Carrying a Philadelphia Beauty Legacy Forward: Pileggi Wins Best Color for 2026

There are some awards that feel especially personal, and this is certainly one of them.

I am incredibly proud to announce that Pileggi on the Square has been named a 2026 Philadelphia Style Best of Style winner for Best Color.

In its Best of Style issue, Philadelphia Style described our salon this way:

“Known for personalized consultations and advanced coloring techniques, this Philadelphia salon specializes in customized, long-lasting color services tailored to each client.”

That description captures so much of what we work to deliver every day: personal attention, technical excellence and beautiful results created specifically for the individual sitting in our chair.

For me, however, this recognition represents something even greater. It is a celebration of our team, our guests and the legacy of a Philadelphia salon that has been part of this city’s beauty community since 1975.

Taking on a Legacy During an Uncertain Time

I acquired Pileggi on the Square in June 2020, during one of the most uncertain periods the beauty industry—and the world—had ever experienced.

Taking ownership of an established salon is always a tremendous responsibility. Taking ownership in the middle of a global pandemic brought challenges none of us could have anticipated. Salons were closed, the future was unclear and the way we served our guests had to be completely reimagined.

Still, I saw something special in Pileggi.

I saw a salon with history, name recognition and generations of guests who had made it part of their lives. I saw a legacy worth protecting and an opportunity to thoughtfully build upon it. Most importantly, I saw the potential to bring together an exceptional team that could recapture the energy and reputation of the salon while creating a new chapter for the future.

My goal was never to erase what came before me. It was to honor the foundation that had already been created, restore the best parts of the Pileggi experience and introduce a more modern vision of beauty, service, education and guest care.

Reimagining What the Pileggi Experience Could Be

Over the past six years, we have worked carefully and intentionally to move Pileggi forward.

We have expanded our team, invested in advanced education, introduced new services and technologies, elevated the guest experience and continued to refine the way we approach consultations, color and hair health. We have also expanded our definition of beauty beyond the traditional salon visit through advanced hair treatments, scalp care, wellness services and personalized home-care recommendations.

Through every change, one principle has remained at the center of our work: the guest must always feel seen, heard and cared for.

A great salon experience is about more than completing a service. It begins with listening. It requires understanding a guest’s lifestyle, personal style, hair history, maintenance preferences and long-term goals. It means being honest about what is possible, protecting the health and integrity of the hair and creating a plan that works beyond the day of the appointment.

That personalized approach is especially important in hair color.

Why This Best Color Award Means So Much

Hair color has always been one of the most creative and technically demanding parts of our industry. It requires artistry, chemistry, precision, communication and the ability to see not only what the hair looks like today, but what it can become over time.

At Pileggi, we do not believe in one-size-fits-all color.

Every color appointment begins with a professional consultation. Our colorists consider the guest’s natural coloring, hair texture, condition, previous color history, desired result and commitment to maintenance. From there, we create an individualized plan designed to deliver beautiful, wearable and long-lasting results.

For one guest, that may mean seamless gray coverage that looks rich and natural. For another, it may be dimensional brunette color, luminous blonding, balayage, highlights, lowlights, glossing or a complete color transformation. Sometimes the best result is dramatic. Other times, it is so natural and well blended that it simply looks like the guest’s hair—only better.

Regardless of the service, our priority is always to protect the integrity of the hair. We use professional color, bond-building and treatment systems selected to support strength, condition, shine and manageability. We will never recommend a service simply because it is trendy if it is not the right choice for the guest or the health of their hair.

Receiving Best Color recognition from Philadelphia Style validates the care, education and intention our team brings to every formula and every appointment.

Two Philadelphia Style Awards in One Year

This is also our second Philadelphia Style recognition of 2026.

Earlier this year, we were honored for Best Anti-Aging Treatments, recognizing the continued growth of our beauty and wellness offerings. Now, being named Best Color celebrates the foundation of what we have always been known for: exceptional salon services delivered with skill, creativity and personal care.

To receive recognition in both categories is especially exciting because it reflects where Pileggi is today.

We are honoring the traditions of a salon that has served Philadelphia for more than 50 years while continuing to evolve with the changing needs of our guests. We are bringing together hair, beauty, scalp care and wellness in ways that help people look better, feel more confident and care for themselves at every stage of life.

To me, that is the future of the beauty industry—and it is the future we are building at Pileggi.

The Team Behind the Recognition

While I am proud to serve as the owner and creative director of Pileggi on the Square, this award belongs to our entire team.

I am fortunate to work alongside a talented group of professionals who bring their own experience, creativity and perspective to the salon. They continue to learn, collaborate and challenge themselves to grow. They share formulas, exchange ideas, support one another and remain committed to giving our guests the very best experience possible.

Great color does not happen because of one person. It happens because of a strong salon culture.

It comes from ongoing education, thoughtful consultations, technical discipline and a team that genuinely cares about the outcome. It also comes from the people working behind the scenes—our front desk and support team—who help create a seamless experience from the moment a guest contacts us until the moment they leave the salon.

I could not be prouder of what this team has accomplished.

Together, we have worked to recapture the legacy of Pileggi, strengthen its place in Philadelphia’s beauty community and create a salon environment that respects its history while confidently moving forward.

Thank You to Our Guests

Most of all, I want to thank our guests.

Some have been visiting Pileggi for decades and have watched the salon evolve through different eras. Others discovered us after I acquired the salon in 2020 and have become an important part of our next chapter.

Every appointment booked, every referral made, every product purchased and every kind review has helped us rebuild and grow. Your trust gives our team the opportunity to do what we love, and your support has allowed this Philadelphia salon legacy to continue.

When someone chooses a colorist, they are placing a tremendous amount of trust in that professional. Hair is personal. It affects how we see ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world. We never take that responsibility lightly.

Thank you for trusting us with your hair, your milestones, your transformations and sometimes simply the little refresh that helps you feel like yourself again.

Honoring the Past While Creating the Future

When I took ownership in June 2020, I knew rebuilding the salon would take time, patience and a clear vision. I also knew Pileggi deserved the opportunity to once again be recognized among Philadelphia’s best.

This award feels like an important moment in that journey.

It acknowledges the legacy we inherited, the work our team has done and the standard we are setting for the future. It reminds us that preserving a legacy does not mean standing still. It means understanding what made a business special, protecting those qualities and then having the courage to help it evolve.

More than 50 years after Pileggi first opened its doors, we are still creating, learning and welcoming new generations of guests. We are proud of where we have been, proud of how far we have come and incredibly excited about what is ahead.

On behalf of our entire team, thank you to Philadelphia Style for naming Pileggi on the Square a 2026 Best of Style winner for Best Color.

We are honored to carry this legacy forward—and we look forward to continuing to provide Philadelphia with the very best in hair color, beauty and personalized salon care.

Experience Award-Winning Hair Color in Philadelphia

Whether you are looking for dimensional color, highlights, balayage, blonding, natural gray coverage, a rich all-over shade or a complete color transformation, our team will create a personalized plan designed around you.

We invite you to experience the next chapter of this Philadelphia salon legacy.

Kevin Gatto
Owner and Creative Director
Pileggi on the Square Salon

717 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-627-0565
Text: 215-999-9440
Book your appointment at PileggiSalon.com