A new salon founded by Tom Smith and Chris Donahue is a reminder of the journey our industry is taking. Described as a ‘next generation’ hair salon, Aevum has been opened in the head of London’s Bloomsbury district. Both Tom and Chris share a vision of what a future facing service means for clients. They intentionally have reframed what a luxury salon could be. And it’s gorgeous. Read on ….
AEVUM Salon
In a small but beautifully conceived space, a hair-health journey is how to describe best what Tom and Chris now offer. From Doctor-led DNA testing and hair-growth focused acupuncture and reflexology, by way of topical growth factors, red-light therapy and layered molecular hair repair, the consideration of hair health in 2026 is laid out ready to employ.
Aevum means lifetime, erternity and age in Latin. The choice of salon name is what the founders feel expresses best their own outlook. But it’s longevity in terms of entire wellbeing, not simply hair and ones appearance.
“Often clients come to us when their hair has been over-processed and so badly damaged that they cannot achieve their desired look. We are providing a solution from the roots up – preventing and reversing damage – in every stage of life. Healthy hair makes your life easier and we’re here to achieve your best hair yet.” Tom Smith, founder
Salon design
A friendly frontage on a small cobbled mews street in old London, the new salon is whitewashed brick walls and reclaimed wood floors. A statuesque fig tree adds a natural energy. Such a statement addition to the space. The clever use of clean linear floor-to-ceiling wall- mirrors, shelving and surfaces, is a pleasing juxtaposition to rounded pedestal table forming a styling station, and the elegant curves of the chairs. Individual backwashes are free-standing but plumbed in with supremely comfortable lie-flat, heated backwash beds set before.
Avoiding any sense of the clinical, a brilliant use of colour and soft draping lends a chic overall tone. Ox-blood red for the powder room, a soothing brown tone for the frontage, and sheer drapes to diffuse light from large front windows are calming. The mood is premium yet accessible.
A wellness hub
Hair treatments from cut, colour and extensions are supported with technological innovation. Among the collaborations, Tom and Chris work with Calecim Professional Advanced Hair System, to Current Body LED therapy.
Bringing in partners to broaden the services on offer is a way to lean into modern preoccupations with hair health, too. A Clinical Reflexologist, and Shiatsu Acupuncturist are among the practitioners who join the team. Dr Sophie Shotter – an award-winning aesthetic doctor – runs a Harley Street practice and offers a data-driven approach and can include tailored topicals or bespoke compounded medications as needed. A Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner offers customisable layered injectable or microneedling protocols to boost the scalp and hair follicles.
Brand partners range from Olaplex, K18 and Cezanne, to evo hair colour, Dyson hair tools and easydry towels.
Tom Smith & Chris Donohue
Hairdresser Tom Smith has worked hard to gain a reputation in the haircare industry for his salon, education and ambassador roles. He’s a particularly gifted colourist. Tom is a member of the Hair Committee for the British Beauty Council, and undertakes an ambassadorial role for the charity Beauty Backed.
Chris Donohue has built great experience as a stylist in London, Dublin and Sydney, and he works with colour and hair extensions, always while prioritising hair health. Working in premium and prestige salons, Chris has an affinity for designing the best customer service throughout a salon visit.
Aevum is a formidable launch of a new way of seeing hair salons and we’ll be watching closely. If anyone can make this work, Tom and Chris will!
____________________________
Here online you may browse our Creative section to find inspiration from the greatest hair artists… read our Home page to discover the top events and what we like about them, then visit our Magazine section to read the latest edition (and archive editions) of Tribu-te publications. If you’d like to enjoy your very own edition of Tribu-te delivered direct to your home – vist the Shop to order a subscription to arrive bi-annually. And of course, once a year, you can visit Hair Pieces: The Big One – it’s an awesome presentation of the leading hairdressers on the best stage possible in central London each November! Contact us if you have any questions or would like to submit photography and ideas for any of our editions in Europe – we’re particulary keen to see your salons for our Design section both in print and online.