In a glimpse back to 1980, an archival clip from the BBC documentary program Nationwide showcases Antenna, a trendy hair salon located on Church Street in the Kensington neighborhood of London. Owner Simon Forbes was ahead of his time, offering the then-popular shaved hairstyles.
Forbes also shared a unique technique he used, incorporating stencils and spray paint typically used for cars to create words and designs in hairstyles. When asked about this method, he explained that it offered advantages over traditional salon products. Metallic colors and precise definition in hairstyles were achievable with this technique, providing a unique and unconventional look.
However, not all clients were entirely satisfied with their modern hair transformations. One customer expressed her surprise and dissatisfaction with her new “hedgehog-like” hairdo, particularly from the back, despite liking the front of her haircut.
This archival clip offers a nostalgic look at the cutting-edge trends of the time and the creative approaches that hairstylists like Simon Forbes were experimenting with in the 1980s.
