Michael & Michael is located at the very edge of the River North Gallery District in the Near North Side of Chicago, an area that hosts the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States outside of Manhattan.
For more than a decade, Michael & Michael has been an award winning salon known for its dedication to the art and craft of hair design and color. It has earned a national reputation for creating looks that blend modern trends and each client’s natural beauty and unique sense of style. Most recently Michael & Michael was named the 2016 North American Hairdressing Awards (NAHA) winner for Salon Design, and it's easy to see why!
A recent salon renovation elegantly combined two building spaces, paying homage to the early 20th century architectural details including exposed joists and brick, industrial skylights, clerestory, original maple floors, and vintage hex tile. At the same time the renovations added contemporary elements with a touch of glam and sparkle.
Today, an abundance of natural light pours though seven skylights creating a naturally bright and welcoming space. The result is a spectacular 4400+ square foot salon with a mix of vintage and urban features juxtaposed with beautiful fabrics, mirrored tile, textured wall coverings, and glistening modern light fixtures.
Michael Jacobson, Co-Founder
A leader in the Chicago fashion community for more than 20 years, Michael is one of the country’s most sought-after hairdressers, serving clients from coast to coast. A born artist, Michael began hairdressing in his mother’s kitchen while still in high school, earning his cosmetology license before graduation. He explored his diverse artistic interests at the Academy for the Dramatic Arts in NYC, studying theatre and voice, before dedicating himself fully to the design and aesthetics of hair.
Over the years, he has studied in New York and abroad with the industry’s elite, including Eiji Yamane, John Sahag and Nick Arrojo, on the way to developing his own creative vision.
Often described as a “hair architect” because of his unparalleled ability to build shape from the inside out, Michael has seen his hairdressing and precision dry-cutting technique resonate with other innovators who seek to work with him collaboratively: international icon Oribe Canales invited him to style the runway looks for Giorgio Armani's Milan Fashion Week shows, and Fashion Director for Inter- Coiffure North America Vivienne Mackinder recently chose Michael for her national artistic team.
Michael has been featured in countless style publications, with InStyle andAllure hailing Michael's cuts as “the best in Chicago." His work has also been profiled in Elle, Town & Country,Real Simple, Lucky, Self, WWD,Modern Salon, Salon Today, American Salon, CS and Chicago Magazine, which named Michael one of the city's top stylists. His work for television includes The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show and Paramount Studios, and has performed significant fashion editorial work.
Michael’s roster of celebrity clientele includes Juicy Couture founder Gela Nash-Taylor; Venezuelan supermodel Patricia Velasquez; TV host Maria Menounos; cosmetics CEO and Today Show beauty editor Bobbie Brown; and actresses Candice Bergen, Robin Tunney and Elizabeth Shue.
Along with partner Michael Crowley, Michael presides over a hand-picked team of stylists and colorists in his namesake salon in downtown Chicago, a space cherished by clients for its blend of luxury and calm. He also continues to expand his role as a leading educator, sharing with others his unique approach to creating beautiful, incredibly healthy hair that has earned him national acclaim.
Michael Crowley, Co-Founder & CEO
Co-founder of the salon with Michael Jacobson, Michael is the business mind behind the Michael & Michael brand and an established voice in the Chicago fashion scene. Raised in a small town in Ohio where his father was both mayor and a successful entrepreneur, Michael grew up with competing passions for art and business that influenced much of his educational and professional careers.
He pursued music and theatre throughout high school and at the University of Cincinnati, singing with the Men’s Glee Club at UC’s prestigious Conservatory while serving as a leader in student politics and campus arts organizations. Instead of choosing one path, Michael chose three, ultimately earning degrees in political science, business and law.
His business background includes working 12 years as a litigator at a prestigious law firm, serving as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, and acting as COO for a venture capital-backed technology startup. Michael then moved into the world of design, studying at the respected Harrington College of Design in Chicago and serving as Vice President & General Counsel at a renowned interior design firm.
He also served on the Board of Directors for Fashion Group International, a worldwide non-profit professional organization for the fashion apparel, beauty and home furnishing industries.
Michael’s unique experience in both the corporate and art worlds make him a high-profile presence at the salon and within the city’s business, political and philanthropic circles.
He is significantly involved with Youth Guidance, a leading provider of school-based programs for at-risk youth, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. His stewardship of the organization has earned him the Pioneer Board Member Award (2010) and Outstanding Board Member Award (2012). He has also served on the Illinois Finance Committee, Chicago Leadership Circle and LGBT Steering Committee for Obama for America.
In his current role as CEO, Michael oversees all business operations, public relations, marketing and strategic planning for the salon, where he unites unmatched business acumen with an innate sense of style.
NAHA Salon Design Team Nominees 2016 - Michael & Michael - Chicago, IL • Photographer: Dave Burk • Photos Courtesy PBA
