Editorial portrait with a full natural afro against a red backdrop

Shape, colour, character.

Independent hair salon in Dalston, London. Cuts and colour made for you.

Book a chair

MOTIF.

Hair, your way.

We’re a small team of cutters and colourists who like a strong shape, a good conversation and hair you can live in. Come as you are. Leave more yourself.

Editorial portrait with a sculptural dark curly cut — Texture, always on its own terms.

Portrait with a softly shaped chin-length bob — Precision without the stiffness.

The menu.

Good hair starts with listening. Every appointment begins with time to talk shape, texture and how you actually wear it.

Cuts from £68.

Find your appointment

Cut & finish

A considered cut, wash and finish. 60 minutes.

from £68

Curly cut

Shape and definition for curls and coils. 75 minutes.

from £78

Blow-dry

A wash and finish with your mood in mind. 45 minutes.

from £45

Gloss & tone

Brightness, depth or a subtle shift in tone. 75 minutes.

from £92

Full colour

All-over colour tailored to your hair and routine. 120 minutes.

from £145

Creative colour

Big changes begin with a complimentary consultation.

on consultation

Prices are starting points. We’ll confirm your quote before any work begins. Colour appointments include a finish; new colour clients need a patch test at least 48 hours beforehand.

Good hair has range.

Shape is personal. Browse the cuts and colour moods we love, then bring us your own references.

Portrait with long voluminous curls against a yellow backdrop — Volume, uncontained Texture

Close portrait showing a soft chin-length bob — The lived-in bob Shape

Portrait with a rounded natural afro — Natural form Texture

Smiling portrait with a sleek dark bob — Graphic line Shape

Portrait with short sculptural curls — Curls in motion Texture

Editorial portrait with dark afro against a red backdrop — Colour contrast Colour mood

Lookbook portraits illustrate hair direction and are not photographs of MOTIF clients.

Meet the team.

We keep the studio small on purpose. You’ll know who you’re seeing, what they love doing and what your appointment will cost before you sit down.

Mara Ellis

Creative director

Architectural cuts, short shapes and beautifully low-maintenance colour.

Jules Okafor

Senior stylist

Curl-by-curl shape, coils and getting the best from natural texture.

Ren Park

Colourist

Gloss, lived-in tones and colour that grows out gracefully.

Portrait focused on the natural shape of an afro

First visits.

Tell us where you’re at, even if the answer is “I’m not sure.” Bring photos if you have them. We’ll talk through what’s possible, the time it takes and the upkeep before we begin.

Planning a major colour change? Start with a consultation. For colour appointments, we’ll arrange a patch test at least 48 hours ahead. Quiet appointments are welcome too.

Find your time

Find us in Dalston.

Music on, kettle ready, no rush through the door. Our studio sits just off Kingsland Road, a short walk from Dalston Junction.

18 Ashwin Street
London E8 3DL

Fictional address for this concept

Opening hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00–18:00
Wednesday: 10:00–20:00
Thursday: 10:00–20:00
Friday: 10:00–19:00
Saturday: 09:00–17:00
Sunday: Closed

Take the chair.

Pick a service and a time to see how booking could feel. This local prototype previews an appointment; it does not reserve a real slot.