Alessandro Hair Salon offers custom cuts, color and styles for almost three decades in La Jolla

By Marti Gacioch

More than 28 years ago, Alessandro DeRobertis opened his eponymous hair salon at 7825 Fay Ave. in La Jolla with one goal in mind: to help his clients feel good about their appearance. Now, decades later, he still holds true to that goal.

“My inspiration was to see people feel better about themselves,” DeRobertis said. As a stylist, he keeps his clients happy on a daily basis with a very simple formula for success: He patiently listens to their needs and responds to them compassionately by creating customized hairstyles that keep clients returning to his shop year after year.

“We work around our customers by figuring out hairstyles that suit the personalities and needs of each client,” DeRobertis said.

That same desire for customer satisfaction also resonates with DeRobertis’ entire salon team of employees, headed by Marie Janne Vagnati, manager. Experienced stylists Jonne, Francesco, Viky, Lynda, Stefano, Tina, Mario, Jimmy, Kerry and Voe, all specialize in both cuts and color, using L’Oreal, Framesi and Davines products.

Viky is also a talented manicurist who provides French nails, color gels and acrylics. DeRobertis said he’s proud that his salon specialists don’t follow fads. Instead their focus centers on the clients’ needs and custom styling that best suits their lifestyles.

“Many of my stylists have been working at my salon for years; we are like a big, happy family,” DeRobertis said. “I mainly style women’s hair, but my other stylists also cut men’s hair.”

DeRobertis said he was born in Milan, Italy and grew up in the world of high-end hair salons where Giuseppe DeRobertis, his hairstylist father, worked. After learning the art of hairstyling from his dad, he traveled to the United States.

When he arrived in Southern California 30 years ago, his original plan was continue traveling to work in Japan, but a visit to La Jolla quickly changed his mind. While studying English at UCSD, he fell in love with the Village and decided to stay and open Alessandro Hair Salon.

Alessandro Hair Salon

• 7825 Fay Ave., Suite 130 (between Silverado and Prospect streets) in La Jolla

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

• (858) 456-0887