BUSINESS PROMOTION
Lunch
“I love the fact qaba pure blonde shampoo is
sulphate free and because of that my colour
does not fade. The qaba hair and scalp oil is
possibly the most unique product I have ever
used. My hair has never felt better
and always smells amazing,”
– Melanie Allan, recruitment consultant.
Rudy Marie, Julie Auger, Tanya Bird & Arthur Knight
WORKING
BENEFITS OF USING QABA:
• E xtreme shine and lustre for healthier hair.
• Stimulates blood circulation.
• Encourages hair growth.
• Nourishes hair and scalp.
• Tames fly-away hair.
• B alances oily hair and scalp.
• C oarse hair becomes more manageable.
• Infuses hair with pure essential oils.
• O ils can positively enhance and enrich
your daily life.
The chink of glasses, the hum of the kitchen and the general
chatter as friends, colleagues and strangers converse, the
working lunch is not a new phenomenon but rather a tradition
where people come together to talk about a common interest.
WORDS BY TANYA BIRD
Photography by Doug Drummond
O
n this occasion the discussion centred
around one thing – that there is no-one in
the world quite like you. Now, most people
accept there really isn’t anyone like them, however,
what would you say if there was a product that could
transform the way you feel inside and out simply
because of what it is?
To quote Richard Wagner, “joy is not in things,
it’s in us”, is fitting when you are discussing qaba
the next generation in hair product. Not only is qaba
an experience – it is a lifestyle and ethical choice.
And for Melbourne-born hairdresser Arthur Knight,
the brainchild behind it, he would not have it any
other way.
“We wanted to create a uniquely different hair
product,” he goes on to explain. “Most product
brands on the market are the same – with many using
the same cheap ingredients to bulk out their products,
which in some cases can lead to dry and itchy scalps
and more serious conditions such as hair loss. It is
about a lifestyle. At qaba we make less profit than the
big companies, but our vision is to offer no-nonsense
products that make you look and feel good.”
Arthur says another point, which sets qaba apart,
is the fact it has no sodium lauryl sulfate, which is
a form of detergent and commonly used in hair
products. As well as cleansing, it makes foam, hence
why it is frequently used as the base for shampoos,
soaps and toothpaste and even other products such
as car and dish washing products. He describes it as a
“stripping agent” that can damage hair and reduce
its lustre.
With a passion for the smallest detail, thoughtful
attention and a love of perfection, Arthur sheepishly
admits it took nine years to develop qaba, which
is now available in 30 salons throughout Australia
and exclusively in far north Queensland at Jewel on
Grafton. The first product to be completed was the
trademark hair and scalp oil, which penetrates the hair
in four seconds. “Like eating well, anything from the
earth is good for you. We removed all those irritating
ingredients to ensure a product that is 100 percent
natural with active ingredients that work instantly,”
Arthur adds.
On this point, Rudy Marie, director of Jewel on
Grafton, nods enthusiastically. Together with Julie
Auger, his life and business partner, Rudy feels qaba
ticks all the boxes. “When it comes to health, lifestyle,
the environment and beautiful hair, these important
elements, as well as the fact it is Australian-made,
closely align with our business philosophy.”
For Julie, who also spends a great deal of time
working with her sister Janine in their fashion
boutique Shine by Val Carne, offering an alternative
to the norm is extremely important to her. Known for
showcasing up and coming Australian designers in
the boutique, which is located at Cairns Central, Julie
believes there is a real need to promote and support
products that are genuinely home grown.
This is a point Arthur also feels very strongly
about. He says his entire range, with the exception
of the oils, which cannot be grown year-round in
Australia and his first-grade teas sourced from China,
everything is made in Melbourne. This is a unique and
costly step for a manufacturer but when it comes to
control, Arthur feels he is best able to drive product
development as well as quality from his home town.
“We are a small family business. We are and never
will be about mass production and we only supply
qaba to salons we feel are on the same path as
us with the same beliefs. These beliefs are to have
respect for the body, respect for animals and respect
for the environment.”
Arthur says everything qaba does is also recyclable.
He even encourages clients to return their empty
Qaba is available exclusively from Jewel on Grafton Hair Boutique on the corner of Aplin and
Grafton Street. Contact 4041 4130 or visit www.jewelongrafton.com for more information.
58 www.citylifemag.com.au
bottles to their salons to be reused. “Even our delivery
boxes are recycled – we do not believe in waste at
qaba,” he says. Athur has also established ‘qaba cares’,
with every qaba purchase equaling a donation to the
charity. Its first project is the qaba education centre in
Penang, Malaysia for under privileged kids in need.
As our conversation moves to more general topics,
we turn to the delicious food prepared by the expert
culinary team at Salt House under the watchful eye of
head chef Richard Keeley. Perfect for a long leisurely
afternoon, the restaurant’s five-course degustation
menu with matching wine is a discussion point in itself.
To whet our appetites we were served an oyster
shot with a bloody mary agwa. With plenty of kick,
this was the perfect way to start our meal. However,
even we were not prepared for the delicious courses
that were to come our way over the course of the next
two hours.
Richard admits he is a perfectionist and when it
comes to specialised menus, he enjoys the challenge
of meshing fresh, local produce with delicious,
fruity wines. On this occasion, we were served the
2008 Vavasour ‘The Pass’ sauvignon blanc from the
Marlborough region in New Zealand, with its vibrant
passion fruit and melon characters.
Between courses, Arthur is happy to share the
philosophy behind qaba, which is to provide a unique
and different way of treating the hair and scalp. He
explains only one shampoo and conditioner is needed
for all hair types, with the exception of those who are
blonde, due to the nature and quality of the hair and
oil treatment. “It is about reeducation – throwing out
the old and accepting the new. You do not need all of
the stuff, it is just too confusing and over complicates
what should be a very simple and enjoyable process,”
he laughs.
There is no doubt Arthur and Jewel on Grafton
are leading the way when it comes to hair innovation.
With his natural oils, leave-in treatments, styling
products, shampoo and conditioners, perfume,
lifestyle and tea products, qaba is an all natural, all
encompassing alternative to what is currently available
in the market.
Enthusiastically Julie and Rudy speak of the
excitement and passion the introduction of qaba has
injected into the salon with their friendly team passing
on this enthusiasm to their clients with great feedback
resulting in beautiful hair.
Rudy and the team would like to invite you to
enjoy a qaba experience at Jewel on Grafton.
MENU OF THE DAY
Oyster shot with a bloody mary agwa
Bruschetta with locally caught tuna tartare,
capers, tomato and avocado salsa
Brioche crumbed locally made borrata
with fresh figs and dates, candied walnuts,
vincotto dressing
Lamb assiette
• Vanilla smoked, mustard crumbed
double cutlet, confit sweet potato
• Lamb fillet stuffed with macadamia
and basil pesto, tomato salsa
• Lamb shank rillet, truffle pastry, eggplant
caviar, peppercorn and whisky sauce
Salt House dessert tasting plate
2008 Vavasour ‘The Pass’ sauvignon blanc,
Marlborough, NZ, with vibrant passion fruit
and melon characters and well balanced acidity
Every qaba product purchased equals a donation to qaba Cares. Its first project is the qaba education centre
in Penang, Malaysia for under privileged kids in need. To find out more go to www.youtube.com/qabacares.
October 2010 59