When the government was shut down earlier this month, George at the Four Seasons Salon keep clipping along with its art of making political and media types and other influencers look great.
With our economy in a meltdown during late 2008, I first wrote about this very special place in the heart of Georgetown that is a media sanctuary for so many, regardless of what’s going on in the world. For decades, George Salon has been home to hairdressing for dignitaries, media magnates and regular folks looking for a quality cut, blow dry, manicure or pedicure. At the Four Season’s Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue at Georgetown’s eastern gateway, it’s a glamorous place people continue to flock to make themselves beautiful. I met my husband the night I got my hair done there in 2004, and I was hooked.
With George Ozturk still at the helm, famed hairdressers, Ismail Tekin and Omer Cevirme, have taken on management roles, as they continue to service some of the most well known names in Washington and everyone in between.
The bold-face names of George’s clientele include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, former chief of protocol Capricia Marshall and journalists Judy Woodruff, Norah O’Donnell, Arianna Huffington, Kathleen Matthews and Chris Matthews (that’s right). Some of the Kennedy clan have shown up, too: Ambassador Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, former first lady of California Maria Shriver. I even saw Rory Kennedy there before a premiere of one of her HBO films. (George Ozturk went to the White House during the Clintons years to do first lady Hillary Clinton’s hair.)
The story as of late is that the salon has had a re-do — with a new entrance, colors and additions. The George Salon re-launch party a few months back was packed with friends, clients and some fabulous Washingtonians donning their finest. Thankfully, Rick Raines is coordinating efforts in his usual fashion at the front desk, as Mr. go-to guy.
“I want to bring along my team of talented hairdressers and the gifted, who continually show great promise to our clientele and our salon,” said Ozturk, who founded the salon in 1985. “Ishmael and Omer have so much to offer and will be more involved in the day-to-day.”
Carl Ray, George’s renowned make-up artist and the go-to guy to first lady Michelle Obama and other wonderful clientele, is marketing a new boutique line of products called FINISH’D.
What’s the secret to the George Salon’s success? “We make everyone look and feel great when they come in here,” Ozturk said. “You don’t have to be a model to look fabulous.” The new updates have made it even more worth a visit.
