Blo london brings us chain to covent garden

Blo London is the first UK franchise of the hugely successful North American blow-dry bar. The brainchild of CEO Ari Yakobson, Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and hairstylist to the stars, David Babaii, Blo was launched in 2007 and has grown to be the largest chain of blow-dry bars in the world with salons in the US, Canada and Asia. Irina Squire is heading up the Covent Garden addition to the Blo family, with an eight-station salon dedicated solely to blow-drying hair. She has a wealth of experience working with beauty brands and start-up businesses, and also brings a background in finance. She says: "Blo is the brand London has been craving. The blow-dry category is booming faster than ever and by bringing Blo right into the middle of London, in Covent Garden, we will be able to treat British beauties with A-list status blo outs. I could not be more excited." The chain plans to continue expansion in the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe. [Photography: John Sturrock]