STYLIST SATURDAY: ANTHONY LEONARD SALON

Move over Manhattan-- BLNDN's on Madison Avenue and 54th.

Although Anthony Leonard Salon is nestled in Midtown East, partners Anthony Palermo and Leonard Zagami bring much more of a SoHo vibe to their trade than one would expect to find in Midtown. While the neighborhood is notorious for its uptown attitude, Anthony Leonard feels much more downtown, with eclectic decor reminiscent of bohemian attributes and a full plate of cookies on the reception desk. 

Co-owner and Color Director: Anthony Palermo's resume boasts supermodel clientele such as Iman, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington, as well as collaborations with the likes of accliamed photographers a lá Patrick Demarchelier. But don't let the impressive curriculum vitae of bombshell brunettes intimidate you-- Palmero's self-proclaimed specialty actually lies on coloring blondes. "I am known in the business for doing amazing blondes. It has become my signature. There are so many different shades to play with. I think every woman should be blonde once in their life...or at least blondish," he explained backstage at a Fashion Show.

Similarly, Hair Designer Leonard Zagami has an equally impressive list of A-list fans, most notably, perhaps, Russian professional tennis player Maria Sharapova and her gorgeous blonde locks. On the fashion front, Zagami has styled runway looks for designers such as Imitation of Christ, Michael Kors, Oscar De La Renta, and Yves Saint Laurent. Zagami has become famous for his knack for raw, edgy haircuts- making the combination with Palermo's coloring skills a force to be reckoned with. The dynamic duo came together in 2008, where the avant-garde Anthony Leonard Salon was born. 

Elisa S., a Brooklyn resident and regular of Anthony Leonard, maintains that "while Anthony and Leonard are extraordinarily talented guys who do hair for fancy rock star [and] model types, they still manage to cultivate a warm, pleasant, unsnobby atmosphere the likes of which you rarely see on Madison Avenue."

She adds, "If your experience is anything like mine, they'll make you look and feel fabulous... and then send you out the door with a hug and a homemade brownie."