Why 1888?

Prior to Martha Harper coming along and reinventing the way hair appointments were performed, hair stylists operated by private house calls. She was an inspiring entrepreneur and hair expert, known for her floor-length hair.

Concocting a cleaner, non-chemical-based hair tonic was one of her first accomplishments. Harper was an advocate for healthy hair and living a healthy lifestyle, believing the two went hand in hand. She was one of the first people to raise concerns about the harsh ingredients used in cosmetic care, leading her to make all of her products organic.

Harper went on to invent the first reclining shampoo chair and founded The Harper Method, the first cosmetology school chain.

While all of these achievements are remarkable, perhaps her most notable accomplishment was opening the first professional salon in Rochester, New York. As you may have guessed, this took place in 1888.

At the time of her passing in 1950, there were more than 350 professional Harper salons, with locations throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Canada.

Her clientele included Woodrow Wilson, Rose and Jacqueline Kennedy, Susan B. Anthony, Calvin Coolidge, and many other well-known figures.

To us, the most inspiring part of her story is her determination. Raised in Ontario by a low-income family, she moved to New York at the age of seven, where she became a servant. Despite difficult circumstances, Martha Harper dreamed big, worked tirelessly, and chose to rise above her challenges.

Her legacy continues to inspire us today, and it’s why we’re proud to name our salon after the year she changed the beauty industry forever: 1888.