Q&A: A Cut Above The Rest Featuring Jean Marc Durante, Owner of Red Market Miami

Photography by Alejandro Chavarria on September 10th, 2020 in Bal Harbour Shops, Editorials, Lifestyle

Jean Marc Durante

Bal Harbour, FL – September 10, 2020 – If anything has become clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s how much we should appreciate the little things. As the entire hospitality industry has faced immense hardship over the past few months with closures, other service-related businesses such as those in the beauty industry have also had to pivot their practices, as customers must find new ways to get their services completed. Red Market, a high-end salon with locations in Bal Harbour and New York, has been at the forefront of this movement, adapting to the new-normal in unique ways and setting the tone for what beauty services will look like moving forward.

Situated inside of Bal Harbour Shops, Red Market Miami has built a loyal following over the years for its French-style concept, impeccable service and family approach. Owners Jean Marc Durante, Reynald Ricard, and Veronica Espinel have effortlessly fused French techniques with the sophisticated beach lifestyle that is so unique to Miami by frequently visiting Paris for new knowledge and inspiration. Red Market Miami’s prestigious location demands the highest standards of service as one of the top high-end malls in the world thus creating an un-paralleled experience. The moment COVID-19 shutdowns began Red Market not only predicted the tough changes ahead, but also embraced them. They found opportunities for growth and have come out of it better than before as a go-to spot post quarantine.

WRE checked in with Bal Harbour-based co-owner and lead stylist Jean Marc Durante to discuss how he and his team are faring and what the future holds for their business. Read the full Q&A below.

By Gaby Cuevas

Jean Marc Durante & Victoria Taylor

WRE: Tell us about your background in hairstyling. How did you get your start in the industry? How did Red Market Miami come to be?

Jean Marc Durante: I’m originally from Lyon, France, where chef Daniel Boulud also grew up. I trained in Paris with the iconic hairdresser Jacques Dessange who recruited me to work with him in New York and then Miami. When his career was winding down, I bought his Bal Harbour salon and changed the name to my initials, creating JMD Salon. It became Red Market when I partnered with another one of his protégés, colorist Reynald Ricard, who is known for the balayage highlighting technique. He runs the New York salon but pops down here regularly.

Jean Marc Durante & Jasmine Tosh

Jasmine Tosh & Jean Marc Durante

WRE: What sets Red Market Miami apart from other salons?

JMD: Red Market uses a different approach to hairstyling than most salons. I stick to cutting hair, while my partner only focuses on color. This set-up all goes back to the French method. Unlike the U.S., where hairdressing is often something you fall into, France requires a four-year degree to specialize in cutting or coloring. All of our team focuses on one or the other.

French people get a bad rap for being snobs, so a salon run by one can feel intimidating to others. We work extra hard to create a welcoming and relaxing vibe that is inviting to everyone. Of course, service is a major factor, and we go above and beyond for our clients to make sure they have the best experience. So much so that we often run down to one of the mall’s restaurants for takeout meals and have even shopped for clients who are pinched for time.

WRE: The beauty industry is ever-changing, with new services popping up all the time. What are some of the new services Red Market Miami is offering to clients?

JMD: With face fillers trending in the cosmetic industry, the hair industry came up with a similar treatment for fuller, lustrous locks known as “hair Botox.” It’s a type of deep conditioner that coats and fills in broken or thin hair strands. Our clients love it. We’re also introducing more sustainable practices like a waterless mani/pedi machine that uses an electric file to push back cuticles and soften hands and feet. The response has been incredible.

Jean Marc Durante & Jasmine Tosh

WRE: You refer to your team as family. Tell us more about them. What’s the key to building a strong team?

JMD: When you’re selling an experience, your team is critical. They’re what makes us, and we’re always searching for exceptional talent. Our latest find is José, a colorist who isn’t afraid to take a risk. He’s your guy if you want to go from dark brunette to blonde in a mere two visits. Most of our hair team has been here more than seven years. Dekel, a stylist, has been with me for a decade, and Rogelio, another stylist as well as a makeup artist, became a partner; we encourage our team to become partners. We also offer mani/pedi services, and Dinorah, one of our nail technicians, has been with us almost 15 years. There are too many great people here to list them all, and quite frankly, I’m astounded by their following, which includes celebrity clientele.

Elad Bentov

Jean Marc Durante & Jasmine Tosh

Jasmine Tosh & Jean Marc Durante

WRE: The pandemic has forced companies across all industries to massively adapt to new rules. How has your business been able to pivot and still meet the demands of clients?

JMD: Rather than sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, we used this time to build a better business model. We sold at-home hair treatment boxes and color kits while we were closed, ordered PPE supplies the moment we shut down, and thoughtfully envisioned how we will communicate with our clients in this new normal.

Now that we’re open, we’ve also digitized visits for hands-free check-in and checkout. Out went the traditional receptionist area and in came a roaming concierge and custom app for everything from booking appointments to tipping to comments. Your temperature is checked at the door and we are constantly disinfecting and sanitizing. Since we’re operating at a smaller capacity than before, services also cost an extra $5 to $20, which helps cover the new cost of safety measures. We’ve brainstormed every detail in order to provide an optimum guest experience without sacrificing the safety of our staff or customers.

We used this time to build a better business model… and thoughtfully envisioned how we will communicate with our clients in this new normal.

Jean Marc Durante

Jean Marc Durante & Jasmine Tosh

Jasmine Tosh & Jean Marc Durante

Jean Marc Durante & Jasmine Tosh

Jean Marc Durante & Jasmine Tosh

WRE: How has it been re-opening the salon with new restrictions? Have you noticed any changes?

JMD: Customers were thrilled to get their hair professionally done again, especially after such a long a time. Our regulars returned, but the unexpected silver lining has been the number of new and younger clients who may have been put off by our higher price points before the shutdown. I think after so much time inside, people were craving a great cut and color and were willing to splurge to get it. Once they experience how long a good cut and color lasts, they understand the value of quality over quantity and are willing to rearrange their spending priorities accordingly.

WRE: Red Market Miami is really leading the way in changing how customers receive their beauty services. Do you have any special secrets to your success?

JMD: My wife is definitely my secret weapon. On top of raising our two young children, she has really stepped up in helping take the salon to the next level. Her background is in digital marketing, so she’s redesigning our branding, website, social media and salon décor, and is the driving force behind the new app and product assortment as well as our great team and clients.