Former New York City Hair Stylist Sets up Shop in Oswego at Privato Salon

Just about 12 years ago, hair stylist Francesca D’Ambrosio set off to New York City because she felt that there was something out there for her.

She found that something.

D’Ambrosio made a home at Bumble and bumble Salon in New York City, where she did editorial work for fashion magazines and appeared regularly at NYC Fashion Week.

She eventually became educator at Bumble and bumble University where she taught salon owners, managers, and stylists from all over the world.

After five years she moved on to be the director of education at Cutler Salons and while there was featured on two seasons of ''Make me a Supermodel,” styled hair for "The View", "The Today Show", "The Rachel Ray Show", and later traveled to LA to do red carpet hair for the 2009 Grammys.

And then, D’Ambrosio made it to Oswego, Illinois to open up Privato Salon.

The Naperville native said her family was constantly asking her to come home to visit more often. “You’re sitting there all alone on Christmas. Come visit,” D’Ambrosio recalled.

So the hair stylist packed a suitcase and came home to visit in July 2011. She had been interested in light boxing and made it to Rocket Boxing in Oswego to get some practice in.

“And it was love at first sight,” she said of seeing head coach Chris Chodhary, who she is now happily married to.

So D’Ambrosio packed up her life in New York City and moved to Oswego with the intent to try opening her own salon.

“I’m this at heart,” she said, gesturing out the salon window at the quiet and quaint streets of downtown Oswego. “I consider this my home.”

D’Ambrosio had looked for locations in Naperville by her family, but found a spot with several other stylists above the Tap House Grill in Oswego in March 2012. She named her salon “Privato Salon” as she wanted to impress upon the private atmosphere of her salon.

“I’ve worked in such large, factory like salons,” she said. “I don’t want my clients to feel like they’re on an assembly line.”

In March 2013 she officially moved Privato Salon to 20 Main Street, where she designed the salon in monotone sweeps of black and white, with gold accents and modern décor.

“I did want to bring a slice of NYC to Oswego. It’s very chic, loft-like,” said D’Amborsio, who was inspired by many of the photo shoots and magazine layouts she had worked with.

From a young age D’Ambrosio knew she wanted to be a stylist. “It probably started when I cut my sister’s hair off when I was five,” she said with a laugh.

She became a receptionist for a salon and spa in Naperville and said she learned a lot about the business side of the job, but her real passion was to be the stylist.

“I loved checking clients out as their demeanor completely changed from when they walked in. They had a bounce in their walk. I wanted to be a part of that.”

And now that she’s the owner and head stylist of her own salon in Oswego,  does she miss the big New York City lifestyle?

“If I had known it would be like this, I would have come back here and done this years ago,” said D’Ambrosio.  “It’s been wonderful. Everyone has been so welcoming and I love my clients.”

The one part to note is D’Ambrosio requests parents to not bring their children.

“I want my clients to feel like they’re walking into my home where they can be comfortable,” said D’Amborsio. “I ask them not to bring their kids so they can have time to just be themselves. They appreciate that.”

Appointments at this time are by appointment only, which can be made by calling the salon or registering online.

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