Colorist To The Stars Rita Hazan On Her Sources of Inspiration & Party Secrets
From Sunset Boulevard to Central Park West, Rita Hazan’s name is synonymous with color. The native New Yorker is responsible for tending to the tresses of starlets like Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez and Brooke Shields. Her roster of clientele: as star-studded as the magazine covers stacked in her namesake salon’s Fifth Avenue waiting room.
With the launch of an eponymous product line slated for January 2010, Hazan’s schedule is increasingly hectic. Fortunately, we caught up with the revered hair colorist in a rare spare moment, just before she jetted off to London for a brief jaunt in honor of her birthday.
Here, she muses on her cocktail of choice, a favorite West Village eatery and why her day job is just like throwing a party.
How is coloring hair like hosting an event?
Hair coloring is very similar. It’s like you’re always having a party. With chemicals anything can happen and you have to figure out what to do with any situation that you’re in. Let’s say the caterer does show up. If the hair doesn’t come out, how do you fix it? It’s about being skilled, being relaxed and going with the flow.
How would you describe your entertaining style?
Very relaxed: fun music and tequila. Dancing and tequila are always involved.
What is one song or artist that always puts you in the party mood?
Madonna. Anything by Madonna.
What is the best NYC restaurant for dining with a large group?
The Charles in the West Village. And I love brunch at Five Points. They can host a big party.
What is your staple destination for a girls’ night out?
Gold Bar.
What is your signature drink and who serves the best version in the city?
My signature drink would be a margarita and the one at Tao in the Chambers Hotel is my favorite.
What is the best place to host a birthday party?
I’m going to the Shoreditch House in London for this birthday.
What is your go-to gift for a host or hostess?
A beautiful bottle of champagne. I like Rose, or Dom Perignon.
It’s your Last Supper, what do you eat and with whom?
Pizza. Cheese pizza with my family and friends.
What is the key ingredient to throwing a great party?
Roll with whatever happens. Throwing a party is always stressful. If you don’t get stressed out, you’re fine.
What are you most excited to see in London?
I’ll probably go to the theater. I get inspiration when I’m there. Also, their fashion is a little different, so I like to see what’s going on with the hair and the clothes.
Alisa Gould-Simon is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer. She covers fashion and culture for BlackBook, New York and The Daily Beast among other publications.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Rita Hazan
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