Roberto Novo has styled the hair of a lot of stars. But during COVID-19, he's turned his gifts to the heads of lesser-known, older New Yorkers- and he's done it for free.
The Argentina-born stylist welcomes them to his Manhattan apartment or visits them in their homes. His two dogs keep everyone company. He calls his project "Free haircut and puppy love."
It started last summer when he and his dogs visited a client who had been isolated (隔离) for months due to COVID-19. Seeing how happy it made her, he asked if she had friends in her apartment building who might be interested in a free hairdo.
"It doesn't get any better than that — bring some joy to senior citizens in these hard times," Novo said. "People are really suffering in this situation right now. So if I can help them with a simple haircut, that's a gift."
On a recent day, Novo and his dogs walked into Madelon Spier's apartment and quickly turned the living room into a salon (美发厅). Sitting in a black chair, Spier waited to get her hair styled. "I think he's an amazing artist. And we're all pictures that he's painting," Spier said. "There's his personality (特色), and his way of cutting — a way of looking at a person and knowing what's right for them," said Spier.
Neighbor Andrew Langerman said Novo also gave him his first haircut in months. "I've just been so lonely during COVID-19," he said, and now, "I feel a lot better. I wasn't really feeling very well when I came here but then I felt great just being with everybody. And I had a good haircut."
As Novo finished a cut, he ordered pizzas that the group later shared. They talked and laughed.
"I always tell people if I die and I'm born again, I'll do everything exactly the same way," said Novo.
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