Whip Blow Dry Bar + Salon Commissions Local Artists Mike Cerullo and Yedi Fresh to Create Ridgefield’s Most Elaborate Graffiti Mural at Whip Underground.
Whip Blow Dry Bar + Salon opened last fall in downtown Ridgefield and recently expanded its services introducing a medi spa called “Whip Underground.” The medi spa is also located at 23 Governor Street, just downstairs from the salon.
Amy Pal, the Ridgefield entrepreneur who successfully introduced and sold two JoyRide spin studios in Ridgefield and Wilton, is Whip’s founder and wanted a way to transition to the Underground from the salon that would create a real WOW factor. “I wanted to create a kind of “Alice in Wonderland” experience leading to the spa to differentiate it from the salon and to just have some fun with the space. I had worked with Mike Cerullo in the past so I contacted him to see what he thought about it and it was his idea to bring Yedi Fresh to the project.”
“I've been painting graffiti on and off for about 15 years or so and this is my third project commissioned by Amy Pal for a commercial space,” said Mike Cerullo. “I will do anything from canvas or a logo design, to commissioned murals but I would say my biggest inspiration now is seeing the progression of other artists similar to me. You have to keep with the times and make progress to stay current. Working with my peers is always inspiring and I often collaborate with Yedi Fresh.”
“I’m really a cartoonist that goes big,” said Yedi Fresh. “I typically do storytelling, character design, album covers, murals, illustration work and I really enjoyed working on this mural. The thing I like about this piece is how it's almost an interactive experience the way it wraps around you! Mike Cerullo is an incredible talent and it’s really fun to unite different styles.”
The Whip Underground mural spans the entire stairwell and is completely covered in graffiti imagery. It took the duo more than 3 weeks to complete and definitely achieves setting the stage to enter the spa. Since Cerullo and Yedi Fresh have different yet complementary styles, the outcome is spectacular and gives the viewer so much to take in, with new surprises the more time you spend looking at it.
“The Whip Underground mural was challenging to be totally honest,” said Cerullo. “Working two people in a space that is very confined, along with two sets of stairs, and a 90 degree hallway, is definitely not easy. That makes the finished product that much more rewarding.”
“I’m beyond thrilled with how it came out,” said Pal, “obsessed really! I don’t tend to give too much direction because Cerullo and Yedi Fresh are so creative I like to see what they come up with. There’s certainly a nod to the salon in the elements and characters. It really just has to be seen in person to understand the impact.”
The two artists are available for commission and have projects coming up. Cerullo has a larger scale commissioned painting and Yedi Fresh working on a mural for CHAMPS BOXING in Danbury as well as an album cover.
Whip Underground
“Whip Underground” opened June 9th, 2017 in a newly renovated downstairs space at Whip Salon, 23 Governor Street in the heart of downtown. Services can already be booked online or by phone at 203-442-6444. Whip Underground will initially provide two kinds of services: Lash Extension and Cosmetic Injections & Fillers. Lash Extensions will include three tiers: Classic and two types of Volume Lashes: 2D/3D and Russian. The Medi Spa services will include treatments using Allergan (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) and Galderna (Restalyne and Dysport) as well as Microblading appointments for cosmetic tattooing of eyebrows.
About Whip Salon
Whip Salon is committed to offering top quality blowouts, cuts, color and makeup. A full service salon, Whip provides services for women, men and children in a friendly, hip environment. Whip is focused on great customer service and ease of booking. Appointments may be booked by phone, online at whipsalon.com, or using the Whip Salon mobile app for iOS and Android. Appointments for Lash Extensions as well as Botox and are now bookable online at www.whipsalon.com by clicking through to Whip Underground, emailing info@whipsalon.com or by calling 203.442.6444. The first available appointments will be on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th.