20 questions with Dylan Lihou !

We simply could not interview Victoria's most fascinating and enigmatic icons without tipping the cap to everyones favorite booze slinger. Dylan Lihou has been holding down the bar at Lucky for what feels like half a decade. Always a good time, always the life of the party, and at lab he's part of the family. So check out the inner most thoughts of the one they call " Dylhou".

Who are you?

Just one man.

What are you most famous for?

My haircuts

What is your must have item?

Plain white T-shirts. American Apparel. Size small

Who is your favorite band right now?

I'm really feeling david crosby's first solo record called " if only I could remember my name"

What are you most embarrassed by?

That I like Sean Paul

Is winning the lottery a blessing or a curse? What would you buy first?

C'mon........BLESSING! 1st I would send everyone at lab to the Bahahmas for a month. Then once they were gone, I would run wild inside the salon, lathering my naked body in an assortment of LS&B products.

What was your worst date ever?

Never had one

What is your act of green?

I pick up peoples discarded beer cans when I go to Thetis lake

What was your best halloween costume?

Ace Ventura. No Question. Soon to be outdone by Marilyn Manson

What is your fashion accessory of choice?

Do white shirts count as an accessory?

Where is your home away from home?

Italian Food Imports. go see Jack, his meatballs are exceptional

What is your daily ritual?

Eat - sleep - pour drinks - repeat

What is your guilty pleasure?

Sean Paul

Camping or Glamping?

Ok, ok..... I bring my tempurapedic mattress whenever I sleep outdoors. If it's good enough for astronauts then it's good enough for me.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An astronaut..........or a bartender...........or a bartending astronaut

Who is your hero?

Derek Mrak, he's the champ.

Boxers or breifs?

Thongs

Cat person or dog person?

I like to think of myself as just "a person"

What was the last book you read?

The Post American World - by Fareed Zakaria

Who cuts your hair?

The often imitated, never duplicated, Jane Constable.

Fall trends from L'oreal Professional

This week lab stylist Dave Arter attended the fall trend release of L'oreal Proffesional's "Precious gardens" collection.

We at lab are dedicated to learning fashion trends and techniques from as many sources and as many different companies as we can. We believe it's the way forward for our industry, because too many stylists today choose only one source and never learn to interpret anything or think for themselves.

In turn we want to share our knowledge and vision with other stylists from around the world.

I mean ......Can't we all just get along?

Essensity.... Hair color evolved.

You may not be aware of this but hair color is the single most scrutinized chemical compound that exists in the world today. Chemical preservatives that you eat are second. There is a lot of attention and care given to hair color and the demand has never been higher. Even though styles revolving around women's hair color have turned towards more subtle natural tones (and men's hair color has seemingly dropped of the fashion radar) the fact remains that there are far more people on the planet who color their hair than people who don't. That is an enormous amount of chemical waste in our water shed.

Not very often (certainly not in my lengthy career span) a company makes a dramatic leap forward in the way we think about coloring hair, and the way we achieve fashion savvy tones for our clients. Schwarzkopf Essensity is the first ammonia-free permanent color line available on the market. It's developers and pigments use natural extracts and bee's wax as a buffer on the hair and the colors are rich and long lasting. Most important they are safe for everyone ( even expectant moms).

Ashley Dusseault dabbled a little with the line for a photoshoot recently.

here is a sneek peek.

Lab is where the wild things are

We like Spike Jonze A LOT. So when the news broke about him directing

the movie based on the coolest childrens book of all time....needless to

say we where excited.

It seems we aren't the only ones. We found Photo's of a design studio in

NYC that has set up shop as WTWTA headquarters. Maybe a new shop

design is in order?

" Lab where the wild stylists are"

Maybe not.

But just for a moment can we appreciate what a cool environment Max

created for himself? Amazingly enough it also echos current fashion

trends (more of a woodsman out doorsy feel).Also I think all of us yearn

for just a little bit of wild rumpus time. If you don't know what I'm

talking about, you really should see this.

Where the Wild Things Are - Trailer 2
Uploaded by dreadcentral. - Check out other Film & TV videos.

VISVIM Fall & Winter Collection

This collection from Visvim exemplifies the evolution of the 60's "summer dad" look and draws on many recent resurgent trends to create something that looks authentically vintage.

Fall has seen new genres for men's fashion that seem heavily influenced by a classic outdoorsman vibe and the "New Labour" look is well represented by the return of classic work apparel (understandable in the current economy) especially with footwear. Hiking and distressed work boots are prominent on the runways this season. The return of the grandpa cardigan is no big surprise albeit the return of hooded jackets and sweater is.

Once again we see a more classic polished look for men's hair. Boys of all ages are returning to a proper gentlemen's look, using grooming compounds instead of gel and finally combing their hair again.

Visvim was founded by Hiroki Nakamura, Japanese born designer who grew up in Tokyo.

Lab-Gold !

I googled Lab this morning and came across this.

It's a hybrid video (they are becoming quite a poular art form) featuring the movie Labrynth mixed with L.E.S. artistes by Santogold

These are two of our favorite things.

Ladies and Gentlemen.........Dj Touchbass

To celebrate the return of our dear friend Dj Touch Bass to the lab environment we have decided to share with you his newest work of art.

We present to you:

ATTACK OF AUTUMN by TOUCH BASS

Soak up the comfy coolness.

When you are ready to hear more from this giant panda

of a dj.......

Book an Appointment

20 question with Callianne Bachman

Despite the obvious genetic attachments to musical royalty, Callianne Bachman has forged her own way into the public lexicon of cool. Under her nom-de-youtube " Theslyestfox" she has built a huge following as an un-assuming internet celebrity. And to prove the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, "Calli" has also racked up an impressive musical resume fronting such bands as Beasts & Superbeasts and more recently the critically acclaimed Techromancer.

Here is what makes her tick.

Who are you ?

Callianne Bachman, though I usually introduce myself as "Calli" because the full version seems to cause an unnecessary amount of confusion for most people.

What are you most well known for ?

I would hope that I'm most well known for the bands I am or have been in: The Ray Gun ( if anyone remembers that one, ha ha), Beasts and Superbeasts and currently Techromancer..... but if we're being honest, I'm probably most well known for sharing bloodlines with famous people.

What is your must have item ?

My Hairless cat, Gizmo. He's my baby, so he's my only must have....though he's not really an "item" so.......... I know everyone says their computer, I'm kind of a geek, and I do a lot of work on it too, so my Macbook Pro.

Who is your favorite band right now?

Though Why? is probably my favorite band, I've been obsessed with Kap Bambino's " Zero Night Vision" all summer, and recently I've been enjoying The XX's debut album.

What are you most embarrassed by?

Honestly? People making a big deal about who I'm related to. I generally prefer people don't know.

What is your worst date ever ?

I've never been on a date! I mean I've been on dates with people I'm already seeing but not like " hey, I don't know you let me take you out to dinner". I usually am friends with people before I date them so I already like and get along with them and the dates are always good.

Is winning the lottery a blessing or a curse ? What would you buy first ?

It depends on the person and how they use it! For me I would look at it as a blessing and would use it in moderation: to live comfortably and make music and art and never have to worry about working and being tied to a day job. I'd save some for when I'm an adult and will need to pay for things like kids and houses, and I'd share it with people I love.....maybe throw a big party for all of my friends with free food and booze. What a boring answer.

What is your act of green ?

Well I'm a vegan, which makes more of an environmental impact than a lot of people realize. I also recycle everything and I've started biking and walking instead of using my car.

What was your best halloween costume ever ?

It's probably a tie between my "fancy dress costume" which is an entirely white outfit that includes a gorgeous feathered mask and a tutu, or my Mario costume. My friend Bryony has the Luigi costume to go with it but sadly she lives in England so no one here has ever seen both together.

What is your fashion accessory of choice ?

Amazing shoes, multi-strand pearl necklaces and a lot of jewelry. I also have a belt in every color. Purses! My cat tapestry purse is my fave. I obsessively color-match so I have tons of accessories.

Where is your home away from home ?

My parents place on Saltspring Island is my solid "home". Also my boyfriend lives in Vancouver, so I spend a fair amount of time over at his place.

What is your daily ritual ?

I don't generally adhere to a set schedule. I like freedom and playing things by ear. The only things I do daily are make my bed and shower. .......and spend time with the computer.

What is your guilty pleasure ?

What isn't? Sleeping in, bad television, Tumblr, ridiculous horror movies, and lots of food.

Camping or Glamping ?

I had to google glamping, like Kenzie did. I dunno , I'd say camping because, though I suck at sleeping on anything that isn't my nice soft bed, if you're gonna go camping you should go all the way.

What did you want to be when you grew up ?

My mom tells me that when I was 3 I said I wanted to be " a ballerina with 11 children", which is ludicrous. I only ever remember just knowing that I would be a musician, it was never an " I want" thing, it was just what I was gonna do.

Who is your hero ?

Keyboard Cat. Someday I want to be as famous as he is for playing keys.

Boxers or Briefs ?

BRIEFS! always, hands down, no contest, They're just so sexy on a cute boy. American Apparel ones, preferably because I LOVE bright colors (extra points if they match the rest of the outfit) Boxers just remind me of the 90's

Cat person or dog person?

Cats, hands down. I like dogs but they're way too dependant. I need my freedom, and having a dog is like having a kid. You're constantly taking them out to pee and walking them and playing with them. I want to be able to go out to a show and crash on a friend's couch, and be gone for a whole day (or more) and not feel guilty about it. Besides cats are better cuddlers.

Last book you read ?

I have a really bad habit of starting books and not finishing them. I'm currently reading Moby Dick... I'll let you know when I'm done.

Who cuts your hair ?

The one and only Ashley Dusseault. I won't let anyone else touch it. Though I do trim my own bangs but shhhh! don't tell lab.

Star Wars (the enviromentalist version)

We are currently in the middle of "greening" our operations at lab by consulting with Jill Doucette who has been responsible for greening other forward thinking businesses like Habit coffee and The Black Stilt.

It seems the more we research about our environmental impact and how far it reaches, the more we start to uncover the seemingly endless stages of radical environmentalism, and we can't help but find this funny.

enjoy

Wanna support a green salon?

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One more reason you should love Grizzly Bear.

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

Wigs!!! Wigs!!! Wigs!!!

That's right kids (for the sake of the four people in Victoria who weren't at the fashion show). Your favorite salon of craftsy critters spent a whole heap of time creating GIANT wool wigs for the show. These attention getters were made from local organic Saltsping Island wool ( technically still hair ) and crafted using bailing wire, foam caps, cotton batton, a handful of classic hairdressing techniques, and a whole bunch of ingenuity!

More pics are available here courtesy of James Finlayson.

We will post More later this week !

Sneek peek for Fall Persuasion 4

Tonight is the big show kids. Fall Persuasion 4 is upon us.

At 7pm lab will throw it's hat into the ring and show you what we are made of.

We have been working hard on doing something special for you.

Here is a sneek peek

Wanna see the finished results?

Book an appointment

Fall Persuassion 4........Nuit Blanche

Okay Scenesters time to get on your party clothes and immerse yourselves in Victoria's biggest fashionfest!

Every year our gal-pals at Suasion host the biggest bestest party in town, featuring a totallly over the top fashion show (and rumour has it this year they have a circus). All of the proceeds of this little shindig go to breast cancer charities, so really you should come out and support boobs tomorrow night!

The team at lab is super excited to lend our creative stylings to models for Bliss, North of Wendnesday, and Outlooks for Men, and we are planning something BIG! 

Matty has been hired to shoot the runway for the event and will post some pics later this week right here on our blog.

Tickets are available at the shop!

Wanna see what we've got up our sleeve ?

Book an appointment

What makes them so good?

The friendly and talented stylists at lab are intensely committed to their craft. That's why we fly them all over the world to get them the very best training that our industry has to offer.

This week, lab veteran Vanessa Hamilton will be flying to Toronto to train one on one with Contessa winning stylist Rasa Jurenas, who has been crowned Canadian Hairstylist of the year! Opportunities like this keep lab stylists ahead of the pack and ensure that you will get the best hair you've ever had.

Wanna see what Vanessa learned from the champ?

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20 question with Malcolm Johnson

Few things speak of the west coast the way that Canadian surf culture does. While most of the other surf obsessed countries find them crazy, these rubber wrapped die hards on surfboards ride some of the gnarliest and toughest terrain the Pacific ocean has to offer. Right in the middle of it all you'll find Malcolm Johnson. As the editor in chief of SBC Surf ( Canada's biggest surfing magazine), he has toured the globe writing and photographing some of the hardest surfers on the planet, in between catching his own sets of course.

Here is what makes him tick.

Who are you?

Malcolm Johnson

What are you most well known for?

Writing stories about surfing.

What is your must have item?

A good pair of boots.

Who is your favourite band right now?

Lately I have been listening to a lot of Deer Tick and the Felice Brothers. And a band from Saskatchewan called the Deep Dark Woods. It's been a country feeling for a while now.

What are you most embarrassed by?

I have a strong tendency to say the wrong thing.

Is winning the lottery a blessing or a curse? What would you buy first?

It's only a curse if you waste it. I would be buying a farm on Salt Spring and planting some wheat.

What was your worst date ever?

I got the dreaded "Card Denied" at Il Terrazzo. It was my girlfriends birthday diner. That was definitely not one of the shining moments of my life with women.

What is your act of green?

Travelling less. I am also trying to be mindful of not buying things I don't actually need.

What was your best halloween costume ever?

My dad made me a great viking get-up when I was a kid. It had a broadsword and a helmet with horns and everything. It was pretty fear inspiring wearing that thing.

What is your fashion accessory of choice?

My Neil Young T-shirt and my army surplus shoulder bag. And for the fall and winter I have a Patagonia jacket that I wear for bout 8 months straight.

Where is your home away from home?

Clayquot Sound

What is your daily ritual?

A smoothie for breakfast. Checking the weather. Listening to the CBC. Doing some e-mailing and writing in the morning, then some sort of idling or adventuring in the afternoon.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Deadwood

Camping or Glamping ?

Camping. I'm pretty happy eating oatmeal and tinned beans.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a pirate. I liked adventures and I didn't like rules, so pirate seemed like a sensible choice.

Who is your hero?

Gary Snider

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers

Cat person or dog person?

Definitely a dog person. I feel like I can relate to the dog mind.

Last book you read?

The Neddiad, How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization.

Who cuts your hair?

Maia has probably cut it the most. She has some solid barber skills.

Midway Island .... so close to home

A few weeks ago a local, film team left Victoria to visit Midway island and the " Great Pacific Garbage Patch" (a plastic waste concentration in the pacific ocean that is estimated to be around 1 to 2 million square kilometers in size). The goal is to show people what kind of an impact plastic disposable items like water bottles are having on the earths eco-systems.

Photographer Chris Jordan will be spending the next month and a half documenting their trip and capturing what will no doubt be very important and moving images.

We at lab are always striving to reduce our waste and are committed to green business practices. Everything from our heavy recycling program to our sulphate and paraben free products, help us, and you, to leave a smaller carbon footprint on the earth.

Wanna help? Why not pick up a lab Eco-Bottle? These stainless steel bottles are easy to clean and will remove your dependacy on a plastic alternative.

If you want to find out more ways that lab is keen to be green?

Book an appointment

Download This !

Our dear friend DJ Chris Longshanks would like to share with you his opus. SOLIDgold is a collection of the finest tracks that a Saturday night at LuckyBar can fit on 2 disks. This is sure to become a staple in the album collection of your youth.

Listen to them, soak them up, feel cooler inside.

Click here to download

Wanna hear more from Dj Longshanks ?

Book an appointment

Ginger is the new Black Label

It seems that our friends at Burberry London have assembled a new aesthetic for mens fall fashion. Here is their most recent offering, proudly strewn across a collection of ginger haired lads. While ginger hair has long been the fashion darling of Haute Couture, they have fallen under ridicule by the rest of the population. Bravo to the fashion industry for once again rebelling against negative stereotypes.

20 Questions with Kenzie Clarke

In our critically acclaimed 20 Questions series we have been taking some time to introduce you to some of our favorite personalities that have decided to call lab home. This week we interview local dance floor dominator Kenzie Clarke. You wouldn't be physically able to compile a list of Victoria's most fascinating folks without including the dynamic diva who developed NYPD ( Not Your Parents Disco) every Thursday at LuckyBar. Those who know Kenzie, know that she is so much more than an amazing DJ, she is a force of nature.

Here's what makes her tick.

Who are you ?

Kenzie Clarke aka Dj Kenzie Clarke (really working hard to keep my identities seperate)

What are you most well known for?

Dj'ing ....... I am half of the duo "Bitchin" with my best lady -friend Mama Miche, and I also am the resident and creator of N.Y.P.D. - Not Your Parents Disco every Thursday @ Lucky Bar. And in a quest to create as many Myspace accounts as possible before facebook takes over the world. I am also in a DJ group called Voyeur/ Voyeur with Hrdvsion, and in the production group Babyl-TrOn with local DJ/producer Fractal

What is your must have item?

I'm pretty easy going in that department. I'm not going to expire if I don't have a particular thing or item, but I think right now my second hand iBook or a good pair of Nike sneakers......or a pair of inexpensive and slightly ridiculous sunglasses.

Who is your favorite band right now?

I'm into La Roux, but still pull out my Grandaddy-Sumday CD when I want to relax about the house.

What are you most embarrassed by?

Apparently quite a few things, because although I am a grown woman, I still blush all shades of red in most public situations. Obviously DJ'ing was such a great choice for me....

What is your worst date ever?

Finding out you're related? I don't know.......I don't date.......see above.

Is winning the lottery a blessing or a curse? What would you buy first?

Blessing.... I would buy what my family wanted or needed first. Then I would buy myself a beautiful new computer and some music gear..... and someone to teach me how to use it :D

What is your act of green?

I rely on the 50 foot limo as my mode of transport, or I walk. I also recycle.

What was your best halloween costume ever?

Instead of living and breathing fashion, I choose to live and breathe costumes. So although Hallowe'en is the coup de gras for people like me ( those who are in the possession of a "tickle trunk") I think the best costume I've ever had was this year at Shambhala when I was part of a pack of Gnomes. Think of the travelocity gnome, and then multiply that guy by ten. We would stand off of the side of paths at the party completely silent in our poses for a few minutes, then yell "BREAK" and walk away. Definately a win.

What is your fashion accessory of choice?

Great earrings, hats, and sunglasses. I'm also developing a sneaker obsession.

Where is your home away from home?

Calgary with Miche, or at my parents house, eating their food and pretending I'm still 17.

What is your daily ritual?

This summer has been resplendent with festivals and laziness, so it's been a little difficult for me to follow through on anything that continues on a daily basis. I guess waking up to check my facebook and listening to new music.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching cooking shows on The Food Network..... I am addicted.... but, I am also a damn good cook because of it.

Camping or Glamping?

I had to google glamping....... -10 points. I can't even answer it without feeling a bit ashamed because, although I would like to appear to be a hearty canadian camper-girl who is ready for anything, a week at festival in a leaky dirty tent is less than enthralling to me.

Pass?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer. This was foiled when I was put into an english 8 class taught by the senior boys rugby coach..... Who has two thumbs and didn't read Treasure Island but still. managed to get an A+? This girl, that's who.

Who is your hero?

Chris Longshanks

and my Mom.

Boxers or Briefs?

Really? an underwear question?

I like looking at a person of the opposite sex wearing American Apparel briefs. Preferably in pink.

Cat person or dog person?

Dog. I did at one point have a cat named Vinyl, but on the whole, I just don't get the whole "Cat person" thing. Dogs are dumb and fun and you can take them outside to walk them and junk. If you are outside walking a cat, people think you are a freak.

Last book you read?

The Anthony Kedis Bio - Scar Tissue. When I was 12 "Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic" was my favorite tape....

Who cuts your hair?

Jane, the wonderful. The person who gets the most excited about dying my hair into all of it's bright pink glory.

Check out Kenzie's CD mix NYPD ( Not Your Parents Disco ) or go see her live every thursday night at LuckyBar.

Spread the word.

Next time you are in the salon make sure you pick up a pin and let your friends know that cutting their own hair might not be working out as well as they think.

They are tiny, stylish, and free!

Help us spread the word that lab is here to save people from themselves.

Oh, and if you are contemplating cutting your own hair........

We can help

Book an appointment

Lab loves Grizzly Bear and so should you!

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

Win this iPod !

Lets face it. Students, more than ever, exist in a digital world. Twitter and Facebook have retarded their ability to interact face to face or even over the phone, making even simple tasks like booking a hair appointment very difficult.

Good news students.

Lab has developed a fully interactive online booking service. Now you can book an appointment anywhere, anytime, for anyone,and you don't have to say a word. Instead of an annoying phone call to remind you of your appointment, we will send you a tidy little e-mail complete with a clickable link that allows you to confirm your appointment without even picking up the phone.

Just one more way that lab is making your social life better.

Did you know that we are the only salon in Victoria that offers online booking? We think it's pretty fun.

In fact we think it's so fun that we want you and everyone you know to join in the fun.

So every student that registers and books online before Oct 25th will be entered to win a custom lab edition iPod Touch!

Wanna enter?

Book an appointment