In February 1998, Lee Ann Middleton and Eric McPhaul purchased a small 9-chair salon in the Arboretum Shopping Center in South Charlotte, North Carolina. From the beginning they decided that their salon would focus on “hair only,” offering no spa services.
Planet 21 Salon was the Queen cityʼs first fully departmentalized hair salon. All hairdressers specialize in either cutting or coloring the hair, then work together as a team to design the style for individual clients. This allows the hairdresser to focus on their passion, allowing them to fully master their craft. By sharing inspiration and mastery within each department, Planet 21 has become one of the top salons in the Charlotte region.
In 2001, Planet 21 expanded the Arboretum salon into a 2700 square-foot, 19-chair “industrial” inspired salon with open ceilings, double-sided mirrors that hung from the rafters and a faux brick wall that separated the lobby from the salon floor. Today, in 2012, there are 3 Charlotte locations: The Arboretum, The Fountains and The Arlington.
Over the years, the salon team has designed and produced several hair/fashion shows and has had their worked published in both consumer hair magazines and the industry trade showbook, “Passion Magazine”. In February of 2006, Eric and Lee Ann were asked to represent Wella Haircolor in a year-long ad campaign that ran in the trade magazine “Salon Today”.
Planet 21 Salon also offers their services in a multitude of fundraising efforts, from the local humane society, to helping one of their most precious clients obtain a service dog and an on-going effort to help raise money for breast cancer research.
Training
Planet 21 Salon has an in-salon training program for all of their hairdressers that incorporates both British and French haircutting techniques. They also have a fully-trained color department that continually receives ongoing education in current and emerging trends from around the world.
Through their partnership with Wella Professional Haircolor they are able to send chosen staff members to New York and L.A. to further their education through specialized training at the world-renowned Wella Studios.
The salon also brings in top educators from around the world to help keep them both current and inspired.
Product Lines
Professional
Wella Professional Haircolor (all locations)
Retail
Oribe, Sojurn & Aveda (Arboretum)
The Fountains and The Arlington locations are Oribe Concept salons
All stylists and colorists @ Planet 21 Salon have completed their own in-salon training program, taught by their most experienced hairdressers. Apprentices also train on a daily basis with these hairdressers because they believe that hair must be touched to be learned.
Most every Monday the apprentices have the opportunity to put their skills into action by participating in workshops specifically for this purpose. Senior stylists and colorists are on hand during these workshops to supervise the apprenticeʼs work.
If you would like to be a model for one of these workshops, please call The Arboretum salon at:
704.543.1083.
Prices for the workshops are $15 for cuts and starts @ $25 for color.