Paloma Rose Garcia-Campo, Rose Bay, NSW
Images by Terence Chin
This week we visit the endlessly inspiring Paloma Rose Garcia-Campo at her sunny apartment nestled in the treetops of a quiet street in Sydney’s Rose Bay. We first met Paloma as the owner of one of Sydney’s best salons aptly named, PALOMA, and over the years have come to know her as a proud mother to her two boys, Teddy & Charlie, and a fierce advocate for climate change and First Nations rights. We sat down with Paloma to talk about art, motherhood and the vision for the next evolution of her salon.
Draped over Paloma’s couch is an IN BED Alpaca Throw in rust.
“We’ve been living in this apartment for five years now. I remember the first time I walked in, the huge windows, natural light, high ceilings and natural outlook was everything I was looking for. My home is my sanctuary. It’s my zen, my slow place. I often have records or soft slow music playing, I have no down lights in the whole apartment which I love, so lighting is always soft and low. Incense or candles always burning and TV on is a rarity. Over the years my apartment has been given the nickname ‘the treehouse’ which I love.”
Paloma’s bed is dressed in a duvet cover and pillow slips in terracotta and extra pillow slips in bone, all from the IN BED gauze collection made entirely in Europe using GOTS certified cotton yarn. Paloma’s set is paired back with IN BED white flat and fitted sheets in 100% linen.
“Until I got creative with my linen, my bedroom has always been all white... White linen bed frame, bedding, light and wardrobe. It has a huge bay window which I love. Two very special art pieces by Del Katheryn Barton and Jedda Daisy Culley, they’re in contrast to the simplicity of the rest of the room which I love.”
“Art is a huge part of my life, it always has been. Growing up it was the main thing that connected me to school, it was a way of expressing my creativity until I found hairdressing. So naturally I still paint, draw and have picked up some beautiful and really meaningful pieces throughout my life.”
Art is a huge part of my life, it always has been.
“My first real art purchase was one of Leah Fraser’s watercolours, she’s a very good friend and a magical painter. I have a large work by William Hardenin my living room that I bought in my early 20’s from China’s Heights gallery and two pieces by Jedda Daisy Culley; an artist and woman I love and admire very much. Gabrielle Penfold’s beautiful beach scene sits in my living room and a watercolour by my close friend Anouk Colantoni made from a picture of me and my children at a Climate Change rally in January 2020. I recently added a large framed map of Indigenous Australia. I think every house should have one on their walls, it’s the real map of Australia.”
“I love the quiet of living in Rose Bay. We don’t really know anyone around us apart from our great neighbours in the building. So when we are home, we are home and never racing off anywhere. I love the water down at Rose bay, nice little walks and scooter trips with the kids down there. The Hermitage walk in Vaucluse is a special one and we are a stone throw from Bondi beach which we frequent. We have great little idyllic corner shops at Plumer Road, they have some great lebanaese food which is always my fall-back!”
“I started working in salons at the age of twelve, although my memories of being drawn to hair started much earlier. I started as a Saturday girl throughout high school, by year ten I was working every school holidays at one of Australia’s best salons at the time, Synergy in Darlinghurst. I started my hairdressing apprenticeship the day after I finished my last HSC exam. I was at Synergy for three years before working with Oscar Oscar as a stylist and at twenty six I purchased fifty-percent of the salon in Paddington and really started my journey as a business owner. Three years ago I bought my ex-business partner out and PALOMA was born. My real dream became a reality.”
I started working in salons at the age of twelve, although my memories of being drawn to hair started much earlier.
“I think of PALOMA as more than just a hair salon. We make our guests feel seen and believe in their own value through cut, colour and ritual. The PALOMA experience seeks to harmonise hair, mind and soul through skillful styling, good energy and holistic practice. We take a sensory approach to self-care that goes beyond aesthetics and believe in creating looks for all that modern life demands.”
Paloma has become increasingly involved with advocacy and the arts. A long-time supporter of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, her focus over the past few years has broadened to include climate change and cultural injustice.
“I joined the youngest benefactor program (ATELIER) at the Art Gallery of New South Wales five years ago to be more involved in the arts and this was the beginning of my philanthropic path. I loved being more connected with the creative community and during this time also became very passionate about bringing attention to climate related issues and cultural injustice, in particular the gap we have in our country with our nation’s First people and work that we need to do in both areas to harmonise a better life for all. My ex, the father of my children, myself and my two sons are at every rally together marching and standing for what is right in this world. I am proud to be working towards a better world for everyone.”
In addition to running a business and finding time to support various causes, Paloma’s most important role is being a mum to her two young boys.
"Teddy is twelve, Charlie seven, my two beautiful sons. Raising these boys is by far the most challenging thing in my life. My ex and I get on so well, share the same values and see eye to eye on our decision making around them. We have had support the last few years by an incredible child psychologist as there really is no manual on parenting kids. I value this so much. She has taught us more about our children, their needs, and the best approach to supporting our youngest with his ADHD and assisting Teddy in a change of school last year and his hormone levels! I always say help only helps."
Paloma’s bed is dressed in a duvet cover and pillow slips in terracotta and extra pillow slips in bone, all from the IN BED gauze collection made entirely in Europe using GOTS certified cotton yarn. Paloma’s set is paired back with IN BED white flat and fitted sheets in 100% linen.
For the rest of 2021 I’m hoping for a consistent year for my children hopefully without disruption. A full heart. Exploring our country. A conscious and progressive roll out of our new PALOMA branding. And happiness, always my number one.