Gabrielle McKellar – Hair specialist moves from Music City to the Red Stick
So why Baton Rouge?
I was teaching at salons and decided that I’d like to be comfortable, and so I chose a home base that’s still close to my family in Mississippi and got a part-time job. Since Rigsby Frederick is my best client, I went there, but I’m still traveling three or four days a week.
How has the experience with Rigsby Frederick been so far?
I’ve never worked with such model-esque women. It’s just really incredible. And the talent there is something I would not expect to find in the South. With the Avenue Rouge show they put on, I really got to see what they can do. It blew me away.
What’s your favorite kind of hair project to take on?
Complete transformations — cut, color and makeup. And then I like to do runway. I got to help out on the show What Not to Wear a long time ago. I like giving people a new take on what they want.
Do you help clients choose what you do, or do you usually just try to give them the idea they already have?
A little bit of both. Some of them bring me pictures, but some of them will say, “Do what you think is best. I trust you.” And then from there, we go into a little bit of a consultation to figure out where we’re going with it, lighter or darker, short or long, and then I can take it from there.
When you’re not working, what do you do for fun?
Oh, exercise. I like to run the [University] Lakes. I love the gym. Being physically fit is fun for me. Going home to Natchez and playing with my siblings or going to the camp in Woodville—I’m either at the camp or the farm or both every weekend.
What’s your impression of Baton Rouge so far?
The hospitality is incredible. No matter what the wealth of a person here, business owner or entrepreneur or whatever, they’ve all treated me as an equal, regardless of the status quo. People have been so giving and taken me up under their wing. “This is what you can do this week. This is how you’re going to be successful.” It’s gone so far beyond the salon.
[Baton Rouge] is eclectic, it’s cultured, but it’s like a big family. It’s still country; guys still hunt and fish, unlike New York where none of them do that. It’s just the perfect fit. This is the happiest move I’ve ever made.
Where do you like to hang out?
I’m still trying things out, so I haven’t gone anywhere twice, except for Magpie Cafe. I’m there every morning. I’ve done everything from the Camelot Club to City Bar to Olive or Twist. I literally am going to a different place every time I go out right now.
Do you have a favorite local restaurant or bar yet?
My favorite groups of restaurants would have to be Juban’s, DiGiulio Brothers, Tsunami, Rock-n-Sake, but that’s just all right here on Perkins. I’m still sampling everything.
Had you spent much time in Baton Rouge before moving here?
No, not really. I mean, I had driven through, but I’d never spent any time here. My impression of it was just word-of-mouth. I heard positive and negative, but then it became more and more positive.
What do you miss most?
The only thing I miss that I don’t have here is the hiking. There’s nowhere that’s mountainous like in Tennessee, so my least favorite thing is the flat landscape, just because I miss a good hike.
Do you know someone dynamic who is new to Baton Rouge? Email [email protected] and include “First Impressions” in the subject line.
