Step into KURO on the Meent where hair spa, curated brands and community meet

We spoke to Bianca van Zwieten, founder of KURO, about the opening of the new location on Meent 2, her vision on brand experience, and what you can expect from the new salon on Rotterdam’s most iconic shopping street.

Can you tell us something about the new location on Meent?

"The salon is located on a corner, with about fifteen metres of windows on Goudsesingel and eight metres on Meent. It’s a busy intersection where people flow in and out of the city. At the same time, it’s easy to reach by tram or train, with nearby parking garages offering affordable rates.

The street is home to unique shops and pioneering entrepreneurs who align with our identity. From specialty coffee to surf and niche stores, a matcha spot, Carhartt and Ace & Tate. It’s a vibrant neighbourhood where clients often make a day of it, combining their appointment with shopping or lunch. In my opinion, it’s the best part of the city.

Just like our current location, the salon has lots of natural light and street views. Clients love that. It gives the space a certain vibe. The new interior is more luxurious, but the large windows and familiar surroundings make it feel just as welcoming. We’re only moving about 100 metres down the street."

How does this move fit into your broader vision for KURO?

"Since KURO launched, we’ve always focused on high level service through expertise and treatments. But the experience didn’t fully align because of space limitations and the condition of the building. In the new location, everything comes together in a more luxurious setting.

We’re creating a place that inspires. With more attention to design and art, you’ll immediately feel that you’re in a space that sparks creativity and calm. It shouldn’t feel like just a salon. It should be a place where you want to stay, explore and feel at home. That’s how we build a KURO community. A space that reflects our taste and vision and invites clients to be part of it."

Will clients notice changes in the treatments themselves?

"Yes, we’re able to offer more peace and comfort now. There’s more space at the wash stations, with comfortable spa beds and waterfall faucets for a truly relaxing moment. We’re also adding a separate spa area, where you can enjoy your treatment without distraction.

The new space also allows for shared experiences. Previously, we couldn’t accommodate duos or small groups. Now, we can easily seat two or three friends next to each other. That matches how I want the salon to feel. Relaxed, spacious and welcoming. A true sense of community."

What can clients expect when they walk in? How is the vibe or service different?

"You enter through the bar, where we serve an expanded selection of coffee and matcha, along with light bites. There’s plenty of space to test products. We offer a wide range of hair pins and brushes and we’re introducing skincare from a carefully selected brand.

The treatments themselves are elevated to spa level. Every haircut now includes a ten minute head massage and nourishing mask in the spa area. After that, your stylist will take you to your seat. The layout offers more privacy and calm. There are workspaces if you need to catch up on emails, a large table for colour appointments and cosy corners to read or unwind. Everything is designed with comfort, attention and a refined, tranquil atmosphere in mind."

Can you share something about the interior design?

"Everything is custom made and cleverly designed to preserve space. A salon can easily become overcrowded, but we chose minimal work units with integrated storage. Power outlets and technical elements are hidden, as is the colour bar, so the space feels open and tidy.

The colour palette is soft blue, beige and pale yellow. We combine that with carefully selected vintage furniture in our brand colours. Many pieces are intentionally reused. For example, we’re refurbishing our existing wash beds because they’re high quality and fit KURO perfectly.

The waiting tables and front desk are complemented by vintage design pieces sourced via Whoppah. We’ve found beautiful chairs with adjustable heights for the main table. The base is minimalist by design, brought to life with colour and iconic vintage items. Think standout details like bright green or red stools. The result is a calm, spacious interior with just the right amount of energy and character."

Will the KURO Academy be part of the new space?

"Yes. The layout is flexible, with a large work table we can move to create open floor space. This allows us to host training sessions for larger groups using practice mannequins. With a ceiling height of about four metres, the front area is also perfect for photoshoots. By clearing the space, we can create an open studio for workshops, inspiration nights, drinks or networking events."

What are you personally most excited about?

"That we can finally scale up on weekends and no longer have to turn clients away. I’m looking forward to having an inspiring space where we can work with focus and flow and where I can spend more time on the floor without being held back by space or scheduling.

Just as important is the team feeling. Right now, some team members barely see each other because there’s not enough room to work together. Soon, we’ll be together more often. We’ll learn from each other, collaborate faster and pass on that shared energy to our clients."

What makes this move personally meaningful or exciting for you?

"To me, it doesn’t feel scary. It feels logical. I’m mostly just excited. I was ready for this next step. I hadn’t specifically envisioned a salon of this scale, in this location, with such a strong team but everything unfolded in a way that made it feel like a natural outcome.

What makes it special is that I get to build a beautiful brand with my team and show our vision more clearly than ever. We want to offer every client an individualised hair approach at a high level. It’s not about chasing a dream of the Meent for me. It’s about finding a place where brand, team and craft all come together. And this place feels just right."

Will the move bring any new offerings?

"Yes. We’re expanding into bridal. We’ll be able to host bridal parties and offer space for people who come along, like a mother in law or best friend. There’s room to drink tea together and try out a trial hairstyle. Until now, that was hardly possible. Soon, it will be.

I’m also toying with the idea of offering complete makeovers. We’ll start with a consultation and create a mood board to set the direction. Then you’ll receive a full service with cut, colour and care for a fixed price, all performed by a specialist." Want to experience the new KURO?