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Blow LTD on track to expand nationwide Blow LTD on track to expand nationwide
(3 days later)
The founders of the online fashion giant Asos and private equity firm Lion Capital are pumping money into a beauty salon that’s looking to launch a nationwide chain of New York-style blow dry bars.The founders of the online fashion giant Asos and private equity firm Lion Capital are pumping money into a beauty salon that’s looking to launch a nationwide chain of New York-style blow dry bars.
Robert Darwent and Lyndon Lea of Lion and Asos’s Nick Roberton are among investors putting $6.5m into blow LTD, which was founded by the former Balderton Capital deal maker Dharmash Mistry and Fiona McIntosh, a former editor of Grazia magazine. Robert Darwent and Lyndon Lea of Lion and Asos’s Nick Robertson are among investors putting $6.5m into blow LTD, which was founded by the former Balderton Capital deal maker Dharmash Mistry and Fiona McIntosh, a former editor of Grazia magazine.
The company opened its first beauty salon in London’s Covent Garden last year after raising an initial $2.5m and is planning a second in the Canary Wharf financial district in November. The new funds will be used to open sites outside London.The company opened its first beauty salon in London’s Covent Garden last year after raising an initial $2.5m and is planning a second in the Canary Wharf financial district in November. The new funds will be used to open sites outside London.
Mr Mistry, who is also a non-executive director at the BBC, said: "The fundamental consumer insight behind the company is that ‘looking great doesn’t have to cost a fortune or take forever.’ We found the beauty market has become more premium … and the services on offer tended to be more spa like. Mr Mistry, who is also a non-executive director at the BBC, said: "The fundamental consumer insight behind the company is that ‘looking great doesn’t have to cost a fortune or take forever.’ We found the beauty market has become more premium … and the services on offer tended to be more spa like. 
"Customers may want a day spa visit on a weekend, but they also want a 30 minute shot of confidence at one of our fast beauty bars before the 7:30am meeting, a lunch date or before going out with the girls.""Customers may want a day spa visit on a weekend, but they also want a 30 minute shot of confidence at one of our fast beauty bars before the 7:30am meeting, a lunch date or before going out with the girls."
The business sells more than 1,000 beauty products online while the "fast" beauty bars offer 30-minute blow dries and 15-minute manicures and make-up.The business sells more than 1,000 beauty products online while the "fast" beauty bars offer 30-minute blow dries and 15-minute manicures and make-up.
Blow LTD has already sold around  2,000 services a month in its Covent Garden salon and sells more than 70 brands online. Currently the ecommerce sales are growing at over 20 per cent a month.Blow LTD has already sold around  2,000 services a month in its Covent Garden salon and sells more than 70 brands online. Currently the ecommerce sales are growing at over 20 per cent a month.
Mr Mistry added: “Our model is predicated on the future of retail being more experienced based in store vs shelves or racks of products.”Mr Mistry added: “Our model is predicated on the future of retail being more experienced based in store vs shelves or racks of products.”