Video by Taylor Brown 31
PHOTOS
by Alexandria Living Magazine
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Monte Durham welcomes visitors to an open house Saturday at his new salon.
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Monte Durham and Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson prepare for the ribbon cutting at Salon Monte.
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Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and Monte Durham cut the ribbon at Salon Monte.
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Mayor Wilson congratulates Monte Durham on opening of his new business.
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Mayor Wilson congratulates Monte Durham
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Monte Durham celebrates the opening of Salon Monte
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Monte's longtime friend Carla, who worked with him at the Red Door, will welcome guests at the salon.
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Shampoo station at Salon Monte
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A painting of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy adorns a wall at Salon Monte.
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Salon Monte hair products
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Photos by Alexandria Living Magazine
Jackie O pillows adorn a settee at Salon Monte.
TV celebrity and wedding expert Monte Durham opened his new hair salon, Salon Monte, Saturday evening with family, friends and fans cheering him on at Alexandria's waterfront.
With help from Mayor Justin Wilson and a large crowd, Durham cut the ribbon just outside the salon, located at 210 S. Union St.
"This is an extraordinarily exciting event," Mayor Wilson said. "During a time that's kind of frustrating, it is always good to have an exciting event especially on our waterfront."
"We are so thrilled to have Monte opening his business here in our city," he said.
"We have a little bit in common — we're both runners, we're both TV stars — I'm on cable access on the government channel, he's on national TV. We're both fashion icons, clearly. Our hair is very similar," the mayor quipped.
"But we are very thrilled that Monte is putting Alexandria on the map again," Mayor Wilson said. "Congratulations and thank you for making this happen."
"I want to thank everyone for their love and support," Durham said before cutting the ribbon. He invited the crowd to a party celebrating the opening next door on the patio at Hummingbird Bar & Kitchen at Hotel Indigo.
Durham wore a festive floral blazer by Trina Turk from her Mr. Turk line of menswear. Couture jewelry designer Mindy Lam beaded the blazer with jewels. The salon will be carrying Lam's designs.
Salon clients will be sure to see touches of "Jackie O," the late First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who Durham admires. Touches include a portrait as well as a replica of her wedding dress, tucked into the corner near the entrance to Durham's private salon. The open house coincided with the date of Jackie Kennedy's wedding held Sept. 12, 1953.
New salon clients may be greeted at the reception desk by Carla, a longtime friend of Durham's who worked with him years ago at the Red Door Salon & Spa. The two met at a disco. "We stayed in touch and we've been friends forever," Durham said.
Services offered will include haircuts for both men and women, color, highlights, Balayage, Ombre and more. Prices start at $65 for a shampoo and styling with one of the three stylists who will work at the salon in addition to Durham. Durham's rates begin at $95 for shampoo and styling, $195 for ladies' haircut and style and $85 for gentlemen's haircut and style.
Salon hours are:
- Monday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To make an appointment, call (703) 217-7077.
