Partners Hair Salon: 40 Years of Excellence Led by Lewis Thomas

TL;DR:

• Partners Hair Design was founded in 1986 and is Cape Town's largest professional hair salon group
• The business operates 24 salon locations across Cape Town under four brands: Partners Hair (Unisex), Partners Men, Hair Freedom, and Barber Republic
• Locations span the full city — from Table View and Century City to Claremont, Tokai, Somerset West, Bellville, Pinelands, Goodwood, Durbanville, and Athlone
• Lewis Thomas founded the business and remains actively involved today, including through the Tea With Thomas series
• Partners Hair is an authorised stockist of Kérastase and 20+ professional brands, available in-salon and online

Partners Hair Design has been part of Cape Town's hair care landscape for nearly four decades. What started as a single salon has grown into 24 locations across the city, with a team of over 250 professional stylists and colourists. Here's the story and where we are today.

Founded by Lewis Thomas

Lewis Thomas founded Partners Hair Design in 1986 and has led the business ever since. His founding conviction — that professional expertise, genuine product knowledge, and excellent client service should be the standard rather than the exception — has shaped the culture across every location. Lewis remains actively involved today. The Tea With Thomas video series, where Lewis sits down with stylists, colourists, and product experts from across the group, is a direct expression of that ethos — sharing knowledge openly with clients rather than keeping it behind the salon chair.

24 Locations. Four Brands.

Partners Hair Design operates 24 salon locations across Cape Town under four distinct brands, each serving a different client need.

Partners Hair (Unisex) — The flagship full-service salons for men, women, and children. Cutting, colouring, chemical treatments, blow-dries, keratin services, and scalp treatments. Located at Canal Walk, V&A Waterfront, Cavendish Square, Tygervalley, Somerset Mall, Gardens Centre, Cape Gate, Constantia Village, Bayside Mall (Table View), Blue Route Mall (Tokai), Howard Centre (Pinelands), N1 City (Goodwood), and Groot Phesantekraal (Durbanville).

Partners Men — Dedicated men's grooming salons. Precision haircuts, fades, tapers, beard grooming, and straight razor shaving. Located at Canal Walk, V&A Waterfront, Cavendish Square, Tygervalley, Somerset Mall, Gardens Centre, Constantia Village, and N1 City.

Hair Freedom — Professional hair services for the whole family at accessible prices. Located at Canal Walk, Kenilworth Centre, and Vangate Mall (Athlone).

Barber Republic — Premium barbershop at Bayside Mall, Table View. Classic and contemporary cuts, fades, beard styling, and hot towel shaving.

Cape Town Areas We Cover

Our 24 locations cover every major area of the city. City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard: Gardens Centre (Mill Street), V&A Waterfront. Southern Suburbs: Cavendish Square (Claremont), Kenilworth Centre, Constantia Village, Blue Route Mall (Tokai). Northern Suburbs: Tygervalley (Bellville), N1 City (Goodwood), Cape Gate (Brackenfell), Groot Phesantekraal (Durbanville). West Coast and Table View: Bayside Mall, Canal Walk (Century City). Northern City surrounds: Howard Centre (Pinelands), Vangate Mall (Athlone). Helderberg: Somerset Mall (Somerset West).

Authorised Kérastase Stockist

Partners Hair is an authorised Kérastase stockist — one of a limited number of certified retail partners in South Africa. All Kérastase products sold in-salon and online are sourced directly from official South African distributors and authenticated. Partners Hair also carries professional ranges from Redken, Pureology, Moroccanoil, Olaplex, K18, L'Oréal Professionnel, Wella Professionals, Schwarzkopf, Kevin Murphy, Milkshake, Joico, Goldwell, and 20+ additional professional brands.

Professional Training as a Foundation

Partners Hair invests in ongoing technical training across all locations. With over 250 professionally trained stylists in the group, continuing education is how the standards established in 1986 are maintained and built on. Judy serves as head trainer and coordinates the technical education programme — covering new product launches, technique updates, colour system changes, and scalp health education.

Shop Online or Visit a Salon

Partners Hair stocks professional hair care products online at partnershair.co.za, with free delivery on orders over R390 across South Africa. All products are authenticated and sourced through official channels. For in-person appointments, find your nearest Partners Hair location across Cape Town's 24 salon sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Partners Hair salons are there in Cape Town?

Partners Hair Design operates 24 salon locations across Cape Town under four brands: Partners Hair (Unisex), Partners Men, Hair Freedom, and Barber Republic.

Who founded Partners Hair?

Lewis Thomas founded Partners Hair Design in 1986 and remains actively involved in the business today.

What areas of Cape Town does Partners Hair cover?

All major areas — City Bowl, V&A Waterfront, Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, West Coast and Table View, and Helderberg (Somerset West). See the full list at our salons page.

Is Partners Hair an authorised Kérastase stockist?

Yes — all Kérastase products are authenticated and sourced directly from official South African distributors.

Does Partners Hair sell products online?

Yes — shop at partnershair.co.za with free delivery on orders over R390.

Find your nearest Partners Hair salon across Cape Town, or shop professional hair care online. Free delivery on orders over R390.