Elgin Charles- Emperor of Hair & King of Beverly Hills
Elgin Charles! The name evokes: talent, artistry, and legendary. I had the sincere pleasure in reconnecting with Elgin to celebrate his historical opening in the Rodeo Collection on Rodeo Drive. As well as fan girl over his new memoir- By The Way: A Memoir where he shares alllllllllll the details & what made him the legend himself. If you’re like me, I LOVE buying things with a personal touch and Elgin delivers! Ordering from www.elgincharles.com when you checkout in the “notes” section write whatever message you’d like Elgin to sign for you! While you’re waiting for your book to be delivered dive into our conversation in the meantime......
©Elgin Charles
YL - For those who do not know you, how would you introduce yourself?
EC - Aahh, as a person I am kind, humble, and a man of faith – I am humbled by the titles, and labels. In the industry, I am the best and paved the way for others. I take it seriously (my profession), and I am a stickler for routine – professionally I am confident in my accomplishments, because I have studied.
YL – When did you know that you were the Emperor of Hair, and the King of Beverly Hills?
EC – Ohh…the Emperor of Hair came about when I did my VH1 show, Beverly Hills Fabulous. And…the King of Beverly Hills…I love and appreciate that, although I am still digesting it, I embrace it and it is an honor.
As I was getting ready to go into my next question, Elgin wanted to reiterate how he humbly accepts the title and is still digesting the honor.
We then discussed if becoming a hair stylist was always his dream.
EC – ‘No, not always my dream, but always my passion. I wanted to be a doctor, or a dentist – at my core I always wanted to make my Dad proud. I was in the corporate world initially. I was at Smith Barney, and I quickly realized that there was a glass ceiling. It was my mother that suggested I do hair, remembering my innate talent, and my true passion for hair’.
Elgin and I quickly went down memory lane. How he started in Beverly Hills on Wilshire and Stanley in an office building on the 6th floor, and that was about 30 years ago. He then moved to Beverly Hills on South Santa Monica Blvd., to now in the Rodeo Collection in Beverly Hills. And yes, I met Elgin when I was a baby when my family went to Elgin. His response to this trip (down memory lane)…was that “it’s overwhelming, it came suddenly. It’s never been done before, yet I wear the hat proudly. I am excited. I wanted to get in, maintain, and sustain. To much is given, much is expected – and I am willing to maintain…and break more barriers.”
YL- I asked Elgin what is the skill, regimen, that he did to get to this place in his life.
EC – When I started cosmetology school, I took it seriously. My dad is a biochemist, I was raised with structure and discipline. So I was focused. I worked with Elasta in product development, and I soaked that experience and education up. I got experience in the chemistry behind developing products. I learned a lot, and I simply kept my focus, kept putting one step in front of the other – and in 30 years I am still in, and still love it.
Elgin and I organically discussed how important his Faith, praying, as well putting action behind it – and most importantly knowing how God works is to him. He reflected how he arrived on the 6th floor (suite) of the office building on Wilshire Blvd. He was driving to do Natalie Cole’s hair, and acknowledging that Spirit spoke to him and guided him to that spot. He kept his focus on his craft, acknowledging the importance of solitude to develop and perfect your talent and skills.
I wanted to talk about that during his journey, rise in his profession, was during a time when many Black owned businesses were not there for him to pattern himself after. So, I asked Elgin how that affected him, and how did that shape his focus on his goals –
EC- Again I am a man of Faith, I knew if they could do it I could. Also, I stayed to myself, developed my own craft, and grew me. I stayed in my lane. Today I am known as the ‘problem solver for curly hair’, and Vidal Sassoon was my mentor. My saying is – ‘You’re going to be Elginized. It may cost you a little bit of money, but it’s going to be worth it – doors will open up for you, you will make more’.
I so agree, because when you feel good about yourself, how you look, that energy radiates from you.
Elgin and I talked about the importance of other salons to get together, because you can learn from everyone…it is important to come together. He also acknowledges the importance to isolate oneself, to be still, and listen to God, and to be led by God to when to engage.
YL- In recognizing Elgin’s wisdom, I asked if he could foresee the Black Lives Matter movement from past events, and incidents.
EC- Oh yes, as a Black man I have dealt with that (racism) as recent as this morning. I understand where these thoughts are coming from.
Elgin discussed the early lessons from his dad – that he first is a Black person, and he will be treated differently. To learn the English language; look everyone directly in their eyes; respect authority; know when to stay quiet; and most important be calm… and know you are protected by Angels.
He recognizes things are changing in our society, and he expressed gratitude to being here and witnessing how things are changing for the good.
YL- I wanted to know what still motivates Elgin, and with true Elgin honesty….
EC- Money still motivates me a lot, the love of my craft, and more importantly - making women beautiful, bringing them to another level. My creativity comes from my mother; when I was young, I use to play on my mother’s sewing machine. From her nurturing that skill, it now allows me to be able to sew my wigs, etc. I can do it all with hair…weaves, non-surgical hair replacement, and wigs.
YL- So now I needed Elgin to tell me about his new creative space in the Rodeo Collection on Rodeo Dr in Beverly Hills…
EC- It is a brand new five-star Salon in the Rodeo Collection on Rodeo Dr. It is fresh and clean, with good vibes. We have our VIP room. There is also a privacy entrance for anyone not wanting to be seen. As well, we are following all safety and sanitary guidelines. A sanitizer at the front door, plexiglass partition at stylists’ station. We are set to create beauty. I am so Blessed; my needs are met.
YL- What is the one thing that Elgin would not start his day without doing….
EC- My coffee, prayer, and meditation. I then read for 20 to 45 minutes…then I am off.
YL- What would make you the happiest…
EC- World peace, to love one another. That the Black Lives Matter movement is not saying that all lives do not matter. Human behavior …I hope, and pray we evolve and get to that place of peace. It’s wonderful that things that have not been talked about, are now being talked about – I feel it. It is all so good.
I could not get enough of Elgin’s joy, insight, and wisdom. Don’t forget! grab his Memoir: By The Way from Target, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Wal-Mart, and elgincharles.com if you want your own personalized copy!
Thank you, it was such a pleasurable morning with Elgin Charles.
