Located on 8910 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, the Galvin Benjamin Salon held its official launch opening this past Wednesday. The co-owners and hosts of the evening James Galvin and Benjamin Mohapi both have one request to anyone coming to their salon though: don’t come if you want a Supercuts haircut.

“We just don’t do any cookie cutter hairstyles.” James Galvin says on the philosophy he and Benjamin use with their clients, “If it look s like a machine could do it, we won’t style hair like that. We’re artists here!”

Born into a family of colorists, James definitely knows his way around hair. The London native worked in the family business at the Daniel Galvin Salon. It’s hailed as Europe’s largest hair salon. He’s also a graduate of Vidal Sassoon: there he learned how to perfect a unique haircut and decided to pursue becoming a stylist rather than a colorist. Fellow Brit Benjamin worked alongside James at the family salon. He trained at the world famous John Frieda salons, paving the way for his future as an “on set” session stylist within creative projects throughout the world.

After years of training, working at top notch salons and amassing, trusted celeb clients like Sir Paul McCartney, Cameron Diaz, and David Beckham, the two friends decided to embark on their biggest adventure: setting up their own salon in Los Angeles and bringing their know-how on fab hair to the United States.

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“It’s so optimistic in America,” Benjamin said at the launch, “I can hardly wait to toss my British passport aside for my American citizenship!”

Support for the duo and the salon came in droves that night from the Los Angeles elite. Visitors sipped on specialty cocktails and mingled in the sleek, urbane space with a big couch, various mirrors at styling stations, and skylights in the roof. British model Agyness Deyn made an appearance to show off her pixie locks. They were expertly done by James himself.

“We go for natural looks as much as possible.” Benjamin stated when asked how a busy woman on the go should style her hair. “Always get a basic haircut with softness to it. Never anything hard, it’s much too difficult to work with easily”

James and Benjamin don’t plan on stopping at just LA when it comes to providing excellence in hair styling. “In five years, we want to have our own product line and have salons in Los Angeles, New York, and London.” James says.

Bravo! this is a British invasion I am all for!

For more information on the Galvin Benjamin Salon, visit their site.

Heather Taylor is an LA correspondent for BettyConfidential. She plans to make great use of her Galvin Benjamin hair session card.