MEET THE CHAPS AND CHAPETTES

KARIS - Founder of Chaps and Co-owner

You will find Karis front of house on reception doing all the schmoozing. The Chaps Experience is her thing! Always passionate about keeping the standards high, she prides herself and her amazing team on the VIP service they offer.

Everyone has a vital part to play.  Karis’ is to keep the wheels turning and make sure everything runs smoothly. From reception to rotas, payroll and training, all things HR and marketing, there’s always something to be done!

Since opening the doors in 2014 there have many changes, including 2 children thrown into the mix that definitely weren’t in the original business plan! 2024 marks the 10th year of business for Chaps and the 4th year of Chapettes the ladies beauty salon that Karis and Charlee decided to launch after seeing a gap in the market. Coming from a beauty background, this has been a real treat for her, as Chaps is predominantly about hair which she ironically knew nothing about until taking up some barber training in London last year!

Favourite thing about our business: “The vibe we have created and the customers it attracts. We genuinely love the Chaps family - the regulars we see week in week out, month after month. You become invested in them, as they do us, and we all have a right laugh! This has been an amazing journey so far and I couldn’t be prouder of what myself and our amazing team have achieved.”

A few facts about Karis; if you didn’t know already she loves food! Cooking and eating it! Hotter the better, she is a massive fan of chilli’s.

She loves fine dining, travel, reading, Tequila and spending quality time out in nature with her family.

If she was an animal she would be a lion. (Of course)

CHARLEE - Co-owner, and All Rounder

Since Chaps opened in 2014, Charlee’s skills have grown from beauty treatments; such as massage and waxing, to beards and shaves on the shop floor. She is our all rounder, always wanting to learn more and expand her knowledge, she has worn every hat in the business, starting from therapist to manager to co owner!

She now specialises in Aesthetics, Million Dollar Facial and all things skincare for face and body in the sister salon Chapettes! Together, her and Karis, created and designed the ladies beauty salon in 2020; expanding the business further.

She’s passionate about what she does and has over 15 years experience in the beauty industry. She brings nothing but good vibes to the team and loves creating the ‘Chaps Experience’ for clients.

From the warm welcome when they walk in, the laid back bubbly atmosphere when they are here, to them walking out feeling like a King/Queen. You always know when she is working as you will hear her infectious laugh ripple through the salon!

Favourite thing about our business: working along side the amazing Team Chaps, they are all amazing at what they do and we genuinely all get on so well and have a proper laugh while still being professionals in our field.

If she was a fruit she’d be a… pineapple; she’s a bit prickly on the outside, sweet on the inside and always has cool hair!

Favourite food: Mexican: chilli, fajitas nachos, mmm..

@chapettes.charlee

MARTYN - Barber and Beard Master

Proclaimed by many as the beard master, he has a loyal bearded customer base who swear by his expertise! Of course this is not forgetting about his top of head cutting skills, he loves a good faded pompadour and is humbly always learning eagerly about new styles, long and short.

Interesting fact about Martyn… he used to drive an ambulance in his previous job before his Auntie Karis persuaded him to become an apprentice at Chaps and take up a career in barbering!

Martyn is fanatical about his music. He has an extensive knowledge of 90s/00s Hip Hop, as well as following the UK scenes of Garage, Grime and Drum and Bass.

He also loves his food and ale; with his dream being to travel the world, sampling every country's national dishes along the way, obviously with the right drop of booze!

His dry sense of humour is summed up in this quote... "always give 100%, unless you're giving blood"

@sidepartmart

SUMMER - Barberette

Meet Summer, a vibrant and talented female barber, trained in-house ‘The Chaps Way’ by our head barber Martyn. Her passion for perfect cuts and sharp styles is only matched by her love for spending time with her family and getting active outdoors and in the gym.

Summer chose to become a barber because she wanted a long-term career that would challenge her and allow her to meet new people. And what better place to do that than at Chaps, where she feels like she's part of one big family. Summer's positive energy and friendly demeanour makes every visit to the barber shop a memorable experience.

When she's not behind the chair, Summer is likely cooking up a storm in the kitchen, as much like the rest of Team Chaps she’s a self-proclaimed foodie. Asian cuisine holds a special place in her heart for its variety of tastes and textures. Summer’s favourite cocktail, is a refreshing pina colada, the taste of a tropical holiday.

So, whether you're in need of a fresh new haircut, a clean shave, or just a good chat, Summer is here to make sure you leave Chaps looking and feeling your best. Come meet our resident foodie and barber extraordinaire – you won't be disappointed!

@summercutz

ALFY - Barber

Alfy has been in the hair industry for 9 years now. The creativity behind cutting hair has been the foundation of his career to now owning a music venue/bar, where lays his other passion for live music as well as dance music. He’s always found himself to dive in at the deep end and be very hands on with everything thrown his way to achieve a high standard. He enjoys cutting any style from long textured cuts to refined short styles 

Outside of work you’ll either find him on the dance floor making sure the events they put on are running as smooth as possible or running around a city with his camera trying get the perfect shot!

TOM - Barber

Ever since Tom was old enough to get his own haircut in a barber shop he loved the atmosphere of barber shops, everyone joking around and having a laugh and he remembers thinking “these guys are literally getting paid to have a laugh and cut hair” that really appealed to him and he’s always enjoyed being around people and talking. Also giving people that confidence that you get after a fresh haircut is one of the best feelings. 

His specialities in cutting is definitely taper fades.

His approach to his clients is definitely to listen to exactly what they want then give his professional input almost working with them in achieving the style that they want and what suits them best. 

Outside of barbering his interests include music, he sings and plays guitar and plays gigs regularly down in his hometown of Folkestone. He also enjoy playing tennis which he does twice a week.

His favourite food has to be a bangers and mash with a nice hearty home made onion gravy.

If he could cut the hair of any celebrity it would have to be Damon Albarn just mainly for the chat to hear about his experiences.

Fun fact about Tom: he used to be a tennis coach. 

He hopes to bring a fun and fresh feel to the already professional and great team that are here at Chaps.

ELLIE - Barberette/Hairstylist, Colour and Perm Specialist

Meet Ellie, the talented barber and hair stylist who brings a mix of creativity and conversation to every haircut. A social butterfly at heart, she loves nothing more than a good chat while she works her magic on your hair. When she's not behind the chair, you can find Ellie jetting off on holiday, exploring new places, or enjoying a weekend getaway.

Specializing in perms, colouring and creative cutting, Ellie is a master at tailoring haircuts to suit your individual style and lifestyle. And if you've got a secret love for mullets, she's got you covered - it's her guilty pleasure. Keep your eyes peeled for her new venture, Ellie Frosts Hair Systems, that is going to propel Chaps to the next level.

Here's a fun fact about Ellie: she thought her middle name was cake until she was around 9 years old. So, if you're looking for a talented stylist who can bring a mix of creativity, conversation, and a touch of humor to your next haircut, book an appointment with Ellie and get ready to leave the chair feeling refreshed and fabulous.

@barberellies

ANDREA - Barberette

Andrea is the latest addition to Team Chaps, bringing her unique sparkle and energy to the team. Known for her vibrant personality, the mad-hatter, she's always up for a great chat and some laughter, making her clients feel at ease. Andrea is highly skilled, dedicated to her craft, and consistently delivers top-notch cuts and beard trims, which she loves.

Beyond her passion for barbering, Andrea enjoys traveling and dreams of living abroad someday. Ibiza is one of her FAVOURITE destinations, where she indulges in her love for music and DJing, especially house, disco, and techno. Naturally, she knows how to bring the party vibe wherever she goes!

Her favorite quotes? “There's not enough time in the day to have enough laughter!” and “It is what it is.”

@andreachapsbarbers

EDEN - Front of House Hostess and Nail Tech

Introducing Eden, the talented nail technician and front-of-house hostess with a contagious energy and a warm smile that welcomes you to our salon. With a love for all things beauty and a passion for pampering her clients, Eden brings her signature touch to every manicure she does.

Eden's heart belongs to Ibiza, her favorite place in the world where she has deep-rooted family connections and a lifetime of memories. Ibiza has been a consistent refuge for Eden, allowing her to relax, let her hair down, and enjoy quality time with family and friends.

Specializing in gel and biab nails, Eden's true passion lies in the classic elegance of the French manicure, which she has perfected to become her signature style. With attention to detail and a knack for creating flawless nail art, Eden leaves her clients feeling pampered and polished every time.

When she's not dazzling clients with her nail artistry, Eden indulges in her love for Italian cuisine while also exploring the flavors of Asian-inspired foods. With a strong bond with her twin sister Summer, Eden cherishes weekends spent socializing, recharging, and creating memories with loved ones.

Whether you're looking for a stunning French manicure or seeking a warm welcome at our salon, Eden is here to make your beauty experience extraordinary. Book an appointment with her and let her expertise and charm elevate your nail care to new heights.

@eden.chapettes