Browns  ... 1920s into the Millennium

From the late 1940s other family members joined the firm. During a 1951 hair seminar in Paris the Browns obtained narrow roller brushes when, on returning from France, they originated a completely new method of styling hair - using a roller brush in one hand and blow-dryer with comb in the other. Thus, in 1951, Browns invented the modern art of blow waving . Demand for their new system was such that, after purchasing the adjoining property and once major works were completed, the business was extended to a 10-chair gentlemen’s salon and a ladies salon with 18 styling chairs.

By the late 1950s there were 20 staff. But Browns training programme could not produce stylists quickly enough to meet their ever-increasing client numbers. So from Italy they personally brought over 5 skilled hairdressers who soon learned the family’s blow-waving system. There were no language difficulties, as one of the Browns is fluent in Italian so clients’ requests were easily interpreted to the stylists from abroad.

Browns won their first hairdressing competition in 1951 and numerous successes followed, including a major award at London in "The Haircutting Championship of Great Britain ". While their ultimate success is by winning Britain’s N.H.F. "National Open Challenge Cup for Cutting & Styling ".

In the 1960s they opened a new salon in Chester-le-Street - a busy market town half way between Durham City and Newcastle Upon Tyne. But it was soon unable to keep pace with customer demand, while it was impossible to structurally extend its premises. So far bigger property was bought on the same town’s high street and made into a significantly larger salon. It was thought at that time the first Chester-le-Street salon must eventually close as its clients chose the newer branch. But that never occurred and both salons continue as two of the busiest and most popular in the north of England today.

Browns were among the very first hairdressers to demonstrate hair styling on television. As since the 1950s they have performed a series of shows for the BBC and ITV. While they also styled the hair of international stars of TV, stage and screen, both in TV make-up departments and in their own salons.

As highly skilled wigmakers, Browns are often booked weeks ahead by women for their highly popular hair extensions, all made from 100% real hair.

On the international scene, the family directors visit hairdressers abroad, both studying their systems and demonstrating Browns own techniques. Those overseas hairdressers have salons in, amongst other countries, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and from coast-to-coast throughout the USA. All of which continues to significantly extend Browns international experience.

Men enjoy a quality and skill in traditional or the latest creative hairdressing equal to the expertise offered to women. Many from varied professions and sporting lives choose Browns as their personal hairstylists. As during the World Football Cup, the Soviet Union's full international team especially selected "Team Browns" to cut and style their hair, while Italy's senior international football team also chose Browns as their personal stylists when playing in England - and it's well known how much importance Italian males place on their hair! International players from the Premier Football Division also regularly visit the salons and Kevin Keegan enjoyed having his 'locks' styled in Browns "Original" Barber Shop - recently designed to be a 'mirror image' of the family's very first 1920's barber shop. TV stars attended to in the salons include Dr. David Bellamy, particularly as its stylists are also expert in beards and Dr. Bellamy's is rather a famous one!

Probably unique to any hairdressers, Browns offer a choice unavailable elsewhere. As in their very large Durham branch women can choose to have their hair seen to in the exclusive "Ladies-Only" Hair Design Room - an extremely spacious and luxurious department - or in a Unisex Salon . Similarly, men can select the "Men-Only" Barber Shop or the Unisex Salon. Though 'Stand-By' hairdressing is occasionally available, appointments are strongly recommended at all salons - except for the Barber Shop which follows its original 1920s tradition of  "please take your turn", without any requirement for prior booking..

Every age group is cared for by Browns talented stylists, from the youngest of children and  fashion-conscious teenagers, through to the eldest of pensioners who equally wish to look their very best. While Browns policy, first introduced in the 1920s, continues in their founders' words to be, " Children are our regular clients of the future. So they must always be given the best of care, skill and patience, in order that they enjoy their every visit. Unlike other places, where children are often treated as nuisances."  

Sharing techniques with other top hair artists ensures that Browns remain at the "cutting edge" of hair design. Just one example is they are the only group to engage in their Durham salons, Joshua Galvin ("The Hairdressers’ Hairdresser") and Andrew Collinge (Television’s leading hair designer), where Joshua and Andrew passed on their world-famous hairdressing skills and fashions to the enthusiastic team in Browns salons.

So with over 70 years of world-wide experience in all aspects of hair, 5 luxuriously appointed salons, together with a highly caring and dedicated team of top hair designers, it's not surprising that Browns remain at "the forefront of innovative and creative hairdressing today”.