Published: 8/14/08
1968. Every girl wanted her own princess phone, skirt lengths were
anywhere between mid-thigh and the ankles. Rosemary's Baby was released
and Mia Farrow had hair guru Vidal Sassoon flown in from London to
style her hair for the leading role. Motor Trend Magazine named the
Pontiac GTO as car of the year with a base price of $3101 for the
350 hp V8. And gas was 34 cents a gallon. It was the year the Big
Mac was introduced at McDonalds and the year Phil DeFlavis opened
his salon in Perry Hall. Forty years later, DeFlavis Salon is still
in business. Gas has topped $4 a gallon and the Toyota Prius, with
a reported 44 miles per gallon, has replaced the muscle car in popularity.
Gone are the days when our mothers went to the beauty parlor every
week to have their hair set. Although Vidal Sassoon introduced low-maintenance
hair to American women, Phil DeFlavis still sees some of his long-term
patrons on a weekly basis. "I've got customers here since the
doors opened." The customers aren't the only ones remaining loyal
to DeFlavis. Many of his employees have been with him for 20 or 30
years. The daughters of some of his staff are now employed as shampoo
girls. Women who brought their daughters in for their first haircuts
are now bringing in their granddaughters for their first trim. Its
been like a family thing for Phil. "When I first started it was
beehives and pageboys and then wings", he says. "The biggest
change to hit the hairstyling industry is blow-drying. Everybody takes
care of their own hai"r, Phil explains. Phil believes that hairstyles
follow the clothing style trends. To examine Life Magazine from the
fifties would show that the styles are basically the same today, with
variations of different cuts. More formal hairstyles are returning
with the renewed popularity of up dos at the senior prom. Phil had
a goal of maintaining his business for 20 years. When he hit that
mark, he aimed for 25. Before he knew it, Phil was celebrating 40
years in business. "I'll always be doing it, because I love it",
Phil explains, adding, "I wanted to help the community."
And the DeFlavis Salon has certainly been an active participant
in the community. Phil was responsible for reviving the Belair Road
Halloween Parade and hosted it for two years. Phil also leaves a legal
landmark legacy. "I passed by own bill in the Senate. I talked
to the Senate and the House. Senate Bill 375, introduced by Katherine
A. Klausmeier, sought to ensure that gift certificates would never
expire." In the end, Phils victory ensured that gift certificates
would be honored for a period of four years. The bill passed the Maryland
General Assembly and became law on July 1, 2005. After all these years
and these many accomplishments, when asked what his next plans are,
Phil responds, "I really don't know. I don't know where we're
going to go now."
In the meantime, you can find Phil in his salon at 9638 Belair Rd.
Call 410-256-3444 for information or an appointment
