about small circle

Small Circle is an independent studio and shared creative space based in Port Elliot, South Australia.

It exists as a considered alternative to traditional salon culture — slower in pace, quieter in energy, and shaped around alignment rather than volume.

The space brings together contemporary hairdressing, curated retail, and flexible creative use under one roof. Not as a formula, but as a living environment that evolves, depending on the people who inhabit it.

It’s not designed to suit everyone.
It’s designed to feel right for those who value intention, detail, and a more grounded approach to both work and service.

the space

The studio is intentionally minimal and industrial, softened with texture, light, and contrast.

Custom steel structures, upcycled materials, muted lighting, and ambient sound shape the atmosphere. The design is functional but expressive — allowing different areas of the space to shift and adapt over time.

It’s a working space first, not a showroom.
The focus is on creating an environment that feels unique, calm, honest and usable rather than over-styled.

how the space works

Small Circle operates as a shared space for independent practitioners and creatives.

Rather than building a traditional team model, the intention is to gradually bring together aligned sole traders, collaborators, and brands who value autonomy, mutual respect, and shared environment.

This includes:

  • Independent hair professionals working within the studio

  • A rotating selection of small, considered Australian brands

  • Flexible use of the space for creative or client-based work

The aim is not growth for growth’s sake, but to allow the space to develop organically around the right people.

Small Circle was founded by Kieren, a hairdresser and barber with over 15 years of industry experience.

The business was designed from the ground up — from the physical space through to the systems, values, and service approach — with the intention of creating something more sustainable and more human than conventional salon models.

Kieren’s work focuses on contemporary, low-maintenance hair, thoughtful service, and one-on-one client experience.
The approach is personal, prescriptive, and intentionally slower in pace.

Above all, the aim is for the space to feel calm, honest, and welcoming — somewhere clients and collaborators can settle into rather than perform within.