Work pressure is one of the main causes of stress. But at these Lisbon coworks, there’s more to a days work than, well, work. There’s also yoga and physical exercise for your breaks.
Kasia Kosiarska welcomes us when we enter through the small door on Rua Nova de São Mamede, near Príncipe Real. The feeling of comfort is immediate in this old hat shop, converted into much more than a simple hairdresser. “Minds & More is a members’ club, where professionals use the venue as a co-work space and can bring their own products and serve their own customers”, the owner explains.
In 2018, after almost two decades living in London, this Polish woman moved everything (family included) to Lisbon. The idea of creating such a space – similar to the one she used to work in, but on a much more intimate scale – along with her. At the end of 2021, the project would become a reality in the only place she visited.
It was love at first sight, and we can easily understand why: the wood-panelled walls and ceiling finishes make it the place to get a new look and enjoy the perfect soundtrack. It is not by chance that the first piece of furniture to catch our eye has two turntables and a small selection of vinyl records. In addition to being an experienced hair stylist, Kasia has made a career as a DJ.
Minds & More emerged from that, from her wanting it to be more than just a one-dimensional business and creating a platform that would host other freelancers. Margot Oosterbosch is one of them, sought out especially for her hair dyeing skills. Iryna Schreiber is an expert in eyelashes and eyebrows, but also in makeup and hairdos. Ilya Shemyakin has a special talent for short cuts. And these are just part of the community of professionals who serve their clients here.
Bookings are made online. Upon arrival, customers get a warm welcome. A cup of coffee? A glass of mulled wine? A sip of prosecco? Everything is designed to make them feel at home, a task aided by the configuration of the space, a succession of small rooms decorated with repurposed furniture. In addition to the idea of an artistic community united around scissors and dryers, sustainability is another of the mottos on the agenda. Natural brands like Kevin Murphy are preferred. The Portuguese products come right after, with the highlight being the Algarve brand 8950.
The hall is also an art gallery, with successive photography, painting and collage exhibitions. Claudia Strobel, an artist and designer living between Berlin and Mação (in Santarém, Portugal), is on her way out. After January 15, the walls will be occupied by the photographer duo AL&K, specialising in portraits. Minds & More will feature some of their best work of the last decade. Everything is geared towards ensuring that this space continues to serve as a meeting point for customers and creatives, in an environment where music and art are just as important or more important than hair.
Rua Nova de São Mamede, 72A (Príncipe Real). 21 194 7644. Mon-Sat 10 am to 7 pm
