Exploring New York City with O&M Founder Jose Bryce Smith

With Australia Day just around the corner, we’re considering some Aussie brands and people who have managed to make it big both in our island home and overseas. One such homegrown hero is the wonderful Jose Bryce Smith, the founder of  Australian natural hair care line Original & Mineral.

Original & Mineral have recently opened the doors to their newest salon in the Big Apple and are set to take the world by storm, one strand of hair at a time. We spoke to Original & Mineral founder Jose Bryce Smith about her favourite places to visit when she’s exploring New York City and about what’s new her fabulous world of hair.

RESCU: Where do you always take visitors to in New York?
Jose Bryce Smith: Balthazar in Soho, it’s my favourite lunchtime venue, the steak frites is a must. Balthazar’s cool sister Pastis is just around the corner from our salon in the Meatpacking District. Janelle (our Creative Director) and I have some of our best meetings there over a Bloody Mary.

RESCU: What is your favourite restaurant for a special night out?
Jose Bryce Smith: Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village. It’s an old NYC institution, followed by a visit to Employees Only for a cocktail and to see the psychic, we know each other well!

RESCU: And your favourite cheap eat?
Jose Bryce Smith: Wholefoods. I am obsessed by that store, they have great salad bars, breakfasts, juices, I could hang in there all day. I love the one at Union Square; there is always a growers market there on Saturdays too.  Food is such good quality in NYC and so inexpensive.

RESCU: Best place for a glamorous night out?
Jose Bryce Smith: When I am in NYC I am generally without my little ones and so it’s always great to have an excuse to get overdressed and go for cocktails on the the roof of the Standard in the Meatpacking District.

RESCU:  Best thing to do for under $50?
Jose Bryce Smith: Walking the High Line, it’s free and genius. It’s an old railway line that got converted in to a walk, you will pass DVF’s amazing glass studio, get a brilliant view of New York and meet some cool people along the way.

RESCU: Best luxury shopping destination?
Jose Bryce Smith: Soho, you can’t beat it, it’s got everything from Prada, Burberry,  McQueen, Westwood plus some of my high street favourites like Zara, J Crew and Club Monaco. I can never go to soho without cooling off at the Bliss Spa, it’s an oasis amongst shopping heaven.

RESCU: Best place to nab a bargain?
Jose Bryce Smith: Woodbury Common, it’s a bus or cab ride but it’s well worth it, it has all the luxury designer outlets. Head for Reed Krakoff, Valentino and Balenciaga, if you’re going to get a bargain, it may as well be a really good one

RESCU: You were recently picked up by Net A Porter. Was that a business ‘pinch me’ moment?
Jose Bryce Smith: Yes this was certainly a huge moment.  The global brand exposure of being on Net-a-porter is like no other.  I always say to my friends “it’s not how it looks on Facebook”, the journey is fun but can be bumpy, but this moment was one well worth waiting for.

RESCU: And finally, guide us through your ultimate New York weekend…
Jose Bryce Smith: I always stay with Janelle, our Creative Director who is based in NYC and we have the most fun. She has a great apartment right in the heart of the West Village a stone throw from Marc Jacobs, Mulberry and the Magnolia bakery.  Our weekends normally consist of up early on Saturday, I love to start the day with exercise and so a trip to The Bar Method in Soho is a favourite.  I am an obsessed pilates fan but when in NYC I always like to try something new and The Bar Method in Soho is my latest discovery, a cross between pilates and Ballet and it’s really hard. That or Soul Cycle is also great for getting your heart rate up and well loved by New Yorkers. I hear that underwater spinning is the latest craze…next time.