November 5, 2009 (RALEIGH) – Producer Brenna Eckerson of Distillery Pictures selected Samuel Cole Salon to be the setting for a new reality show entitled “MakeUnder” that is being pitched to the Bravo network and TLC. The show features an excessive, over-the-top fashion princess who is instructed on how to bring her overall look back into a current classy style.

This is not Eckerson’s first time filming at Samuel Cole Salon. She recently produced a reality show at the salon featuring the life of young fashion designer, Jade Murray (Austin Jade clothing). “I absolutely fell in love with this space when filming for Jade’s show. I knew I would be back to film here again,” commented Eckerson.

The film crew arrived early that morning, set up their equipment, quickly went over the scripts, and filmed. One of Samuel Cole’s stylists stood in as the stylist for the filming.

“I was nervous and excited. It was such a professional process. Everyone was a pleasure to work with. It was a whirlwind and a total blast,” remarked the stylists.

“The day was electric. Our clients were really into it. It created quite a buzz throughout the salon. We were so flattered to be chosen to be featured in a TV show, not once, but twice,” said Joelle Ray, co-owner of salon with her husband, Jack Ray.

October 19, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Bumble & bumble educator, platform artist, and runway editorial artist, Alejandro Jimenez took center stage once again at Samuel Cole Salon to educate and inspire the design teams from both Samuel Cole Salon. The styling class featured their newest styling product release, Thickening Serum. The nightly, leave-in treatment fattens and fortifies over time for thicker, stronger strands and fuller hair. Jimenez demonstrated runway and editorial styling techniques on three models that had been using the Thickening family of products, including the new serum, for several weeks. “There is an energy with Jack and Joelle’s team that I don’t experience anywhere else. I always look forward to coming here. They inspire me,” said Jimenez.

“Learning from Alejandro is such an honor. He takes styling to an entirely new level. I always come away feeling inspired and confident and I can’t wait to recreate the styles on my clients. Everyone wants to wear “red carpet” hair. Glamour is in,” remarked a Samuel Cole Salon Advanced Designer/Network Educator-in-Training stylist.

Jimenez has a long history as part of Bumble’s elite runway and creative team. He has worked on many fashion shows, such as Victoria’s Secret’s Fashion Show. In addition, he serves as the Bumble Educator in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

According to Jack Ray, Master Stylist and co-owner of Samuel Cole Salon along with his wife, Joelle Ray, “It was a privelege to have Alejandro back in our salon sharing his passion for hairdressing with our teams. He is always engaging, inspirational and has a great sense of humor. This level of education, access, and inspiration is what helps set us apart from other salons in the area and a world class salon experience, of course. We are committed to it.”

Oct 10-11, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – The producers of “John and Kate Plus 8” are interested in turning Jade Murray’s real life story as an “up-and-coming” fashion designer into a reality show. Murray was filmed on site at Samuel Cole Salon overseeing preparation of her models’ hair and makeup for a photo shoot that took place later that day at Duke Gardens. The actual photo shoot was part of the filming also. Murray is a local designer who turned national fashion prodigy with her clothing line, Austin Jade. Samuel Cole Salon stylists prepared the models hair and makeup at the salon and were on site at the photo shoot to do touchups. Hair and makeup for Murray and her assistants was also done at the salon.

“It was exciting and a little crazy having a film crew on site filming us as we worked,” commented a Samuel Cole Salon stylist.

“We have an ongoing working relationship with Jade, having worked with her during Raleigh Fashion Week & Strut 09 and her Fashion Rocks Camp. Our salons are always eager to assist her in her projects. She is a pleasure work with”, remarked a Samuel Cole Salon director.

“In shooting a reality show I am allowing the world to see what really goes on behind the fashion “seams”. The show will be based on my life and the crazy world of fashion. I hope to inspire young designers, artists, and models to go after their dreams in this great industry. I choose very carefully who I work with, especially now that I am in front of the cameras, and I knew the salon that would have me and my models camera-ready and flawless without a doubt – Samuel Cole Salon,” said Murray.

“It is a tribute to our very talented stylists to be the “go to” salon for Jade and her brand, Austin Jade. She is a shooting star in the fashion industry and it is exciting to be a part of that,” said Joelle Ray, co-owner of Samuel Cole Salon with her husband and Master Stylist, Jack Ray.

October 4, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – The Samuel Cole Salon were on-hand to pamper breast cancer survivors with complimentary warm and soothing chocolate paraffin hand treatments, glamour updos and makeup makeovers at PinkFest 2009. This annual Susan G. Komen Foundation event is designed to give breast cancer survivors a day of 100% pampering by local salons and spas and to recognize survivors.

“We were thrilled to be involved in such a heart-warming event. Our teams have all been affected by breast cancer in some way, so we didn’t hesitate when asked to contribute our time and talent,” said Jack Ray, one of the owners of Samuel Cole Salon.

“The attendees loved the chocolate paraffin hand treatment. It was nice to pamper these ladies and make them feel special. They are so inspirational”, remarked Amy Weslowski, Assistant Director of Salons.

“Our involvement in the community continues to be very important to us both personally and professionally. We are always ready to take part in charitable events such as PinkFest. We look forward to participating next year,” commented Joelle Ray, the wife of fellow owner, Jack Ray.

August 15, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Stylists from Samuel Cole Salon designed hair for the nominees and presenters at The 2nd Annual Carolina Music Awards held at the Progress Energy Building in downtown Raleigh. The awards showcase the hottest music/artists in the Carolinas (North & South) in most genres. The objective of this event is the development of the music industry in the Carolinas, encouraging growth in our music present and future. This show is the only awards show that donates part of its proceeds to music programs for children. The stylists created “red carpet” sleek and sexy hair for the night.

“Our salons are always ready to get involved in the arts in our area in any way that we can. We live in such a growing area where much is happening on the music scene. This awards show is bound to grow every year. We were excited to be a part of it and look forward to participating next year. Our teams did a phenomenal job on the hair designs”, said Jack Ray, Master Stylist and Director of Education, who owns the salon with his wife, Joelle Ray.