip to NYC during Fashion Week. Concrete jungle, The place were dreams are made of.

My mission for this article was to interview a New York City salon owner and find out what the season’s hottest trends are. However, just like Francky L’Official went from studying to be a pediatrician; to becoming one of New York’s hottest salon owners and most sought after hair guru’s; So did my article, it went from being about trends to being about the most trendy in the industry.

Just like the blunt bob cut that Francky did for Katie Holmes; I cut my fall/winter hair trend “Sheared Beauty” article to “15 Minutes with Francky L’Official.” Below you will read why! They say that “dogs look like their owners,” I wonder if the same applies to salons and their owners? The Francky L’Official Salon located on one of the most prestigious (yes we still have them) avenues in New York -Madison Avenue, is much like it’s owner. Sexy, Trendy, Flawless, Sophisticated and above all what the French call “Tres Chic.” (I had to go there!) So, to answer my own question – yes, it does!

Fall had arrived in New York, and so had I with my photographer, Natasha Montero.

-Destination: 1117 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10028, The Francky L’Official Salon.

-Mission:  To gather Fall/Winter hair trends ‘09/’10

-Accomplished: A phenomenal interview with a dynamite guy, Francky L’Official and of course highlighting and low-lighting Fall/Winter hair trends.

As we arrived at the salon we were greeted by a super friendly staff.(I almost had to walk outside to see if I was in a salon) I am so used to the snotty, arrogant “holier then thou”, Edward Scissorhands attitude of some in the industry, that right away I knew The Francky L’Official Salon and Francky were going to be a breath of fresh air.

The Salon was pumping. The music, the clients, the hair dryers, the stylists. The place was on fire. All of this on a Monday’s mid-afternoon! Francky and I whisked ourselves into the only area of the salon that was free. Two empty white leather salon chairs in the back of the salon. I knew time was limited, anyone would have, Clients after Clients were pouring in. So right away, I made the decision to only take up fifteen minutes of Francky’s time. I could have spent the whole afternoon, after all when do you meet someone that is down to earth, well traveled and not full of shit.. Seldom! So, I dove right into the interview.

MT: You have such an amazing biography you have been in New York since 2005 and I think have done more fashion shows then models during fashion week! What brought you to NYC?

FL: Honestly, I came to New York to be a trainer for hairstylists. My goal was to be here three months and go back to France.

MT: Three months turned into…

FL: Five years. (Laughs.)

MT: While you were in France, were you doing hair?

FL: I was doing everything in the world, I was living everywhere, I was in France for six months and got bored.

MT: You have traveled the globe and have lived in so many exotic places. You were living in Brazil…

FL: Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, Madagascar.

MT: Everywhere! (we both laugh) So you are a “seasoned traveler” no?

FL: For sure.

MT: Now, you arrived in New York City in 2005. Did you have any idea that you would have your own salon on Madison Avenue?

FL: No! No, The salon has been here for twenty years and when I met my business partner (who passed away last year) He liked my name, my style and we started like that since 2005.

MT: Your name is quite intriguing “Francky L’official” – perfect for a salon.

FL: (Laughs.)

MT: Growing up did you ever think that an awning on Madison Avenue bare your name and your style would grace the heads of so many celebrities?

FL: No, No, No. I went to medical school…

MT: A completely different field.

FT: Yes! two years in medicine, I wanted to be a pediatrician and after two years I stopped and then I started in Fashion and I fell in love with hair and style.

MT: Now, when you say “Style”, what would you say “your style” is exactly? (At this point, the salon is pumping clients walking in: beautiful women and Whitney Houston is jammin’ in the background)

FL: It’s like different, I am not like the other kind of hairstylists, if I can say that? (We both laugh.)

I mean like if a client comes to my chair and says “I want that” I will say I’m not doing it, and I will explain why I am not doing it. Because your face, your hair the texture and everything “but that is what I want” (points to a magazine cover with Christie Brinkley on it, Francky was also featured in it) “I want to be like her”…

MT: The famous picture. The “doctor’s office magazine rip out.”

FL: I am like…

MT: “You’re not her.”

FL: Exactly!

FL: Other stylists will be like “yes, yes of course I will do it.” Just to please their clients, I want to also please my clients but I don’t want to lie.

MT: You want your clients to look good!

FL: Exactly, I want them to look and feel perfect.

MT: You have gone the next step with your name and are branding it into a product line. How does that feel to know your name will not only be on this building but also on the products in it?

FL: It feels amazing. I am not sure when it will come out. It is a lot of work. Next year for sure.

MT: Are you excited?

FL: Of course, but it is stressful, a lot of stress.

MT: Oh, I know so well I am coming out with a vodka…

FL: Really?

MT: Yes, so I know how stressful it is. (We both laugh.)

MT: If your brand is going to be anything like your salon, I am sure it will be successful. I have been to so many salons in New York, and your Salon when you walk in is really friendly and really nice, so “un-New York.” How did you create that friendliness?

FL: To be honest , it was like when I came here for the first time all the woman looked exactly the same. Long, wavy blond hair “Jessica Simpson” hair, and nobody was different. In France a salon is like family…

MT: Of course. You can have a cigarette and an espresso (we both laugh).

FL: A cigarette not anymore but Exactly. I missed that a lot so I tried to recreate that here. In the beginning people were resentful you know, but we start to change that, become more modern, more family.

MT: There is no pretense even though you are on Madison Avenue.

FL: Yeah the people with real attitude I was like..

MT: Like, you want real people?

FL: Right!

MT: Speaking of long haired, blondes and Jessica Simpson you have a phenomenal list of celebrity cliental.

FL: Yes!

MT: I can’t say who was your favorite but who do you enjoy working with the most?

FL: I had so much fun with Kate Beckinsale. She was like the most funny and most laid back clientele.

MT: You are known for doing Katie Holmes hair…

FL: Yeah, the famous “bob”.

MT: Was that all you or did Katie come in and say she wanted that?

FL: No, it was a big makeover, so it was good.

MT: It was a big trend in which you created.

FL: It was a big trend. Everybody wanted a that “bob.”

MT: Have you ever had “issues” with celebrities in your salon?

FL: Here in New York, no because most of celebrities I do or when I work with The Royal Family, The Queen and Princess of Sweden I go to their home or the hotel and they never come to the salon.

MT: That’s too bad, it would be great publicity.

FL: (Laughs) I know.

MT: But you are doing fine without them coming here. So would you say you are an “on-location stylist?”

FL: Yeah, on location and I love being on photo-shoots.

MT: You have been all over Television…

FL: Yeah, Extra!, Access Hollywood, Today Show…

MT: You’ve been on them all, do you like being in front of the camera?

FL: At the beginning I wasn’t so excited about it.. it’s another world.

MT: TV is another world!

(We both laugh.)

MT: Let’s talk about hair. You are known for “the bob” short hair, is it for everyone?

FL: Short hair, To be honest it doesn’t work on all, the girl with the short bob must have a jaw line but the really really short hair does not work. In Europe yes, but here in America not really.

MT: We have to talk about trends, what do you think the trends for Fall/Winter ‘09/10 are?

FL: OK, long hair.

MT: Long?

FL: Yes a lot of long hair, messy hair, easy, messy buns, but besides that simple.

MT: The Kate Hudson look?

FL: Exactly!

MT: Color?

FL: Dark, chocolate, black..

MT: Severe & rich.

FL: Yes but messy!

MT: Your salon is open…?

FL: Monday through Sunday

MT: Seven days a week. Non-stop for you!

FL: Yes (laughs.)

MT: Are you here all seven days?

FL: I used to be, but now I am so busy with photo shoots my schedule changes all the time.

MT: You have such a gracious staff.

FL: Thank you.

MT: How many people do you have working here?

FL: Twenty-five, some people are new some are here twenty years.

MT: A tight family?

FL: Yes we are a tight family.

MT: Now you mentioned messy hair. One of my favorite words “GYPSET” (a phrase coined by Julia Chaplin)  equal parts Gypsy Girl & Jet-Set Girl, (read my article on Fashion News Live re. the book “GYPSET” by Julia Chaplin, ASSOULINE.) Are you familiar with the word?

FL: GYPSET, No.

MT: It’s the cool girl, the “bon vivants” that leaves town to go on a safari, or maybe stays in a luxury tress house, the bohemian look, messy hair.

FL: Like we used to say in Europe years ago “Hippy-chic.”

MT: GYPSET is the new “Hippy-chic.”

FL: It is, I like that word… “Gypset.”

MT: I will get the book for you.

FL: I look forward to it.

MT: Hippies and Jet-setters, are your clients.

MT: What’s next for you? What’s next for Francky L’Official?

FL: What’s next for me! I’m working on a TV show and developing my product line.

MT: Can you give us some scoop on the TV show.

FL: I can’t.

MT: Is it under wraps?

FL: I’m under agreement.

MT: Come on just a little. Is it based on you?

FL: It’s about four different people a “Sex & The City” mixed with “Entourage” but all guys.

MT: I knew I would get it out of you. Sounds like it is going to be extremely entertaining.

MT: Are you still doing Fashion Week?

FL: Yes! It is totally crazy that week, I don’t sleep all week but it’s a lot of fun.

MT: Top three designers?

FL: Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Dior.

MT: Have you ever done hair for their shows?

FL: No, I wish.

MT: Not yet.

MT: Your favorite designers that you have done hair for in New York?

FL: In New York I’ve had fun with two designers Rubin Singer and Carmen Marc Valvo.

MT: Both great New York-based designers.

MT: OK, so I need to know… are you on this whole “tech-kick”?

MT: Facebook?

FL: Yes.

MT: Twitter?

FL: Not really.

MT: What are your goals for the salon? (Mariah Carey’s “I’ll Be There” plays in the background).

FL: To open in Los Angeles.

MT: East Coast, West Coast representing.

MT: So, Francky what is your advice for women and their hair?

FL: Don’t follow the trend, you’re the trend. Do whatever you want. If you want long hair then do it, if you want dark hair then do it. People make the trend for us.

MT: Live life?

Fl: Yes!

So, my friends there you have it. Fifteen minutes with Francky L’Official. Worth every second. I also added a new quote to my list of favorites.

“Don’t follow the trend, you’re the trend.” -Francky L’Official

To book an appointment at The Fracnky L’Official Salon call: 212-628-7505 www.fracnkylofficial.com

“Until next time: take life 2theMax!” -Max Tucci

Update: Since our interview The Fracnky L’Official Salon will be moving a few blocks down Madison Avenue. Stay tuned to find out where, and see some photos of the new salon.

P.S. The new salon is going to offer Botox and many other new treatments. Another reason why 212-628-7505 needs to be added to your speed-dial.