TMC Reviews: PNG at Shambo Chateau

by Devil’s Food Cake

Power dykes, break-up chat, gay politics, thrilling tunes, inebriation liberation and sexual encounters with Lady Gaga – you’d be forgiven if you thought I was at some random, amazing party, but you’d not be far off. In reality, I was getting my hair did at the fabulous Shambo Chateau, where the music is marvellous, the company quite spectacular and 2 pm is never too early for a drink.

Sunday had already been a nightmare – I’d been rushing to get back from Brighton in time, and then had to wade and practically swim my way through shitty London weather to get to the place. The state I was in when Gemma opened the door, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d slammed it back in my face. Instead I was ushered inside, handed a glass of wine and given a big warm welcome.

PNG at the Shambo Chateau is Savino, an alternative hairdresser from Berlin, and his presence at this venue, shrouded in mystery as it is, is the brainchild of him and Gemma Rolls-Bentley. “Savino came to stay a couple of months ago, and spent his entire weekend cutting hair… it seemed obvious that we should do it as a proper event”. Well, from the simplest of seeds, great things can grow, which lands us where we are today. The interest garnered by this unusual affair – a hairdressing symposium of the coolest sort – has crept farther than friends and admirers of the lovely Miss Rolls-Bentley et al, to mere acquaintances of those fortunate enough to be in the know and even into the offices of Vice Magazine.

My own appointment was, fortunately, not during Vice’s scheduled time, or my nom de gateau would surely have been blown. Nevertheless, the entire experience was rather nifty  and, dare I say, even quite a bit cool. I’m usually a total nightmare when it comes to doing anything with my hair – but the gracious way in which the entire experience was handled  left me not a little impressed. First, my hair was washed (a job split between Gemma herself and talented hair maestro-in-training Zara Toppin), after which I was led back down to the basement for more banter and a spiffy haircut.

Savino at work

The result? A rather fab cut and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon to boot. Though this round of PNG London appearances is over for the time being, have no fear, as he will be back in early 2010 for another hack at it all (in the gentlest of senses) – a hack I’d sincerely recommend you let him take.

For more info on Persona Non Grata, visit http://www.persona-non-grata.be or drop Gemma a line at missbentley@gmail.com