AKS Chicago
Studio in Chicago, IL
Antje Kastner-Panya founded AKS Chicago at 4222 N. Ravenswood Ave., Unit 106, and works there as owner, master stylist and educator. The space is sunlit, with large windows and plants. Hair services are by appointment only, and the salon is gratuity-free, so tipping is not expected. Studio hours are Monday 11 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday 9 am to 2 pm, Wednesday and Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 12 pm, with Thursday and Sunday closed.
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Antje Kastner-Panya founded AKS Chicago at 4222 N. Ravenswood Ave., Unit 106, and works there as owner, master stylist and educator. The space is sunlit, with large windows and plants. Hair services are by appointment only, and the salon is gratuity-free, so tipping is not expected. Studio hours are Monday 11 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday 9 am to 2 pm, Wednesday and Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 12 pm, with Thursday and Sunday closed.
The core menu covers color, cutting, perms and upstyling. Color + Style is $285 and includes shampoo, color and finish, and the site describes it as best suited to maintenance color. Full Service Color + Cut is $350 and adds a precision cut. Precision cuts are offered without a listed price. A $40 fringe trim or dry cut suits keeping a style between full cuts, trimming bangs or necklines, or reshaping while hair grows out. Perms are $375 and include a cut and a choice of an air-dried finish or a vintage set. An upstyle is $200 with shampoo, a blow-dry or set, and an updo, and a no blow-dry option is available. Eyebrow tinting, eyebrow tweezing and eyelash tinting are offered as add-ons only.
Vintage-inspired looks from the 1920s to the 1960s, updated with contemporary touches, are a particular focus of the work. Blog posts by Antje cover salon culture and sustainability, and a quarterly newsletter shares stories, photos, lessons and product recommendations.
Creative collaborations include editorial and commercial work, theater productions, special events and workshops. Project work covers theater, film and photography and can be booked as a full day, a half day or a do-and-go shoot, at the studio or on location. Project inquiries are submitted through a form. According to the site, featured work has appeared in Time Out Chicago, Chicago Magazine and Modern Salon.
Works one client at a time, bringing decades of craft and a modern, art-driven outlook. Sustainability is treated as part of the process, with mindful methods and considered product choices.
A sunlit studio with large windows and plants.
Services
Final prices may vary.
Eyebrow tinting and eyebrow tweezing, both offered only as add-ons.
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Eyebrow Tint (add-on) Price at booking
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Eyebrow Tweeze (add-on) Price at booking
Color + Style at $285, including shampoo, color and finish, described as suited to maintenance color.
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Color + Style $285
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Full Service: Color + Cut $350
Full Service Color + Cut at $350, including shampoo, color, precision cut and finish.
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Fringe Trim and/or Dry Cut $40
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Precision Cut Price at booking
Eyelash tinting, available only as an add-on.
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Eyelash Tint (add-on) Price at booking
Perm at $375, including shampoo, perm, cut and a choice of an air-dried finish or a vintage set.
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Perm $375
Upstyle at $200, including shampoo, a blow-dry or set and an updo, with a no blow-dry option.
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Upstyle $200
Photos
Meet the team
Team members listed on their website. Individual roles, credentials, and current employment have not been independently verified.akschicago.com (opens in a new tab)
- Highlights
- Shampoo and conditioner bars in place of bottled products
- Minimal use of plastic, extensions and wigs
- Vintage-inspired looks from the 1920s to 1960s with contemporary touches
- Fringe trim or dry cut at $40 for upkeep between full cuts
- Upstyle with a no blow-dry option
- Theater, film and photo shoots bookable as full day, half day or do-and-go
- Good for
- Maintenance color
- Vintage-inspired styling
- Updos and bridal styling
- Trims between full cuts
- Theater, film and photo projects
- Clients who prefer sustainable product choices
- Treats
- Color maintenance
- Trims between cuts
- Growing out hair
- Eyebrow shaping
- Eyelash tinting
- Vintage-style updos
- Techniques
- Vintage set
- Air-dried finish
- Perms
- Precision cutting
- Dry cutting
- Blow-dry
- Updo styling
- Eyebrow tinting
- Eyebrow tweezing
- Eyelash tinting
Products & treatments
- Shampoo bars
- Conditioner bars