The Wellingtonian interview: George Janis

The grandfather of hairdressing

Veteran hairdresser George Janis talk about his favourite restaurant, his days at Wellington College and what Courtenay Place was once like.

Wellingtonian: Is hairdressing a family calling?

Janis: My father was a hairdresser. He was from Greece and when he moved to New York he learnt hairdressing. Then he owned a salon in Sydney. In Wellington he had a salon in Vivian St, before moving it to the corner of Cuba and Vivian streets.

Wellingtonian: How strong are your Greek connections?

Janis: Well, I'm a New Zealander, though I speak Greek fluently. I have relatives in Greece, on Lesvos Island, and I am proud of my Greek heritage. I always feel an extra warmth towards Greeks and like it when they do well, perhaps at sport. I have been back only once, though I intend to go again.

Wellingtonian: Is Janis a Greek name?

Janis: My father's name was Anthony Tzasnnis. He changed it in the 1930s because people could not pronounce or spell it.

Wellingtonian: When did you start hairdressing?

Janis: I learnt from my father. I started cutting hair in 1953.

Wellingtonian: When did you go out on your own?

Janis: In 1965. I opened a beauty and hair salon within my father's men's salon.

Wellingtonian: Your main shop is here in the Grand Arcade in Willis St. When did you move here?

Janis: In 1983. Wellington has changed. There used to be a lot of residential housing and factories around Cuba St, but the area is different now. In a business like this you need to be where it's all happening, and this is the end of town that's busier.

Wellingtonian: You have more than one salon, don't you.

Janis: We have had up to four, but currently we have this one and one on The Terrace, which is franchised.

Wellingtonian: You're up on the first floor here. Do people know you're here?

Janis: We have our regular clientele. Some of them have been with me for half a century, and are very good friends. We have signs in Willis St advertising our business. You can never be too well-known!

Wellingtonian: Which part of Wellington are you from?

Janis: Our family home was on Edge Hill, at the bottom of Mt Victoria. I went to St Mark's and then Wellington College.

Wellingtonian: How did you find Wellington College back then. I hear it was a pretty tough boys school.

Janis: I enjoyed my time there. I wasn't into the cricket and rugby, and there was no soccer at the school then. I don't know if it was tough. It's just what we knew at the time, and I thought the school was great.

Wellingtonian: Courtenay Place, where you grew up, has changed.

Janis: It's totally different. Before the buses there were trams there. There were a lot of stores, such as McKenzies, and Pilalis, in Cambridge Tce, which made sweets. There was the big Wellington East Post office. Now the area is a real restaurant and cafe area, with not that many other shops.

Wellingtonian: What's your favourite restaurant.

Janis: The Green Parrot has always been special for me. It has been owned by Greeks since the 1930s. I first went there when I was in my 20s, and I still like eating there.

Wellingtonian: You're keen on sailing, aren't you?

Janis: I've always loved sailing. I enjoy the water, and being out there with friends. I've been a member of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club for decades.

Wellingtonian: Getting back to hairdressing, how has the profession changed since you began?

Janis: The consultation is very important now. We consult with every client before doing anything else. You have to make sure you're on the same page. People just don't come in and say, "Cut my hair". They are more aware of what they want.

Wellingtonian: Do you still cut hair, or are you busy enough running the business?

Janis: I still try to do a bit. Maybe a day a week. I love hairdressing.

Wellingtonian: Are more of your clients men or women?

Janis: Women are the main part of our business. We cater strongly for women's styles. At present we have two stylists from England and one from France as part of our team. Colouring is very important these days and we specialise in that area. When my father was in his salon, it was really only cutting.

Wellingtonian: The term hairdressing is a bit of a misnomer.

Janis: Well, we cut hair, but we also do facials, massages ... there's a lot more to a hairdressing salon than just cutting hair these days. The sale of take-home hair products is a big part of our business now.

Wellingtonian: Are men fussier than they used to be?

Janis: Everyone – men and women – is fussier. Men definitely pay more attention to their looks. They want it right.

- The Wellingtonian