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Jose Eber 'amazed' by Dubai

A chat with the celebrity stylist, who has officially launched his salon in the city.

Jose Eber La Loge at The Address Montgomerie has been open for a few months now, but celebrity stylist Jose Eber (the man behind Farah Fawcett's famed big hair) was in town this week for its official opening. The salon is the brainchild of Reem Abu Samra, a well known Dubai fashionista. She decided that women needed a place to "pamper and look after themselves", so came up with a La Loge Salon concept (La Loge means private salon in French), and then decided to team up with one of the best known names in the business, Jose Eber. He has salons all over the United States, and thirty years later the Beverly Hills Salon is still a celebrity favourite. He launched his own product line eight years ago.
You first became famous in the 1980's as Farah Fawcett's stylist, how did you meet her?
There was no concept of celebrity hairstylists back then. I am originally from Nice, then moved to Paris and worked at a well-known salon there. I came to the United States on holiday and knew I wanted to live there. And that's how I came to be Los Angeles working at another very prestigious salon. One day Farah called and said she wanted an appointment with me. After that I became her stylist and travelled with her all over the world.
You have worked with Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and Jennifer Lopez yet you never like talking too much about the stars that come to your salons.
This business is all about word of mouth. Today hairdressers do a star's hair once and say they are celebrity stylists. If you want to have a long career you need your work to talk, you do not need to talk.
This is your first trip to Dubai - what do you think of the city?
I am amazed. The party for the opening was truly magical. There was every major designer worn in the room. The setting was beautiful, the food was beautiful, and the people were beautiful. I saw better fashion than I have seen in Paris or Milan.
With your salons and product line and as an author of two books on hair, you know hair like no one else. What is the one hair product you feel every girl in Dubai needs?
A flat iron. The humidity here means this hair tool is a must. It gives the hair sheen. You can use it to shape and even curl. Watch this space - I am coming out with a new must-have hair product very soon.
Co-owned by Reem Abou Samra and Lubana Sakkal, Jose Eber La Loge is located at The Address Montgomerie, Golf Academy. Call 04452 9328 or visit www.laloge.com