Cutting Edge: Philly Hair Stylist Michael Freeman

Michael Freeman, Philadelphia hair artist extraordinaire, still remembers the moment vividly. It was back in 1989, and he was working at a huge salon in State College, Pennsylvania, the bucolic town where Penn State University is located. He and a co-worker were shampooing their clients in sinks right next to each other. His co-worker's client began squealing over the physical attributes of a certain man, going on and on about how gorgeous he was, how hot and sexy. Freeman looked down at his own client in horror, apologizing profusely. "It was her husband that woman was talking about," he recalls. "I was shampooing the guy's wife!"

Three years later, fed up with what he terms "today's insanely hectic, gossipy salons" and with encouragement from his future husband, Dana, Freeman opened his first one-chair salon in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was an enormous success and when the couple moved back to State College in 1997 Freeman happily brought the concept with him. "My clients don't have to deal with a receptionist, a lineup of other clients, babies screaming, or me talking on the phone," he explains. "I'm the alternative to all that. It's what I've built my whole career on."

Making the Leap

Last September, certain if a private salon would work in small cities it would work in the upscale, urbane Philadelphia, Freeman opened Michael Freeman Haircare on the 25th floor of the ritzy Rittenhouse Medical Tower in Center City.

The interior design of the 600-square-foot space is clean and unfussy, the better to focus on the stunning cityscape unfurling outside the salon's six windows. A pecan Danish modern reception desk and mid-20th-century Lawson chairs catch the eye, but the real stunners are the original paintings adorning the glossy white walls. Among the artists featured is Philadelphia-born Samuel Bookatz, who painted 15 WPA murals and was the first artist in history to have a studio in the White House.

Senses other than visual are also pampered in Freeman's salon; he includes with his services a hot paraffin dip for the hands and infuses the air with citrus oil. Yet despite the soothing environment and one-on-one attention, prices aren't any higher than those found at other Philly salons, with cuts at $100.

Speaking of cuts, Freeman is a big fan of classic barber cuts. "Whether it's short on the top or the sides," he describes, "or an in-deep part with one length on the top and slicked back, they all look fantastic! For 2015, I also like men wearing buns. It's so hot." Less hot, he believes, is the barely waved, sausage-roll style for women. "I encourage my clients to go more natural. Be realistic, don't fight what you have. Flat ironing, then curling, extensions, all that stuff... it's just not me."

Falling For Philly

If Freeman loves his work with the passion of the truly inspired, he also loves his adopted city. Ranked number three on the New York Times' list of places to go this year, Philadelphia is, as Freeman exclaims, "Hotter than it's ever been!" With the new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk now open, the unveiling last year of Frank Gehry's expansion plans for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the projected debut of the 59-story Comcast Innovation and Technology Center in 2017, the City of Brotherly Love is offering even more to adore.

Not to be missed, according to Freeman, is leather bar The Bike Stop. "Michael Newman is the bartender there and he is the sweetest, dearest, funniest guy," Freeman raves. "He's my favorite bartender in the city. Of course, nothing is better than a night of dancing at Woody's. And the Tavern on Camac, it's a piano bar and it's fabulous! Tom Wolf was there the weekend before the election singing show tunes with Ed Rendell."

Freeman also frequents eateries El Vez (he recommends the corn salad in habanero butter), and Barbuzzo, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar in Center City. Great shops include Open House, according to Freeman "a wonderful home and accessories store," and Cella Luxuria, which he calls "a hot new furniture store."

"We've always loved Philadelphia," says Freeman. "And I just wanted to be a part of all that, you know? From my salon windows I can see the Delaware River, the top of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, plus all the skyscrapers. The view is unbelievable. It's kind of surreal... it doesn't seem quite like it's mine some days. But it is.