Just about everyone in St. George’s is acquainted with “Kiki, the hairstylist.. His real name is William DeShield. It was his mother who called him “Kiki” from an early age.

Kiki’s Unisex Salon is located on 13 Duke of Clarence Street just behind Somers’ Market. Kiki is practically an institution in town as he has been there since October 1990.Having the natural talent for making everyone look their best, he has a generous following from the public. Some clients are black, some are white. He serves the young and the old and enjoys a friendly rapport with everyone.

Kiki has a lot of vim and vigour for life. At times he seems larger than life. He possess that little bit of magic and always knows how to make people feel good as well as look their best.

“Beauty is a universal service. Drink, eat, and get a hair cut,” is Kiki’s philosophy.

He explained that our hair grows about one half inch each month and in the summer it grows faster!

“The theory of hair teaches that diet, medications, nerves, and stress all affects hair. A good hair cut, shampoo, and a good conditioning is the basis of any hairdo.”

This knowledge comes from Kiki’s impressive training in New York City several decades ago.

In the late 1960s, Kiki attended the Wilfred Academy of Hair and Beauty in New York City. He also took a course in hot iron pressing and curling technique at La Robert’s Modernistic School of Beauty Culture Inc.

In 1969 he was the recipient of a prestigious award in New York City, “Professional Achievement Award”.

“Oh, back then I was in the heart of swanky salons and sophisticated people with lots of money!” Donald Trump was just starting out in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was an exciting time and the real estate tycoons were evolving as the New York real estate escalated in value to the point where it is almost like Bermuda — untouchable!

“I deal with people from all walks of life. I love my work and every day is different. I thrive on the challenges of hair.”

Recently Kiki received a Community Service Award from the Seven Day Adventist Church at Crawl Hill.

“I try to give a little back to my community so I clean the bus shelter near Crawl and the streets along there usually early Sunday mornings. I try to lead by example.”

Kiki is proud of St. George’s World Heritage Status. He is concerned about the vacant hotel, The old Club Med that sits on the hill.

“Our town sort of died when all that closed down. It really killed St. George’s.

“Bermuda has it all: a semi-tropical climate with turquoise sea, beautiful landscape, great economy, sunny mild weather and pretty golf courses, I mean pretty!”

Kiki loves travel and usually leaves the Island in October.

“Travel is educational. I am always happy to go and learn how other people live. I am always learning new things.”

“I always say: ‘Life is about living and health is wealth’.”

Kiki is the most reasonable stylist in St. George’s. He explained that one of the reasons for this is the fact that his rent and overhead are reasonable so his hair prices reflect that.

Hours are Monday to Saturday 8.30 am. To 6 p.m. The phone is: 297-2308.