Less than two hours of getting ready, 24 models, 60 gowns and a 15-minute fashion show: This is New York Fashion Week, and DeKalb’s Studio One Salon and Spa, 1007 N. First St., got to be a part of it this year for the third time.

Studio One Salon and Spa celebrated its 35th anniversary in New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sept. 8 and 9. Store owner Jane Levinsky, along with four other Studio One stylists, prepared hair for the runway models for Venexiana, designer Kati Stern’s spring 2013 collection. Studio One was a part of the design team for Philip Pelusi, an exclusive USDA organic-based product of Tela Beauty Organics. The theme of Venexiana’s hair design was “Rock ’n Royalty,” and Studio One worked as a team to incorporate the runway look.

Philip Pelusi was recently awarded Best Couture Hair of Fashion Week by Modern Salon Magazine. Studio One was honored to be a part of the Philip Pelusi team.

“It was an incredible experience being in Fashion Week,” Levinsky said. “What you take back from it has reinforced a small town DeKalb-based salon and how well we work as a team.”

With Studio One celebrating 35 years of success, the business is still current and growing. The years have reinforced to Levinsky and her staff how important their profession is to clients.

“How you look, feel and how you present yourself to the world is why we’re here,” Levinsky said.

Most of Studio One’s clients consist of women, but there is still a good mix of men. There are many DeKalb county residents and NIU faculty and staff that use the services of Studio One; however, the employees would love if more NIU students visited. Levinsky said working with college students keeps them young, and they look forward to getting to know the next generation.

“It is like a therapy session when you share that personal and special relationship with your client,” Levinsky said.