How a hair studio redefined what it is to be at the forefront of culture

At Nūdo Studio, based at Hackney Downs Studios, the expanding boundaries of the hair industry are a long-established reality.

Long before independent studios were expected to operate across service, education and cultural production, Nūdo was already working fluently between these areas, shaping a practice attuned to a culturally engaged client base resistant to fixed definitions of what a salon should be. Diversification, here, is foundational.

This approach reflects a wider recalibration within the industry itself. With hair now deeply entangled in fashion, art and identity-led culture, authority is no longer derived solely from technical output. It rests in context: who you collaborate with, where your work circulates, and how ideas move beyond the salon chair. Nūdo’s relevance lies in this expanded understanding of practice. 

Founder Nick Barford describes the studio as “a creative space where both clients and stylists are encouraged to be themselves,” operating without rigid rules or trend-driven thinking. Beneath that ethos sits a deliberate refusal of hierarchy, between stylist and client, between commercial and editorial. Nūdo’s studio culture favours dialogue and experimentation, allowing ideas to develop collaboratively rather than being imposed.

That openness places the studio deliberately between salon culture and the editorial world. Alongside client work, Nūdo has built a platform for education and workshops, creating direct points of access between emerging talent and established figures. “Our role is to bridge that gap,” Nick explained. “Providing a space where talent can learn directly from industry leaders, whether that’s within the studio, backstage or on set.”

Within London’s hair and beauty landscape, this approach has established Nūdo as a quiet authority. Its influence is driven by a sustained commitment to individuality and risk-taking, particularly as the industry continues to move away from polished uniformity towards something more personal and expressive. You need only see their collaboration with ASICS and The Face Magazine to know they are at the forefront of London’s ever-intersecting creative worlds.

Looking ahead to 2026, Nick identifies collaboration as central to the future of independent service spaces. “Clients are more engaged and informed than ever,” he notes. “The future of styling lies in a genuine two-way dialogue between stylist and client, where ideas are shared and developed together.” The shift towards hair that feels lived-in and imperfect reflects a broader cultural appetite for authenticity over refinement, perhaps even a move towards what might be termed ‘recession hair’, where looser, lower-maintenance styles emerge during periods of economic uncertainty.

Space has played a critical role in enabling this evolution. Since establishing a larger base at Hackney Downs Studios, Nūdo has been able to expand its team and ambitions without compromising its ethos. “We began in a small studio across the courtyard with just three stylists,” Nick told us. “As our team and vision developed, we were able to expand into a larger space.” Beyond commercial growth, the move introduced a broader sense of possibility in how the studio operates day to day, from the scale of projects undertaken to how the space is used for events and exchange.

Being rooted in East London has further shaped the studio’s trajectory. Rather than functioning in isolation, Nūdo sits within the Hackney Downs Studios ecosystem, where collaboration and inspiration arise through proximity and shared intent. “Being based in the heart of East London has allowed us to connect with a like-minded network of independent businesses, artists and creatives. The environment is inspiring. Being surrounded by such a vibrant community has strengthened our sense of purpose.”

There is now a discernible confidence to the studio’s output, informed by years of experience across fashion weeks, brand activations and cultural projects. Yet that momentum remains grounded in the fundamentals of craft. “Community will continue to play a vital role,” Nick added. “Nūdo offers a space where both stylists and clients can bring those communities into the studio, whether through events, education, or simply by expressing identity through hair.”

As the boundaries of the hair industry continue to blur, Nūdo offers a measured blueprint for growth, allowing practice and space to evolve together. When the conditions are right, momentum follows.

Discover more about Nūdo Studio, or explore what it means to apply for a space within Hackney Downs Studios.