Catwalk hairstudio

Catwalk Hairstudio: a queer-friendly hair salon with an alternative edge in Paris

Catwalk Hairstudio is an independent hair salon located at 14 rue de Crussol in Paris’s lively 11th arrondissement, within walking distance of Oberkampf, République and the northern edge of the Marais. With its dark interior, exposed brickwork and distinctly alternative personality, the salon offers a welcome change from the polished but sometimes rather impersonal chains found across the French capital. This is a place where a haircut can be classic, creative or radically transformative, depending on what makes you feel most like yourself.

The salon has long been known among gay and queer Parisians for its relaxed, inclusive atmosphere. It is not reserved exclusively for LGBTQ+ customers, but gay men, queer visitors and same-sex couples should feel entirely comfortable here. The approach appears refreshingly free from rigid ideas about gender or conventional beauty. Whether you want a subtle clean-up before dinner, a sharply structured cut, a beard refresh or a dramatic colour worthy of its own entrance music, the team is accustomed to working with a broad variety of styles.

Services for men include scissor cuts, styling, beard trimming, colouring, highlights and bleaching. The wider menu also covers creative colour, balayage, hair treatments, straightening and more substantial transformations. Specialist products associated with brands such as Olaplex are used for selected treatments. If you are considering bleach, a major colour change or something technically complex, contact the salon beforehand. An initial discussion allows the stylist to assess your hair, estimate the time required and explain what is realistically achievable without sacrificing its condition to the gods of platinum blond.

Catwalk Hairstudio’s appeal lies as much in its attitude as in its technical services. The salon has historically cultivated a sociable mood, particularly during its later opening hours. Music, conversation and a warm welcome help make the experience feel less clinical than a standard appointment. You are not simply processed through a chair and sent back into Paris. The stylists take time to understand the desired result, while still being prepared to say when a reference photo and the laws of hair physics are having a disagreement.

The location is especially convenient for gay travellers staying around the Marais, République, Bastille or Oberkampf. The nearest metro stations include Oberkampf and Filles du Calvaire, while République is also within easy reach. A visit can easily be combined with shopping, drinks or dinner in the surrounding neighbourhood. The bars of the Marais are close enough for you to test the new look immediately, should public appreciation form part of the quality-control process.

International visitors who do not speak fluent French should explain their preferences clearly and, ideally, bring photographs. A visual reference is often more useful than trying to translate highly specific hairdressing vocabulary at the last minute. Mention your normal routine, how much styling you are prepared to do each morning and whether you need a cut that will survive several weeks of travel. Honesty here prevents an ambitious runway moment from becoming an unexpected daily maintenance contract.

Appointments are strongly recommended, especially for colour work, transformations and visits toward the end of the week. Published schedules currently indicate opening from Tuesday through Saturday, with an extended session on Thursday evening, but hours and staff availability can change. Check directly with the salon before making a special journey. Online appointment availability may also vary, so calling remains useful when the desired service cannot be booked digitally.

Catwalk Hairstudio is a particularly good choice for gay travellers who want more than a generic trim. Its queer-friendly reputation, alternative aesthetic and broad range of services make it suitable for everything from holiday maintenance to a complete reinvention. Come with an idea, remain open to professional advice and leave ready for your own little Paris catwalk — even if the first row consists only of men having cocktails in the Marais.